Video chat programs such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc. have gained popularity throughout this whole pandemic.
And not without reason – it is unbelievably useful to be able to conduct business meetings or hangouts with friends from the comfort of your own home.
Another super useful aspect you might not have thought about yet is language learning.
Now you can not only talk to your coworker Bob on Zoom, but you can also learn German through Skype!
Why learn German through Skype?
Maybe you’re asking yourself, why you should possibly start learning German through Skype, I mean, what is the use in that?
But if you’ve ever tried learning German by yourself, you know how hard it can be to stay disciplined.
And that’s the number one reason why learning this language through Skype will immensely help you on your journey!
Discipline and Motivation
Having a set appointment with an actual human being will make you a lot more likely to show up and keep studying! Plus, it will motivate you to give your best!
Fun
Another reason why learning German through Skype is a great opportunity is that it is simply a lot more fun than cramming by yourself.
Finding the right partner or tutor will help immensely when you learn a language.
You learn more
Learning German through Skype will enable you to learn more, and especially more efficiently.
Having a tutor or teacher will not only aid you in improving your pronunciation and grammar immensely, but you will also be able to understand complex concepts a lot better when there is someone explaining them to you as opposed to you reading a dry article about it yourself.
How can I learn German through Skype?
Now that you know why it might be a great idea to learn German through Skype, it is time to figure out how to do it.
The first thing you should ask yourself is, what do you need? Are you looking for a teacher or tutor?
Or do you simply want a native speaker who will talk to you and improve your speaking skills?
Tutor/Teacher
A tutor or teacher is a great choice when you need some assistance in learning the concepts of the language and to get some great explanations for the things you don’t understand.
Finding a tutor is not hard, there are plenty of websites geared towards exactly this purpose.
You can try checking out Preply or iTalki, for starters. With the tutors and teachers you meet there, you can have lessons on Skype.
Language Buddy
If you know someone who speaks German, that is awesome. Maybe you guys can plan a meeting on Skype to practice conversational skills.
If you don’t know any German speakers yet, don’t despair.
There are websites that can connect you to people who want to learn your native language in exchange for teaching you theirs (in this case German).
Tandem or HelloTalk are famous examples of such websites.
Once you get to know someone and are comfortable with it, you can suggest moving from texting to Skype calls!
Another thing you can try is getting to know German speakers in Facebook groups or online, and seeing if anyone would want to just chat with you to improve your German!
Be creative!
There are many ways to use our new technology for good. All we usually need to do is be creative and come up with ideas that will help us in the long run.
To learn German on Skype, find yourself a tutor, or get to know a native speaker who is willing to help you out.
Skype can be an amazing tool for learning a language, without even having to leave the house in the first place!
Take advantage of that amazing technology and connect with native speakers all around the world!
Good luck!