Why not take a conversation class with a teacher who is a native
speaker?
In a conversation class, your teacher is the only
native speaker. This creates two disadvantages.
One, it means most of the time you are practicing your
vocabulary, grammar and listening comprehension from non-native speakers like
yourself. The larger the class size, the less interaction you will have with
your teacher and the less effective your practice will be. In the Language Exchange
Workshops however, you interact with native speakers all the time.
Two, your teacher, by his/her very training may have a
tendency to speak with 뱎roper� grammar and vocabulary, etc.
This is different from the real language you will encounter in real immersion.
In the Language Exchange Workshops, you will practice with native speakers who
are not teachers, thus exposing you to the language you are most likely
to encounter in the real world.
Another advantage to the Language Exchange Workshops is that
once you learn how to practice effectively, you can do it on your own with a
partner.
Back to the questions
2. If practicing with native speakers is so important, why
not go live in a place where everyone speaks that language?
Complete cultural
immersion can be a good way to become fluent. But it can also be frustrating or
scary. In this real world environment, people are not usually concerned about
helping you learn their language. They will speak fast, perhaps with a lot of
slang and expressions not taught in your classes. If they speak your language,
they may simply switch, not giving you a chance to practice. In the worst
scenario, you can get stuck and not be able to communicate at all! Students
considering immersion can better prepare for their immersion by practicing
first with native speakers in the friendly and supportive environment provided
by the Language Exchange Workshops.
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3. Are these workshops something new you created just for
the Internet?
Actually, no. Helene
Cormier뭩 workshops were first developed in a live face-to-face setting in
Montreal. They have helped hundreds of students become fluent since 1998. (Read
their testimonials here.) Her
proven method was adapted to work on the Internet and in the summer of 2001,
she taught her first online workshops, connecting students in Montreal and
southern United States, resulting in satisfied students who are eager to
continue. (Read their testimonials here.)
Back to the questions
4. Language exchange practice with a teacher sounds like a
great idea. So, why aren뭪 all the language schools offering it?
They haven뭪 had the opportunity to develop the
expertise. In almost all places of the world, it is simply not possible
or profitable for a teacher or language school to develop expertise in
language exchange. Developing this skill requires large numbers of native
speakers of different languages who want to become fluent in the other
language. Montreal is one of the rare exceptions, with large numbers of French
and English native speakers. Helene Cormier뭩 language exchange workshops
are considered by many to be the best in the city. Now thanks to the Internet,
this unique and effective learning opportunity is available to you no matter
where you live.
Back to the questions
5. Can I really learn by talking on the Internet?
Yes. Experience shows that you can learn
effectively in the simultaneous voice and text chat environment.
The voice quality provided by the software we use is excellent. A lot of
information is conveyed in the voice alone. It is similar to the emotional cues
you pick up in a phone conversation. It makes a difference, for example, if you
smile when you talk on the phone.
In addition, the text chat feature that complements the voice chat actually
creates an advantage over learning in a face-to-face environment. For example,
your teacher can write down the words or expressions in the conversation that
give you difficulties. It would appear instantly in front of you like subtitles
in a movie. There is no distraction: no turning to look at the whiteboard, or
reaching to see a scribble on a sheet of paper. It also makes it easy for you
to write something for everyone in your group to see.
Back to the questions
6. Why don뭪 you use video conferencing?
We don뭪 use video because we want to maximize the
quality of the voice signal. This is important for conversation practice where
you will work on your pronounciation and listening comprehension.
In addition, video conferencing software, such as Netmeeting
are more difficult to use. Using video also tends to make your software less
reliable.
Back to the questions
August 29, 2001
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