Skype: learning through Internet telephony
Skype, the software product provides telephone service through Voice over IP, allowing your personal computer to act like a telephone. A microphone attached to the computer is necessary and headphones are desirable (to prevent echoes of the voice of your conversation partner). It is not the only such tool, nor the first, but because it provides good quality (through highly efficient compression) and is free, it has become widely used.
The software is based on peer-to-peer networking, from the creators of the file sharing programme Kazaa (http://www.kazaa.com/us/index.htm) and runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, or PocketPC. Normally, calls are from computer to computer and are free. It is also possible to use Skype to call a land-based phone (rather than another Skype user), but that requires a fee (using a service called SkypeOut). Skype generally works well, even through firewalls. The sound quality is dependent on the network and is very good with a broadband connection. It is possible to link up to five people through Skype for conference calls. One member of the group acts as the convener and enters the Skype ids of call participants. The current version of the software does not allow users to join subsequently Skype conference calls. The sound quality of Skype with multiple participants in the same conversation tends to degrade somewhat.
The technology:
It is possible to configure an existing phone (including cordless phones) to work with Skype using a USB to RJ11 connector in the US or similar converters for other phone systems. Special handsets are also available which sport both a USB and an ordinary phone connection, allowing switching between Skype and a traditional phone line. Skype has initiated a new service called SkypeIn, which allows Skype users to purchase a phone number (available only in selected countries), allowing them to receive calls from non-Skype users calling on a regular telephone. It is possible to send instant messages from a GSM mobile phone to Skype users, using a freeservice. A software answering machine service (SAM) is also available for Skype. Skype calls can be recorded (using a dedicated programme such as HotRecorder or other audio software). Some bloggers are recording interviews or conference calls with Skype, saving the files as MP3s and then posting them to their blogs, called SkypeCasting.
Given the low cost, conferencing capabilities, and recording option, there are any number of possibilities for using Skype in language learning. The most obvious is to connect users in distant locations for free conversational practice. A group of ESL instructors has been using Skype in class-to-class exchanges and there are several sites (such as http://langtech.dickinson.edu/globalclass/login.aspx) for integrating Skype. Skype has recently added video conferencing (through a third-party add-on, Video4Skype), which offers even more possibilities.
Download
It can be downloaded at:
http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/
