Using Skype in language classrooms would provide an effective and low-cost way for students to learn. Skype allows for face-to-face conversations with native speakers around the world. While the Skype program is free, providing each student with a laptop would cost around $6,000 for a class of 20 students. However, the laptops could be reused in future classes. Speaking to others through Skype would help students learn pronunciation, cultural understanding, and colloquial language in a more natural way than textbooks alone.

1. ちと市八と私費の真美日致死茎地理の
みひれ地なく聞けいてみは散ると眞子
日地玲子めりのと日散る野間古希目照
り意は身今の気味地理のみ姫とりこ基
地照り意味目は根元氏姫地理低の身は
目致死とも措置テレいらすまれ手間は
地目利子ねと身ひれ目にテイク見知る
Technology & Language Learning
EDT 321
待て姫根も低費も毛目たら今たれに巣
Mya Prestwood
子はめりの致死の区晴れらに地底組晴
れ間のたて身氏に名低切れて三原には
暮れめり子は峰元氷見らに停泊利己は
ひれの敵込み桁低マラにあくはこれ麻
痺見てリマ晴れら祖道と閉める根は物
たらせて句碑身マテの閉め富派も背に
テクは好み氏けりいてに効く見れまり
間のていはこけらりていてのきみりの
にみ

2. Contents
Using Skype to Learn Languages..................................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
What is Skype? ............................................................................................................................................3
Cost Estimate...............................................................................................................................................4
Cost of Skype...........................................................................................................................................5
Cost of Laptops........................................................................................................................................5
Walmart. Compaq Black 15.6" Presario CQ57-339WM Laptop PC with Intel Celeron B800 Processor and
Windows 7 Home Premium with Windows 8 Pro Upgrade Option.
<http://www.walmart.com/ip/Compaq-Black-15.6-Presario-CQ57-339WM-Laptop-PC-with-Intel-
Celeron-B800-Processor-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium/17270250>......................................................5
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................7
References...................................................................................................................................................8
Prestwood 2

3. Mya Prestwood
EDT 321
Prather
29 June 2012
Using Skype to Learn Languages
Introduction
Most people agree that the most effective way to learn a new language is to travel to
where the intended language is dominant. Learning from a book is never
really an effective way to learn the colloquial usage of tones or phrases.
Now that we have the technology to be able to speak face to face
with people all over the world, the ability to practice languages has become increasingly
sufficient. Instead of travelling across the world we are able to globally converse
anytime we want without going anywhere. Since it seems that learning languages is
best by conversation with natural speakers, using Skype should be utilized in language
class rooms as it is one of the best ways to effectively learn a language.
What is Skype?
Skype is a free online phone service available for download. It allows users to message,
play games, call, and even speak face to face on a webcam! For users who want to add
more features, there is an option to pay a fee and be able to call cell
phones, landlines and even have your own Skype phone number so
people can call you directly without them having to use Skype1.
1
"Free Skype Internet Calls and Cheap Calls to Phones Online - Skype.“ Skype. Web.
<http://www.skype.com/>.
Prestwood 3

4. Cost Estimate
I expect the average language classroom to be somewhere between 10-20 students. I
will estimate the cost for the entire 20 students and prove that it is entirely
cost effective to use Skype in the classroom. Fortunately, there are
only really two costs to calculate:
• The cost of Skype itself
• The cost of providing individual laptops for students
Skype In Language Classroom Cost Estimate
Student Laptop Skype Average Minimum Maximum Median
Amar $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Armando $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
David $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Euijoo $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Ezekial $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Gunther $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Henry $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Hien $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Lisa $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Michael $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Raed $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Robert $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Roosa $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Sally $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Satoshi $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Sumiko $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Sylvester $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Vanessa $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Vijay $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Yu $300 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Totals $6,000 $0.00 $150 $0 $300 $150
Prestwood 4

5. Cost of Skype
The Skype program itself is entirely free when used with other Skype members, which
we of course would. The real cost to consider for the school board would be to provide
the students with individual laptops.
Cost of Laptops
Low quality laptops such as the Compaq Black 15.6" Presario CQ57-339WM can be
purchased at Wal-Mart for only $2982. So for each student to use a laptop would only
cost approximately $6000. The benefits of this type of learning far outweigh the low cost
of computers that will be passed on to the next classes each semester as well. So
2
Walmart. Compaq Black 15.6" Presario CQ57-339WM Laptop PC with Intel Celeron B800 Processor
and Windows 7 Home Premium with Windows 8 Pro Upgrade Option.
<http://www.walmart.com/ip/Compaq-Black-15.6-Presario-CQ57-339WM-Laptop-PC-with-Intel-
Celeron-B800-Processor-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium/17270250>
Prestwood 5

6. there’s only a onetime fee to consider to provide the laptops.
Prestwood 6

7. Conclusion
Having Skype in language classrooms would be beneficial for students because it
creates a virtual learning environment for everyone involved that would be far more
effective than pen pals or book work alone. Students would be
able to learn from native speakers and ask real questions to
learn both the language and the culture. This would help eliminate
any stereotypes as well. Although there are some grammatical rules
and vocabulary that can be learned in a traditional format, most people who are learning
a language have one goal in mind which is to sound natural. Without the ability to hear
how natural speakers sound it can be challenging to pronounce certain phonetics or
comprehend some interpretations.
Experience
Learning While
Teaching
Advantages of
Learning with
Skype
Learn About Make Lifelong
Other Friends!
Cultures.
Prestwood 7

8. References
"Free Skype Internet Calls and Cheap Calls to Phones Online - Skype.“ Skype. Web.
<http://www.skype.com/>.
Walmart. Compaq Black 15.6" Presario CQ57-339WM Laptop PC with Intel Celeron
B800 Processor and Windows 7 Home Premium with Windows 8 Pro Upgrade
Option. <http://www.walmart.com/ip/Compaq-Black-15.6-Presario-
CQ57-339WM-Laptop-PC-with-Intel-Celeron-B800-Processor-and-
Windows-7-Home-Premium/17270250>
Prestwood 8