Video Chat

[manifold]

It's all great, of course, - discussing topics in forums and chatting online by ICQ or something. The problem is, however, that we can't see, and what is infinitely worse, hear each other. Hearing the language is essential if one wants to progress in learning English. A visiual contact brings much more than smiles. To add up, it makes more sense to chat with a webcam and a head-set on.
That's why the following question:
Does anybody (in this forum) have a webcam and a high-speed conection to have a video chat (or at least audio chat)?
I understand, that not everyone can afford or has that sort of equipment. But for those, who do, this idea should be worth thinking of.
(I myself don't have a webcam yet, but I'm going to buy it just for this purpose - to learn English and help others to learn it, too.)
It would be great to see people, who have the same interests and are miles away from you.
Please, tell me what you think of this.

 

[Tdol]

The great problem here is bandwidth- there's very little in the way of sound, much less video. These things are available but at a price.;-)

 

[manifold]

Hm...But is it perhaps still worth trying (at least audio chat)?...Have you tried it yet?...I long to hear an English speech and have a talk in English with anybody.

 

[Tdol]

It's an interesting idea. It might be possible to organise, but there would be the problem of time differences. maybe we could arrange a regular time when an audio slot could be set up. ;-)

 

[manifold]

Well, if it's possible, I think we should go for it...
What if we organise a private chatroom on Yahoo?...We'll use Yahoo Messenger then.

 

[Tdol]

Does Yahoo do sound? ;-)

 

[manifold]

Yes, of course!
Yahoo Messenger is a perfect tool for online communication.
I've already tried it out, but most of users in Yahoo chatrooms are impolite and foolish, they constantly interrupt each other and talk nonsense. Calling names is a common practice there (some even get to microphone being pissed off...so no normal chat is possible...it's a total abuse of the service). That's why I spoke of a private chatroom. For serious users, however, it's perfect.
One can have video, voice, text chat there, and file exchange is also possible. Just download Yahoo Messenger and find out...but you should have a mic for voice and a webcam for video chat - it's clear.

 

[Tdol]

I'll download it and try. ;-)

 

[ion Joe]

I think MSN messenger is also perfect. I always use it to communicate with my friends, nobody can interrupt us. And we can hear the voice clearly only with a mic. It's very convenient! But there's one thing, I can't think it over before I say something. It's more like a chat on phone.

 

[manifold]

I must say, I can't, while talking on phone in English, think over my ideas too, but that's the reason why I want to use voice chat...I want to learn to speak English fluently...just like in an English speaking environment, as if I were in England. Of course, it's not the best option, but, nevertheless, it's ok...and that would help me overcome a barrier between passive and active knowledge of English.
I tried to use MSN messenger too, but something went wrong with NETmeeting, so the chat session with one of my friends didn't take place.
But that was perhaps because of my poor understanding of how PCs work... :silly:

 

[silversea]

It is a great idea :-D