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Use voice chat to practice speaking the language you are learning with a native speaker
anywhere in the world. We provide free, helpful guidelines and tips on how to do a language exchange,
as well as free lesson plans designed by an
expert in
language exchange learning. The activities are fun so you can easily "break the ice" with your
new learning partner and get effective practice.
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The Basics
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What is a language exchange?
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Why do a language exchange?
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How to do a language exchange?
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Sign up now - add your free profile!
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Voice Chat Programs
Note, the voice chat room service on our site has been discontinued by our
providers. Instead, we recommend you use one of the following free downloadable voice chat programs.
But of course, you can use any chat program you want. It is only necessary that both you and
your language exchange partner use the same voice chat program.
Skype is a free downloadable,
real-time voice and text chat communications program. We recommend it, because
- It has perhaps the best voice quality available anywhere (very important for foreign language practice!).
The quality is better than that of telephones and is perhaps the best of any Internet voice program.
- It works with any firewall.
- It is available in 17 languages: Danish, Dutch, Estonian, English, Finnish, German, French, Hebrew, Japanese,
Korean, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Swedish.
- It is very easy to install and use.
Using Skype, you can have private simultaneous voice and text chat with up to four other people.
Skype requires a Windows 2000 or XP computer, Mac OS X or Linux computer or a Pocket PC.
For more information or to download a free copy of Skype, please visit the Skype website
here.
Paltalk
is a free downloadable program that enables simultaneous voice and text
chat. We recommend Paltalk because of its good voice quality.
Also, it only requires a Windows 98 or later PC.
Paltalk System Requirements
- Windows 98/ME/NT4/2000/XP/2003
- 166MHz processor with 16MB of RAM
- Internet connection (28.8kbps minimum)
- Full-duplex sound card required (for Audio)
- Microphone/Speakers/Headset (for Audio)
Download Paltalk.
How to Practice a Foreign Language Using Voice Chat
After you have installed Skype or another voice chat program, do this to start practicing.
- If you don't have a language exchange partner yet, find one here.
- Arrange to meet your partner at a certain time and chat room. (You can easily create and name your own private room in Paltalk.)
- Review the practice tips and guidelines How to do a language exchange.
- At the time of your practice session, meet your partner in the designated chat room.
- With a browser, come to this page and log in as a member.
- Launch the chat companion to access the lesson plans and your own member notepad.
- Choose a lesson plan from the drop-down menu (lessons are available in English, French, Spanish, German, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese and Korean)
and start practicing! Record new vocabulary,
slang and expressions in your searchable nember notepad located in the lower half of
the chat companion.
Find a Voice Chat Partner Now
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Member Testimonials
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"My language exchange is working wonderfully."
..."We couldn't be happier with the exchange. Thank you for setting it all up.
Thank you for everything."
- John C., New York, United States
"It has been a great experience for me so far."
..."this is my #1 favorite online site. Thanks."
- United States
..."I'll be using your site to practice my French, and I'll
recommend it to everyone I know.
- Katerina Vallianatos, ESL Teacher, U.S.A.
..."Cela fait environ un mois que je cherche des sites
de ce genre sans en rencontrer un à mon goût. Je vous félicite vraiment et vous remercie beaucoup.
Continuer votre beau travail."
- Paskoila, St-jean (Québec) Canada
"I recommended your site to my Spanish professors and other
students. I think it's a great idea!" ..."I will use it more in the
future as a teacher. Thanks."
- United States
..."finally something useful on the Internet."
- Niel Smith, Silicon Valley, California, U.S.A.
Read the full testimonials
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English