Are Skype Lessons any good?
Can Skype lessons change the way we learn languages? Yes, it can! Skype is best used for one-on-one video chatting to learn a language. Students can use Skype to practice a language in a class or across the world!
Skype versus Audio Chat versus Face-to-Face Communication
In a study at San Diego State University, students in a Spanish class used Skype to practice their Spanish. Lead researcher and Associate Professor of Spanish, Dr. Íñigo Yanguas, chose Skype based on its previous use in language classrooms. Dr. Yanguas divided students into three groups for the study in which the groups used a Skype video chat group, an audio chat group, and a face-to-face group.
Students in the Spanish class used Skype to speak with their partners. The two students spoke in Spanish in a 20-minute activity. They decided which eight items to take on a trip to Latin America based on a $120 budget. Dr. Yanguas provided students with photos and prices of each item. Each student chose four items to take in a shared backpack. In all three groups, students came to a general agreement. Students in Skype and face-to-face groups shared more agreements compared to the audio chat group since visual cues through video chat helped students understand each other.
Dr. Yanguas stated that Skype allows Spanish learners to “…practice oral skills that they will need in the real world…” (p. 86). Practicing Spanish through Skype’s video chat is “… difficult to replicate using traditional chatting applications.” Dr. Yanguas concluded that Skype helps students learn from each other.
Skype and Cultural Chatting
In different parts of the world, Skype allows cross-cultural chatting. A study focused on English teaching and learning in the US and Taiwan suggests the benefits of using Skype. About 78% of US students and 88% of Taiwanese students agreed on this.
Taiwanese students practiced speaking English with native speakers, and heard the correct way to say words therefore a majority of students believed that Skype is a useful tool. Using Skype’s video and instant messaging tools were helpful to continue discussions. However some students had microphone, or webcam issues that influenced their experiences with Skype. Background noise made it notably difficult for students to hear each other. As expected with learning a new language, students also faced general miscommunication. Overall, this study suggests that Skype is a favorable tool for teaching and learning a language.
Sharing Learning Material Through Skype
Material sharing through Skype also supports language learning. In a study by linguist Kátia Monteiro, English learners in Brazil received materials for language Skype lessons. Materials included images for story telling activities. Monteiro also provided sentences for students to correct the grammar. Students then corrected the sentences and explained their reasoning through Skype. Further, Monteiro provided direct feedback to help students learn English.
Not only is Skype a powerful tool to support online language learning in the 21st century but future advances can make Skype a more regular tool for language learning. This article highlights the usefulness of Skype in a variety of classes.
Editor’s note:
What do our teachers say?
Most students start their lessons in a more traditional form. They like to meet face-to-face because that is what most people know. Then at some point the teacher or the student go on vacation or move farther away. Our experience is that once students have tried Skype Online Lessons they don’t want to go back. The students realize that the lesson is just as good if they sit on their own couch at home, turn on Skype and have the lesson in front of their computer. For many it came as a surprise. In the end everybody benefits. The participants save time because they don’t have to travel and notes are taken on the computer and can be shared later online or via mail.
If you are interested in taking Skype lessons, contact us.
