Tandem Language Learning Via Free Internet Audio Conferencing Software

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Title Collaborative Worldwide Language Learning: Tandem Language Learning via Free Internet Audio Software Presented at the annual meeting of CALICO at the University of Ottawa, May 23, 1:30- 2:45, Morisset 256 Authors Gary A. Cziko and Sujung Park University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Overview of Presentation (Gary) 1:00

Tandem Language Learning (Gary) 4:00

Tandem Language Learning involves pairs of speakers of different native languages working together to learn each other’s language

Each partner is in turn both student (learner) and teacher (tutor or guide)

Provides a “third way” of language learning to replace or complement traditional (1) grammar-based and (2) communicative approaches to language teaching eTandem language learning involves the use of electronic communication to allow partners to communicate worldwide

allows “Worldwide Collaborative CALL” using telephone email voice mail (e.g., PureVoice in Eudora) text chat/MOOs audio and video conferencing via the Internet

Bochum Tandem Server

Tandem Foundation

Tandem City

Comparison of Programs & Features (Sujung) 10:00 See Cziko & Park (2003)

Table 1. Feature Comparison of Free Internet Audio Programs Audio Audio User Other Platform Video Chat Program Chat Directory Features Rooms File 1 to 1, AOL Instant Windows, Pre- Partly transfer & half-or No Messenger Mac OS 9 established functional URL full-duplex & X embedding

Multiparty, File Pre- half- transfer, Yahoo established; Windows duplex; 1 to 1 Yes shared files Messenger user 1 to 1 with & user created Super aliases Wecam

MSN Windows 1 to 1, full- 1 to 1, File No Yes Messenger (not XP) duplex with IM transfer

File transfer, Windows Windows 1 to 1, full- remote 1 to 1 No Yes Messenger XP duplex assistance, shared apps & whiteboard Pre- Multi- Multi- Mic- established; PalTalk Windows party, half- video Yes requested; user duplex (up to 3) access created control

Audio- video recording Windows, Multi- Pre- & Macintosh party half- Multi- established; iVisit No playback; 7.5 + (no or full- party user access OS X) duplex created control; Push/pull webpages (Windows) Demonstration of Selected Programs (10:00) iVisit (Gary) 5:00

(or Yahoo Messenger)

PalTalk (show Help group and perhaps a FL group) Sujung 5:00

(or Windows Messenger with contact in Korea (Sujung)

Finding Partners (Gary) 5:00

Directories

Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Windows Messenger and PalTalk have user directories

Possible to search for partners by language or country or other info (see Cziko & Park, 2003)

Parvis eTandem Partner Services

For telephone, email, synchronous text/audio/video communication

Free (“basic”) or paid (“advanced”) partner finding service

“We are pleased to provide you with two eTandem Partner Services: Standard eTandem Partner Service Sign up for an eTandem partner for free! Advanced eTandem Partner Service Sign up for advanced eTandem partner selection according to criteria such as country, profession, interest area, gender, age or even express service.” iVisit at l’Université Laval and University of Illinois (French- English)

“permanent” connection between computers at Illinois and Laval adding scheduled bilingual hosts/hostesses Electronic Network for Language And Culture Exchange (ENLACE)

In planning stages

Invite educational institutions with interested students and bilingual hosts/hostesses

Hobot (host robot)

Beginning Fall 2003 will begin to investigate creation of automated web-based Tandem partner service and integrated video- conferencing system

Conclusion (Gary) 2:00

We are at the threshold of a new world of foreign language learning

The Internet has made available a new valuable resource for foreign-language learning, namely, the means to interact with native speakers of the target language

The technical tools are already here and constantly improving

The challenge now is to make these tools available to language learners and incorporate them into foreign-language teaching worldwide and in so doing promote Worldwide Collaborative Language Learning

What you can do now

Become familiar with synchronous Internet CMC software (e.g., iVisit)

Find yourself a Tandem language learning partner

Directory

Parvis service Let me know if you have a group of students and a volunteer bilingual host/hostess to become involved ENLACE

If we build it they will come?

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Info Morisset 256, Friday, May 23, 1:30 – 2:15 pm Equipment check 7 to 8 am day of presentation Presentations are 45 minutes total so you should adjust your talk/demonstration to leave some time at the end for questions.

Abstract Tandem Language Learning (TLL) involves bringing together two individuals with different native languages who are learning each other's native language, with each partner taking turns as both student and tutor. Originally requiring face-to-face interaction, the Internet now makes it possible for language learning partners anywhere in the world to transcend time and place limitations. This presentation will: (a) provide an overview of seven six free Internet audio programs appropriate for electronic TLL, (b) demonstrate how these programs can be used for TLL, and (c) show how language learners can find collaborative TLL partners on the Internet.

Misc. notes Time 1:30 to 2:15 pm Eastern Time (12:30 to 1:15 pm Central Time) Sujung: -check programs again for updated features -create new table including Wimba -find contact for demo of MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger Gary -create presentation framework with explicit links -print when table received for handout -find contact for iVisit (Laval?) and PalTalk (Wimba is fall back) -if no Internet connection, can at least show iVisit environment