Skype English language meet-up

[Pennsylvanian]

Hi all,

So I have been thinking that it would be fun to find a few folks on here who are interested in improving their English speaking and listening skills using Skype. Ideally, I would like to get a good representation from both fluent speakers and learners alike. I would think some pre-decided topic would be beneficial so that people could bring a few thoughts to the table.

We could set a date and time in advance that is convenient to all parties involved.

If interested, just post here or feel free to send me a private message.



Regards,
Pennsylvanian

[tiorthan]

Count me in.

[Pennsylvanian]

Great to hear, tiorthan. I think your skill in both languages is remarkable and would be very helpful during something like this.

Also, it seems my private messaging might not be working at the moment. That is, it seems that I can receive them fine, but cannot send them. But there was a question as to what Skype actually is. I may as well address this here so there isn't any confusion.

Skype is a VoIP (Voice-over-IP) program. It is essentially just like using a telephone, but on your computer. As long as you have a microphone and headphones, you can "call" one or more other Skype users and literally talk to them.

You can go here to download the program (assuming you are using Windows, but it has been ported to other operating systems as well):

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-sky ... r/windows/


If you have installed Skype, feel free to send me a private message with your account name and I will add you to my list.

[tiorthan]

Skype is also available as an app on many Java capable smartphones and on the iOS devices (iPad and iPhone).

[Delfino]

We need to consider the different time zones we live in when arranging a meeting in advance.

Pennsylvania (EST, -5h)
United Kingdom (UTC, 0h)
Germany (CET, +1h)
...

May I also recommend to use the business version of Skype
who doesn't require a change of your firewall settings to allow
network access for the setup file during installation.

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/business/download/

[tiorthan]

I had to install skype yesterday (after a hard disk failure) and I had no problems installing the regular version.

[Delfino]

Well, I didn't say the regular version would always create a problem.
The regular version is there for a reason but the same is true for the business version,
which I tried to describe in my earlier post.

The setup of network access for a new program depends on your local firewall system
which may include stringend security settings as in most business environments or not...

[Duckduck]

Schön, dass Ihr Jungs so nett zusammen spielt... Ich weiß mal wieder nicht Bescheid, aber 2 kleine sprachliche Anmerkungen an Delfino:

Sollte es nicht heißen:

May I also recommend to use the business version of Skype
which doesn't require...

...depends on your local firewall system
which may include stringent security settings...

Love,
Duckduck

[tiorthan]

Oh, I probably misunderstood something. I thought you meant the firewall settings for the skype client itself, but if I understand correctly now, you only meant the setup which (for the business version) does indeed not require any network access at all.

[choccy_hobnob]

Da wir ja schon dabei sind...

May I also recommend that you use the business version of Skype

Genauso möglich wäre "...recommend the use of the business version of Skype."

[Pennsylvanian]

What would all interested parties say to Sunday, 30 January @ 3:00 p.m (15:00) Greenwich Mean Time?

consequently...

Berlin: 4:00 p.m. (16:00)

Philadelphia: 10:00 a.m. (10:00)


It doesn't need to be a long ordeal, maybe half an hour or so? I don't want to interfere with people's meals and stuff.

[tiorthan]

Fine by me.

[Liet_Kynes]

Hi,

I've registrated myself after I've read about your idea to conversate via Skype. To use your English practically is surely the most effective way to get fluent, so I would like to join in.

Yet I have a headset (borrowed from my sister ), I never worked with Skype. I guess, the next step is to registrate myself at Skype, and then send you my number. Is there anything else to do for joining your group?

Greetings

Liet

[tiorthan]

Skype will guide you through the registration process upon the first start of the program.

[Pennsylvanian]

Yet I have a headset (borrowed from my sister ), I never worked with Skype. I guess, the next step is to registrate myself at Skype, and then send you my number. Is there anything else to do for joining your group?

That should do it