Would you be interested in a Skype/IM intercambio?

[Ben]

I'm toying with the idea of Skype intercambios (or other voice over IP / IM services), and how that could be set up and facilitated via this forum. The idea of the intercambio for those that don't know is for a Spanish speaker and an English speaker to get together and speak for half the time in English and the other half in Spanish, so both of you get to practice.

I could probably find a lot of interested Spanish speakers in Madrid alone via the language academies and local ex-pat paper classifieds, but it is an interesting idea? Take the poll and please post comments.... what do you think?

[polostar]

The scheduling might be a little difficult, but I wouldn't mind doing it. I think it would be fun.

[Chiny]

Probably a few non-NFS folk in my local Spanish class that would be interested although the technology might defeat them.

[Cat]

Yes, I think it's a fantastic idea. I was thinking of visiting my local Uni here in South Wales to see if there was any "intercambio" interest.

[outpostbabu]

The scheduling might be a little difficult, but I wouldn't mind doing it. I think it would be fun.

This could be a problem but if there are enough people around the world taking part in these intercambios, the timezones won't matter so much. Or perhaps it would be possible to try recorded conversations where each party records a message and the other responds? I'm on the east coast of the US and would be willing to stay up late/get up early to take part in something like this for its cultural exchange value.

[Neil Jaynes]

I think it would be a great idea, however, with me working nights who would be on-line at this crazy time :o

[pablo]

Absolutely, I would love to do an intercambio. I have VoIP for my business phone with which I can call Spain land lines free anytime ($0.35 to call mobiles in Spain though). IM would be fun too with audio and/or video chatting.

[cubix]

Good Idea

No expericne with Skype though

[gary]

Great idea Ben - count me in

[Vincent]

I think it's a great idea! I don't have anone to practice my Spanish here and it's getting rustier by the day. I know it's off topic but I'd like to do find an intercambio for my English, too.;D If anyone is interested, I could help out practicing your French.

[lori]

i would definitely be interested. i have very flexible schedule so that is not even a concern. also i have ichat/isight. if we found me a spanish speaking partner with isight, well, we could see each other too...

[mini_mojo]

I think this is a great idea!!! It's been so long since I've spoken much Spanish, that this would be of great benefit to me.

I've found though, that just listening to the podcast has helped me get back quite a bit of the language. I have even begun to think in Spanish once again. In fact, I just got back from vacation (a cruise to Mexico) and a cab driver asked if I was from Argentina! I had to laugh when I told him I was American!

Count me in!

[cubix]

Does anyone else(other than Ben or Marina) dream in Spanish, moto's comment made me think of that.

I had a interesting dream monday night, that was the night before my big AP Spanish Exam(basically if I do well enough I can earn college credit) so I had been watching a lot of Spanish tele....

I don't really remember what happened in my dream though

[Marina]

It's great that you are dreaming in Spanish, I think that is a big step to absorbing the lenguage.

Let us know how the AP went;)

[greytop]

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-05-03T043843Z_01_N02325586_RTRUKOC_0_UK-SKYPE-SKYPECAST.xml&archived=False

looks like Skye are ready for us!

[Ben]

looks like Skye are ready for us!

very interesting... I haven't forgotten about this idea by the way, it is just there is so much else to do too! As soon as we have a few more people on board here and we have some time, I'll start working out how to get the Spanish involved!

[Alan]

Yahoo! Messenger already allows you to do this.

On the subject of dreams, I used to dream in French. I don't think I'm spending enough time on my Spanish to dream in it yet :(

[timg]

There is a service called e-tandem (http://www.slf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/etandem/etindex-en.html) that tries to put you in contact with a native speaker of the language you're interested in. You specify things like your native language, the type of person you want to talk to (age range, location, native language, etc) and they put you in contact. You can then choose people to talk with (via Skype or whatever) - international intercambios. I haven't used it personally, but some people from a previous course thought it most useful.

[Ben]

Looks very interesting. I'd love to here from someone that has tried it.

[lumpsuckerpig]

I am hooked up to Skype all day at work 8.30 am to 4.30 pm GMT with a telephone handset if any of you people out there would like to have a chat with me. Might be a good idea to send me a Skype message first to let me know you are gonna call as I get quite a lot of crank calls from China, Poland and Lithuania who just want to muck about and be abusive. No offence meant to any of these races as I work with 2 Poles and they are great, but any race has it's muppets.
Anyway, the offer is open guys!
Just click the question mark icon once under my profile to the left of this text box and you can send me a message.(You need to have skype installed, but it's free from Skype.com. Messages free of charge, calls free of charge skype to skype but you need a handset or headset to make and recieve calls. Handsets £20 from your local pc hack)

¡Hasta luego llamarme pronto!

[viajero]

I would absolutely love the opportunity to practice Spanish with another NFS listener through Skype. Just click the question mark icon once under my profile to the left of this text box and you can send me a message. Let me know a good time to "chat" via Skype.

I have been practicing my language skills through a Skypecast (read more at https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/home) and it works really well. The other evening, I spoke with a gentleman in Argentina for about 40 minutes about culture, politics, etc. - todo en español. ¡Era increíble!

Espero que nos vemos pronto-


Viajero

[Ben]

I have been practicing my language skills through a Skypecast (read more at https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/home) and it works really well. The other evening, I spoke with a gentleman in Argentina for about 40 minutes about culture, politics, etc. - todo en español. ¡Era increíble!

Wow, that sounds great, how did that work? How did you find the guy?

[lumpsuckerpig]

I have created a Skypecast today called Spanish Notes, dont want to step on Ben and Marinas toes if they decide to do one at a later date and call it Notes from Spain!! Just go to

https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/overview.html

type Spanish Notes in the search field and click the search button and then Voila!

All Notes from Spain users welcome

[lumpsuckerpig]

Wow, just had a Skype from forum member Viajero, think he's in the States. This forum stuff is really taking off now Ben!!

[viajero]

Had a terrific conversation with forum member Lumpsuckerpig this morning via Skype; we hope to connect again tomorrow via Skypecast or regular Skype connection.

Ben - to answer your question - here's what to do:

1) Visit http://www.skype.com and install the software on your computer (you'll also create an account).
2) Visit https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/ongoing to see what Skypecasts are taking place (this is how I found a Spanish language 'cast). You can also click on the tabs in the upper part of the page to see what 'casts are starting soon, "featured," etc.
3) Once you find one you want to join, just click "Sign in to Join" under the title of the Skypecast. You'll be prompted to enter your Skype username and password, then you'll need to click on "Join this Skypecast."
4) Use a microphone/headset combination if at all possible to maximize audio quality - but at least use headphones to eliminate echoes from the 'cast.

My Skype username is "Los_Viajeros" - I encourage any NFS/NIS listener to contact me for an informal intercambio! I am on U.S. Central Time (GMT minus 6 hours), but I'll do whatever I can to speak at a time convenient for you.

Saludos,


Viajero :)

[viajero]

Once you have a Skype account, you can visit https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/create to start a 'cast of your own!

Like forum member Lumpsuckerpig, I don't want to step on Ben and Marina's toes, so if I created a 'cast I would also probably call it "Spanish Notes" or "Intercambio Español/English," etc....

See you all...out there!


Viajero

[gary]

I have created a Skypecast today called Spanish Notes, dont want to step on Ben and Marinas toes if they decide to do one at a later date and call it Notes from Spain!! Just go to

https://skypecasts.skype.com/skypecasts/overview.html

type Spanish Notes in the search field and click the search button and then Voila!

All Notes from Spain users welcome

Cant find it - help!

[cubix]

Cant find it - help!
Me neither, I went and downloaded Sykpe today, my mic is shoddy, I am gonna go get a new one this weekend hopefully.

[viajero]

One more thing to know about Skypecasts - they can be set for a specific time and duration.

So if you create one, you can start it immediately and have it last for 30 minutes. Or you can start it at a specific time and have it last for 2 hours! The possibilities are many.

In any case, if you are going to start it at a particular time, post the info here in the forum (if that's OK with Ben and Marina); maybe a few of us could talk together at once!

Keep in mind too that I haven't had much luck searching for specific 'casts. I think it's best to see what's currently "on" and what's "upcoming" and search using the Find tool within your browser. I don't know the criteria for having a 'cast show up in the Skype search area....


Saludos,

Viajero

[Ben]

Wow, this is very exciting! I had an incling this skypecast thing could be the way forward when I first heard about it, but wow, lumpsuckerpig and viajero, you have really sorted this out! I really have been too busy to do much about this since I started this thread, but if we all work together, we can really get this spread around the net - I can work on getting it spread around some Spanish language academies in Madrid to get some Spaniards involved too.

Lumpsuckerpig, I feel like I would be stepping on your toes now if I set one up with a different name! But certainly, we'll either promote your Spanish Notes or we'll set up a specific 'Notes in Spanish Intercambio 'cast' or 'Notes from Spain' cast (or both!) this week so the name really ties into the podcast/blog.

A couple of points: timing, how could it work (with people on different time zones)? Would it be better to just let them start randomly whenever or to program a time? Plus, for a specificly intercambio 'cast, to get Spanish people involved we would have to stick to the intercambio concept whereby half the time is in English and half Spanish - could that work well on a skype cast?

I guess the best thing to do is to put this into practice. If you guys have a skype cast today then send me a skype chat message first and hopefully if I am at home I can join in and we can chat about it. My skype name is spanishben . Speak later hopefully, Ben

p.s. did you guys speak in English or Spanish?

[lumpsuckerpig]

Wow, this is very exciting! I had an incling this skypecast thing could be the way forward when I first heard about it.

p.s. did you guys speak in English or Spanish?

We spoke for probably 90% of the time or more in Spanish. The sound quality was exceptional, it sounded like viajero was in the same room as me even though he was in the States.

It was great, viajero speaks very good Spanish and is very easy to understand, not once did I find my mind trying to unscramble anything he said to me.

With the time difference thing, where viajero lives in the States, he is six hours behind us, so I think it will be early in the morning his time when he is able to chat to us while it is later in the after noon here, U.K.

Your idea of getting Spanish people involved is a great one, also, as I work in a school, we have a languages teacher here who is quite fluent in Spanish and I think would also be interested in an intercambio.

Just to side track things a little, if anyone is thinking of signing up to Skype and using it, the handset I am using for Skype can be found at the following link:

http://www.cableuniverse.co.uk/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1211

I didn't buy the handset from there, it's just a link in order to show which model I use.

I actually purchased my handset from www.p3computers.com (http://www.p3computers.com), 01282 424041 and he always has plenty of stock of this phone in.

I think Skype could be used fully in tandem with Notes From Spain.

Let's get talking!

[Ben]

Come and join us today, May 18th at 3pm GMT. Details here (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209)!

[richardksa]

For those of us that can't be around at that time (me) or don't consider our Spanish skills to be that great yet (also me!), would it be possible to record this Skypecast, or its highlights, and distribute it as a podcast?

[gary]

Cant find it - help!

Yeah, found it now.... Richardskas idea is great if it is technically possible - this is the way that the Tech Podcast This Week In Tech (TWIT) is put together.

Cutting edge stuff, this!!

[Ben]

No idea how to do that, but if I don't work it out in time then don't worry, this is just the start, hopefully these will be going on a lot in the future and for different levels... watch this space!

[Alan]

Excellent idea. I can't make it but I would be very interested to hear it and to join another time. If someone could record it, that'd be great.

Alan

[Marbella]

Good luck with this, it really seems such a great idea and another example of the 'buzz' that I feel around the Notes from Spain space. I stumbled upon NFS a couple of weeks ago while looking on iTunes for something Spanish to listen to on my iPod. I really didn't realise then that there were other people out there interested in the things I am interested in.

I don't have the confidence (or the mic/privacy in the office!) to join in today but I also would like to hear you chat away if possible, however brief.

To know that other people can speak Spanish so well gives me the push I need to improve.

Buena suerte!

[lumpsuckerpig]

Good luck with this, it really seems such a great idea and another example of the 'buzz' that I feel around the Notes from Spain space. I stumbled upon NFS a couple of weeks ago while looking on iTunes for something Spanish to listen to on my iPod. I really didn't realise then that there were other people out there interested in the things I am interested in.

I don't have the confidence (or the mic/privacy in the office!) to join in today but I also would like to hear you chat away if possible, however brief.

To know that other people can speak Spanish so well gives me the push I need to improve.

Buena suerte!

If you download and install Skype, you can hold a real time text conversation just like MSN really.

[Vincent]

great! i will try to join in :-) I've got one question, though: do you just use your regular skype account or do you have to register to skypecast?

[greytop]

I followed Ben´s link in #32 post and it seems you need the latest 2.5.0.82 Beta version of Skype. The Skype web site help trail was a bit of a circular trip!
I loaded it and it seems fine but it is a Beta....
The only way I've found to join the call is via the directory, there does not appear to be a link from within the normal Skype window.
================================================== ===
NB Just been on the link up and it worked fine. I was late as I had not seen the new time. Thanks Lumpsuckerpig for setting that up.

[Vincent]

I used the version i have installed (skype 2.0.0.81) and i could join in through the skypecast directory after logging in to my skype account. :)

[lumpsuckerpig]

Well it seemed the Skypecast went o.k. for some of the members, but how embarrasing for me, being an IT bod you would think I would be the last person to have problems, but all I could do was sit with my handset jammed up to my ear and listen to Ben, Viajero and Jim chat away for 35 minutes. It seemed no-one could hear me. I think the problem here is with the bandwitdth on our network connection as the entire building was on the net at the time of the Skypecast which I think is what my problem was.

[lifeinperu]

I'm pretty sure I could record the next skypecast . . . . por lo visto, I missed the first one! Shucks!

[viajero]

Thanks so much to Lumpsuckerpig, Ben, and Jim for a good conversation/test this morning! I feel like we established a few things:

1) The more people there are in a Skypecast, the lower the audio quality.
2) It definitely helps to use headphones to avoid echo - and a full headset including microphone is even better!
3) Ben is a master at moderating conversations! Once we were all there, I realized that we really didn't have a topic. Ben kept us on task and talking about some good stuff.

I'm not sure if there's a way to limit the number of people participating - in a way I wouldn't want to do that because I don't want to leave people out of this joyful experience!

I think someone mentioned that we could have as a topic the last podcast(s) from NFS, NIS, or CFS). Might be a good idea! I think it's OK to just dial in and have an informal chat, but it might be better for our language skills if we're more specific. Thoughts?

The other thing we could do is schedule a time for a Skype "Conference Call" with 3 or 4 people. I'd be interested to see if the audio quality is any better.

Thank you all again so much for your willingness to try this - I appreciate your time and talents!


Viajero

[Ben]

Thanks so much to Lumpsuckerpig, Ben, and Jim for a good conversation/test this morning!

Don't forget Brian and Vincent! Thanks to all of you as well from me, I enjoyed it enormously.

I agree with your points Viajero, I mentioned a couple of things on the other post, but think they are covered by what you said. A good broadband/cable (not dial up) connection is definitely essential too.

I think having a topic when there are more than two people involved is a good idea too. And probably nominating a moderator/chairman to keep things going... I felt a bit intrusive at first by kind of doing that today, but think it is the only way with more than 3 people.

Meanwhile I have an idea for an intercambio section for the forum, getting some Spanish people involved too, whereby people can set up their own skype meets on whatever basis they want, publicise skype casts etc. More very soon I hope!

Anyway, I guess the thing to do is to try it again soon! It was definitely great fun! Anyone up for arranging another try?

[viajero]

Yes, I absolutely forgot Brian and Vincent. So sorry! :blush:

And I'm up for another try. I'm available tomorrow (Fri, May 19) from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. CST (GMT -6). Do whatever is convenient and I'll try and pop in.

Gracias otra vez - hasta pronto!


Viajero

[Brian]

I would suggest perhaps that we look at doing a Skype intercambio on a Saturday, when we working stiffs are able to join in.

[Ben]

Marina and I are away until next week but do go ahead and organise more in the meantime. I'm sure Sunday evenings would be good. Do use the forum to organise it, maybe starting a new thread if it's easier. Looking forward to hearing the results and to joining another one soon!

[ValenciaSon]

I downloaded skype on my PC and found my trusty web cam. I tested skype by placing a local phone call to my mom. Now Ineed to work up the nerve to practice my oxidado spanish (yikes!:eek:).

[ValenciaSon]

Maybe a poll in the forum could provide the concensus on preferred times.

[ValenciaSon]

When is the next Spanish Notes skypecast?

[lifeinperu]

Pronto esepero!

Anyone want to get together 1 on 1 on Skype?

[Ben]

When is the next Spanish Notes skypecast?

Whenever any of you guys want to set it up. I may be too busy this week to gat involved personally, but do anounce it here in the forum.

[lumpsuckerpig]

Pronto esepero!

Anyone want to get together 1 on 1 on Skype?

Si, no hay problema, llamarme hasta pronto!

[viajero]

My Skype username is "Los Viajeros". Find me anytime si quiere practicar español!

[viajero]

I could set up a Skypecast tomorrow morning (Tuesday, May 30) and we could get a few of us talking about a particular topic: trips to Spain/Mexico/Caribbean/South America.

If you've traveled to these places, come share your stories. If you haven't, share your desire to go - or just listen in as we discuss our experiences.

How about 07:30 Central Daylight Time U.S., which would be 13:30 GMT or 15:30 in Madrid?

Let me know! And if you join us, bring headphones (and a microphone if possible). This will really help sound quality.

¡Hasta pronto!

[LosLocos]

We live in New Zealand and are all learning Spanish (me, Claire & 2 children). It's a great opportunity for us to practice our spanish.

[robinshanson]

Very interested in doing a Skype intercambio. My userid is RobinShanson . I am an English speaker (from UK) living in New Jersey USA.

Interests - Spain, History, kayaking, and every 4 years the world cup

[neskadebilbao]

I also am very intersted in speaking with others in Spanish on Skype. I just created an account and my id is Neskadebilbao

I do not currently have a webcam, but was wondering what you all would recommend.

¡Hasta pronto!

[Ben]

Hi all, I think that this thread is soooo long that it would be better to start new threads from now on about organising or looking for intercambios, I've sent a private message to those of you that left skype details etc here (hope I got you all!), but basically the best thing to do would be to start a new thread in this part of the forum repeating who you are and who you might want to talk to and so on (like this post (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377) for example, or Marco's post (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=357)). It might also be worth updating your profile info, there are lots of new fields that will help find intercambio partners with similar interests.

I think for now I will close this thread as it is getting old and as I said all the great requests you keep adding may get lost. It will still be possible to read, but I think it will work best if we start new threads in this section from now on. Hope that makes sense! Ben

p.s. neskadebilbao, do start a new thread about webcam recommendations too, I'm sure lots of people will be able to help!