I hear and I forget
I listen and I understand
I do and I remember
Chinese proverb
One of the things that makes Learn English different to your average website is the input you can have to its content and the accessiblity of its owner (yours truly). You can do this in several ways:-
Multimedia software and the Internet has revolutionised language learning and by using the excellent iVisit service we can now have real-time conversations.
Just remember - "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
Please read and follow the Rules and Guidelines.
What do you need?
- You must use have a computer with an Internet connection (the faster the better) and a good quality sound card.
- To join in with my group you will need to join the free Learn English forum to receive the login information and password.
- You will need to install the free iVisit software (follow the instructions on their web site). I do not give technical support for the installation of the software, but they do. Make sure your settings are correct before you enter the room.
- Use the Classic version of the software as it's much easier to install and simpler to use (as recommended by Genji on the help desk).
- To hear the conversations you will need a good pair of headphones (or computer speakers).
- To talk you will also need a good quality microphone.
When is the room open?
The room is available 24/7, but I am not. There is a calendar of times I will be online here. All times are:-
*CET = Central European Time
You can click here to calculate the time in your city/country, www.timeanddate.com/worldclock - choose the city of Frankfurt for the time to convert from.
You are not limited to visiting just my group. If I am not open at a time to suit you try a group that is.
What is the room called?
Each room on iVisit is given a different name. My room is under Education - Language Schools - Your Teacher Online. To get the password you must be a member of the forum and have at least introduced yourself (this is for security).
Login or if you don't have a iVisit account follow the instructions online (it's free).
When am I in the room?
I moderate the room at the times on the calendar (see the forum), I try to open the room for at least two hours per week.
I can't promise I will always be there on the same day or at the same time, but I do try.
What do we do?
Mondays are dedicated to reading out loud, role playing or even a bit of drama.
Wednesdays are used for discussions and listening practice, this means active listening, so be prepared to answer questions.
Sessions and topics can be requested by forum members. During the lessons (members only) we usually start with a topic. This can involve an article or short skit to get people to speak out loud. I then give feedback on English pronunciation and English speaking skills. Hopefully we then discuss the article and this gives everyone the chance to speak English freely.
What about chatting?
On Fridays (TGIF) we meet up on Skype. Here active members of the forum are invited to come along to relax and just chat about anything (within the rules of the forum of course). Just don't ask questions about grammar, save them for the forum. You will need a Skype account.
Common topics of conversation are: introductions, current events, food, books, movies, sports, hobbies, art, music, school, family, holidays, travel, and the weather (I am British after all).
The Skype room can be found here. A password will be provided to all active members from the forum via Private Message on Yuku, by active I mean people who have posted regularly in the past month or week.
What level is the group aimed at?
As this is to practise conversation I expect the groups to find their own level, but it generally works out that intermediate to advanced students get the most out of the room. However, beginners are more than welcome to join in, you can learn a lot just listening.
You can practise your conversational skills every Friday. Try the following: making requests, asking general questions, summarising, paraphrasing, reporting, comparing and contrasting, expressing emotion, etc.
Other Services
There are other similar services on offer:-
Google Talk
MSN Web Messenger
PalTalk
Skype
Yahoo! Messenger
The English Forum
The Learn English forum is provided as a free service to visitors, hosted by Yuku, it's supported in part by advertising. It allows you to contact me and to meet other people who are learning English. Anyone can read the messages members can add their own messages, ask a question, or just say "Hello!".
The purpose of the forum is to provide encouragement, advice, support, enjoyment, and [insert positive word here]! It is a friendly environment in which to share ideas and have fun. By entering the forum you agree to follow the rules and guidelines.
The forum is arranged into topics and links to the Learn English Online lessons.
Here are some of the benefits of membership:
- It's FREE!
- You can edit/delete messages you've posted.
- You can use the Live (text) chat room.
- You can send and receive Private Messages (PM's) to/from other members.
- When you're logged in, you can see which posts are new since your last visit.
- You can choose to receive an email when someone replies to your post. (No need to keep checking back!)
- You can choose a custom image once you become an active participant.
- No need to put your email address in a post and expose it to the world. If you want a direct response, have them PM you through the forum for complete privacy.
Please follow the rules and guidelines below.
Click here to enter the forum - I agree with the terms.
Live English Chat
As a member of the forum you can text chat to each other at any time using the Forum's Live Chat room.
You will need to install Java on your computer.
Please follow the rules and guidelines below.
Click here to log on and enter the chat room - I agree with the terms.
If no one is in the Live English Chat room, why not try the Live Chat page?
Rules and Guidelines
I want to create a pleasant place for people to visit, where everyone feels valued and respected, therefore I have set up some rules and guidelines that I would like anyone who uses these services to follow:-
Rules
I reserve the right to ban anyone from using these services at any time and for any reason, this includes, but is not limited to:
- Abusive language .
- Incitement to hatred.
- Intolerance.
- Swearing - Even masked profanity!
- The use of inappropiate nicknames such as HotBabe!
- Disrespecting other visitors.
- Advertising products or services.
- Causing a disturbance.
- Purposefully annoying other visitors.
- Membership of the forum may be withdrawn if an account remains inactive for six months.
- Brush up on the rules of Netiquette.
Guidelines
- Be nice.
- I recommend that only adults should use these services.
- Native speakers are welcome, please do take part in the reading or speaking sessions, it is great to listen to other accents. However, please refrain from answering questions that are obviously for the ESL/EFL students.
- Some people online may be dangerous. They may not be who you think they are. In order to protect yourself you should not tell them your real name, address or give them any personal or contact details or anything that would comprimise your location or identity.
- Because of phishing and other security issues please don't embed urls in posts - they will be removed. Rather post the full url address and then people can choose whether to cut and paste it into their browser.
- Don't give out your email address especially if it contains part or all of your name. The English Forum has a very good (free) messaging system which is like e-mail that you can use by becoming a member (free).
- Don't tell anyone details about your routine. For example don't tell them which college/university you go to or the places you like to go and when you'll be there.
- You are strongly advised to NEVER meet anyone that you know just from the Internet.
- Predatory, threatening, harassing and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Only English should be spoken (it doesn't matter how good or bad you are).
- Courtesy should be given to others.
- Respect should be shown to others.
- Remember people have different cultures, religions, views and beliefs. You might not agree with them, but that's no excuse to attack them personally.
- No Profanity! The use of vulgar or sexual language or references to such will not be tolerated.
- I realise some people are shy and therefore using a microphone in the conversation group is not compulsory, but do follow the topic when typing in the chat window.
- I recommend that you do not open URLs that are posted by other users whom you do not trust, they may contain links to viruses or sites with disturbing content.
- Family friendly URL's may be posted. However URL's to other chat rooms, or to any form of advertisement or adult site are not permitted. Posting of such URL's will result in being banned.
Just remember - "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".
Disclaimer
The website(s), chat room, forum and conversation groups are provided as a free service. As such, there are no guarantees given or implied. Use of these services is at your own risk. Your use of these services constitutes an agreement that you will not hold me or my affiliates liable for anything said or done in the service to anyone at anytime, and that I will not be held liable in any case and for any reason.
Use of these services signifies that you are in total agreement to the terms contained here within. If you disagree with any of these terms, then please do not use these services. If you use the services and do not agree to these terms I can and will not be held responsible.
E&OE
! All groups are monitored / moderated and any violations strictly dealt with.
!For safety's sake I recommend that only adults should use this service.!
!Do not give out personal information - address, telephone number etc.!
!Use a special e-mail address (Google mail etc...)!
