Dear all,

I am currently researching the topic of using language learning sites or social media to practise or learn languages collaboratively. I thought it might be a good idea if we shared our tips on sites we use explaining why.  

I use:

italki to read and take part in discussions about language learning + find partners and ask for or give corrections

Duolingo to practise structures, pronunciations and vocab in the languages I am working on and to explore new languages

Facebook groups to read and take part in discussions threads around the language learning

ConversationExchange to find language partners

and you? 

Anna

HI,

Recently I have been talking with  some fellow language learners who mentioned that they like to come out from their comfort zone when practising their target languages.

I am not sure I like it but I have certainly experienced it, for instance  one example of stepping out from my comfort zone has been when I joined an online French group where I had to speak without seeing who was there and without knowing the other people in the group.

What is your idea of stepping out from your comfort zone? Are the others helpful or what?

Hi,

following up from another discussion (https://www.italki.com/discussion/194996) about ideas on the time we spend to learn a language, I wonder....

How important it is for you  to interact with other people in the target language in order to  feel that you are improving? What activities do you do together (either one-to-one or in groups)?  Any thoughts?

Are you an individual learner who prefers to work on your own through your learning material and then exchange langs with native speakers or other learners OR do you actually try to learn together with other people ? And if so, how do you do it?

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts

Have a good weekend!

A

Today checking some notebook entries  I came across the following expression:

Best Answer - Chosen by the Asker. 

Who is the asker?

Thanks

Does anyone know what are the points we have displayed  on our   user's profile for? How do we gain them and what do we do with them?

I am interested in ways how we can keep track of our language learning journey and assess improvement.

I normally set short-term goals because it makes it easier to check whether I am actually making any progress. My interlocutors also help in providing feedback and making suggestions. i am also aware that goals might change along the way and depends on the skill(s) I am focusing on...

What about you? How do you keep track of and assess your learning?

Mi piace italki  perché mi piace leggere commenti interessanti (che sono per lo più ahimé in Inglese) che le persone fanno su aspetti vari dell'apprendimento delle lingue,, ma anche mi piace condividere idee, ed esperienze su diverse culture e anche leggere  messaggi a tono un po' più umoristico (non molti, per la verità).Ho iniziato anche a riconoscere qualche nome ricorrente nelle varie threads.

Ho usato anche altri siti, ma mi sembra che non abbiano molto da offrire a parte la possibilità di trovare un partner. Ma al momento non mi interessa fare scambi; preferisco entrare in contatto con diversi punti di vista perché rendono l'esperienza più interessante.

Allora ecco la mia domanda: voi qui su italki vi sentite parte di una comunità (o forse di più comunità, a seconda degli spazi che occupate)? O, pensate che gli altri sono anonimi? Penso alla vostra esperienza di quando usate questo sito.

Grazie in anticipo per le vostre valide osservazioni :-)

Anna

I like italki, I like reading interesting threads about language learning, shared ideas or experiences of different cultures and more funny posts. And I like to correct people's notebook entries. i can even recognise some names as some of you are really active participants in the discussion threads...I have used other language sites but did not feel they offered  much apart from giving  me the opportunity to connect with other learners who could be my partners. However, I am not that interested in one-to-one exchanges right now. I find much more rewarding  engaging with multiple perspectives. It makes life much more interesting.

Here is my question: do you feel part of a community here (or indeed many communities) or do you still feel that everybody is anonymous? I mean, I am not talking about your relations with your language partners, I am talking about your life in italki and how feel in relations to other learners when you inhabit this space.

I look forward to reading your ideas.

Thank you for sharing :-)

Anna

Hi,

I am curious to know how your language partners (whether in a language exchange) or on the site (through the discussion forum or notebook feature, can really help you with your language skills.

Thanks

Anna