Archive for June, 2007

Hosting Skypecast: Albert’s Story

June 25, 2007

For many of Kantalk users, join a group conversation at Skypecast for the first few times can be uncomfortable. Well, it’s hard for anyone to talk to strangers, let alone do it with a second language. Then, how about create and host a Skypecast? All right, let’s just say many of us would rather sit in a dentist’s chair.

However, Albert, a.k.a. Wildcats9, from Philippine, took a leap of faith a few months ago and began to host Skypecasts through Kantalk. He wants to improve his spoken English in order to advance his career. Apparently, that’s a strong enough motivation to keep him going, since he has been doing it almost daily, sometimes twice a day, under the title of Talking Room For Non-Native English Speakers or English as a Second Language.

Over time, he has built a group of the followers who joined him regularly. Not a surprise. He even lined up a couple of co-hosts from different countries to help him out. He must have made an impressive progress, because someone suggested that Albert should be an English radio talk show host someday; probably not the career in his mind when he first started out here.

For those Kantalk users who are equally motivated to improve spoken English, but feel unease to host a Skypecast, join Albert’s room and ask him for tips. Most likely, he would tell you what you already heard many times in the Nike’s ads.

Just Do It.

Join a Study Group to Transcribe YouTube Videos

June 20, 2007

Nothing makes us happier than our users telling us they love the features we developed. The latest example is the video transcribing.

We firmly believe transcribing is an excellent way to improve one’s listening comprehension. That’s why we added YouTube video feature a few weeks ago. Since then, one of our users, Sting, quickly became a top contributor. He submitted many YouTube clips and did a wonderful job in transcribing them.

It turned out Sting is a leader of a fascinating study group in China. He started the group last year to take advantage of YouTube’s rich offerings. Its members, all dedicated English learners, have since grown to over 200 from all over the world.

Each day they assign one video clip as the group homework. Using QQ, a popular IM tool in Asia, they help one another transcribe it, and have done over 200 so far. Apparently, they have a lot of fun in doing it. And learning too.

If anyone wants to join Sting’s study group and eager to take on his homework, feel free to contact him. His QQ ID is 287033838.

You Can Create Multiple Recordings Now

June 11, 2007

Recording “Please Tell Stella” is quite a popular feature at KanTalk. Many of you have done it. Even more have listened to others’ recordings and posted comments. Some of the recordings were quite creative, and tremendously fun to play over and over.

We thought it’s a great idea to let loose our users’ creativity. So we made multiple recordings available today. Besides recording “Please Call Stella” to get feedback on accent and pronunciation, you now can record a response to a TOEFL (speaking section) sample question. Better yet, we also provide a blank space so that you can record whatever your want: reciting a poem, singing a song, impersonating a politician or a comedian, or just talk about yourself.

Ladies and Gentlemen, ready? Start your engine, erh, Record button.

Who’s Talking?

June 4, 2007

Since we released the recording feature on KanTalk, many of our users recorded the “Please Call Stella” paragraph to check out their pronunciation and accent. More and more users who signed up recently also recorded a voice introduction in their profile.

You can now search for these audio introductions when you select “With Audio Intro” box on the Search page. Listen to them all. And if you haven’t done so, record your own introduction. You never know, you might make a lot more new friends when others can hear your voice!

Many of you also asked if you could record more. Yes, we are working on that. You will soon be able to record more.

Another feature we added based on user request is the ability to enter multiple languages to learn. You can now enter 3 languages to learn in your Profile.

Please email us at admin@kantalk.com or click the Feedback link to send us your comments and suggestions.