Have a question that isn't here? Write bryantt@dickinson.edu and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
General Quesions
1. I signed up, but have yet to get a language partner.
Be active, login, search for a partner, then contact them via Skype or email. Don't be afraid to contact more than one person. If that doesn't work, be patient. The balance between native English speakers and ESL students varies depending on the time of year. During summer most Americans are on vacation. Once the semester starts in September for most of them, there will be a lot more English speakers.
2. What are the rules?
There aren't any rules. The site is just here to help you find someone who speaks the language you're learning fluently. In exchange for them helping you, you help them with the language they're learning. I do have a bit of advice, however.
- Agree in advance how often you'll meet and how long you'll spend on each language.
- Don't switch back in forth throughout the conversation. Stick with one language at a time. Otherwise, the person with more advanced second language skills tends to dominate the conversation.
- Be super polite. Since you're both strangers, communicating over the internet, and from different cultures it's easy to have misunderstandings.
3. What should we talk about? I need a topic or maybe a lesson idea.
CALPER is a research organization in the U.S. The created a lot of fun activities for teachers to do with their students. You can look at them here. The ones labeled as Chat in the Tool section are probably the best.
4. Someone said something clearly rude or unacceptable.
Send me their email and I will block them from the site. You can also block them from contacting you in Skype under Tools->Options->Privacy. That being said, I've spoken with a large number of people in this site either via email or by Skype, and they've all been super nice. People are generally very happy and helpful to people trying to learn their language.
Technical
1. I click on a link to Skype someone, and NetMeeting pops up.
Close your browser (IE, Netscape, Mozilla, Firefox), open Skype, then open your browser again and return to the site. The reason is because Skype is using the callto protocol which NetMeeting used to use. If Skype is opened for the first time after your browser was already open, it can't take the protocol until the browser is restarted.
2. Can I record the conversation with my language partner? My teacher would like an mp3 file for a grade.
You can, but unfortunately you'll probably have to buy some software, though it's inexpensive. First, make sure you ask permission from your language partner. It's very rude and possibly illegal to record them without their knowledge. Once that is done, here are some options.
- Purchase Pamela. It adds features to Skype, recording among them.
- Use a virtual sound card. Instructions are here.
- Use a software program such as ISound that basically captures any sound that passes through your computer's sound card.
3. How can I configure Skype to let people on the Mixxer see when I'm online.
Follow the instructions here: online status instructions. Keep in mind this will let anyone on web view your online status via the web if they know your Skype username. For example, you can see my status here: http://mystatus.skype.com/bryantt
Friends
1. How do I add a friend?
Click the + sign in their profile.
2. I added someone as my friend. Now what?
They'll receive an email saying they've been added as a friend along with an invitation to add you as a friend as well. Also, if your friend uploads a document or hosts a Skypecast or Public Chat, you'll automatically be notified by email.
Groups
1. What are goups?
Groups are ways of organizing everyone in the Mixxer by the languages they speak natively and are learning. For example, I'm a native English speaker learning Spanish and German. That means I'm in the "English/German" group and the "English/Spanish" group. The English/German group is full of native speakers of German learning English and native speakers of English learning German. It will make it easier to find a partner and to organize public gatherings such as Skypecasts and Public chats. (see below)
2. How do I join a group?
You're automatically placed in a group depending on the language(s) you speak natively and are learning. (see above)
Skypecasts
1. What is a Skypecast?
A Skypecast is like a regular Skype call except that it's public, anyone can join. If you're hosting a Skypecast, you'll have some special functions as moderator like being able to decide who can talk etc.
2. Why would I want to host or join a Skypecast?
For people who are hesitant about just writing or calling strangers, Skypecasts can be an easy way to meet people in a group. Because it will posted on the My Groups page, you'll only be inviting people who are either learning the same language you are or who are native speakers of that language. Remember the spirit of the Mixxer, give equal time to help those learning your native language as well.
3. So how do I host one?
You can create a Skypecast and find directions here.
4. Can anyone join the Skypecast?
Since the Skypecast is public, anyone who clicks on the link can join. However, the link will only appear on the My Groups page for those with the languages you give in their profile. For example, if you specify the languages of the Skypecast as being German and English, then only native speakers of German learning English and native speakers of English learning German will see it. Any friends you added in the Mixxer will also get an email inviting them.
5. How do I start or join the Skypecast?
If you or anyone else has submitted a Skypecast for your language group, there will be a link under Public Gatherings on the My Groups page with the title of the Skypecast. Make sure you've started Skype and have logged in, then click the link. If you're hosting the Skypecast you should have also received an email confirming the information after you created the Skypecast. The link is in this email as well.
Public Chats
1. What is a Public Chat?
A Public Chat is like a regular chat, except anyone who clicks the link joins the chat. It's like a Skypecast, but it's only text chatting.
2. Why would I want to host or join a Public Chat?
For people who are hesitant about just writing or calling strangers, Public Chats can be an easy way to meet people in a group. Because it will posted on the My Groups page, you'll only be inviting people who are either learning the same language you are or who are native speakers of that language. Remember the spirit of the Mixxer, give equal time to help those learning your language as well.
3. So how do I host one?
You can create a Public Chat and find directions here.
4. Can anyone join the Public Chat?
Since the Public Chat is, well, public, anyone who clicks on the link can join. However, the link will only appear on the My Groups page for those with the languages you give in their profile. For example, if you specify the languages of the Public Chat as being German and English, then only native speaker of German learning English and native speakers of English learning German will see it. Any friends you added in the Mixxer will also get an email inviting them.
5. How do I start or join the Public Chat?
If you or anyone else has submitted a Public Chat for your language group, there will be a link under Public Gatherings the the My Groups page with the title of the Public Chat. Make sure you've started Skype and have logged in, then click the link. If you're hosting the Public Chat you should have also received an email confirming the information after you created the Public Chat. The link is in this email as well.
6. I noticed you just basically copied and pasted these questions for the Skypecast questions. What's up with that?
Public Chats serve very much the same function as Skypecasts. The major difference is that you're text chatting instead of talking. Also Public Chats are created from within the Skype client and in my experience are more reliable than Skypecasts, which are still in beta.
|
