Benefits of learning a language via Skype
Friday, 16th October 2009
Skype is certainly one of the most popular and useful internet-related developments. Using Skype has advantages for many people, but language learners in particular can benefit from its global reach and cost-effectiveness.
Skype is a free program that enables you to chat to people all over the world for free, as long as they also have an internet connection and Skype. You can use it like a phone and call other Skype users, and if you both have webcams, you can do video calls as well.
It also has a text chat function which you can use to have conversations with people when they’re unable to use the voice or video options, or to clarify particular words, to share links and emails, and so on during a voice/video call. Your text chats are saved, which is handy if you want to look over them again and to revise the vocabulary or grammar used. There are even extensions for Skype that can record your voice and video calls, which can be very useful.
Skype can also be used to call ordinary phones anywhere in the world. This costs money, but is cheaper than making normal international calls.
You could search for people who speak the language you’re learning via Skype and send them a message asking if they’re interesting in language exchange. You can also find potential language exchange partners via language exchange sites such as My Language Exchange and The Mixxer. The advantage of using language exchange sites is that you may be able to find not only people who speak the relevant language, but also people with similar interests to you.
Many language tutors and training companies offer language lessons via Skype. This type of lesson can be tailored to your needs and interests and take place at a time convenient for you without you having to leave the comfort of your home.
There are many chat rooms and groups on Skype where language learners and native speakers get together to practise/speak their languages. You can find such groups via the Skype community forum, and even start your own.
Tags: english, spanish, learning, italian, tailor-made, languages, language, french. german, skype
Posted by Simon Ager under Attitudes to Language Learning, Types of Courses,
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