The easiest programs for communication. Programs for communication in games

You and I know well that progress in mastering a new language comes when there is practice: you read, speak, listen, write in it.

Here are a few convenient programs on your mobile phone, through which you can communicate with foreigners every day by conversation, writing and voice messages, receiving feedback!

Bookmark this article so you don't lose the list!

Before you decide which app to use, I suggest you read the descriptions below and know their features.
Download one service that is most suitable for you to your phone, register and understand the basic functions.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the application, test it every day for a week.
In principle, the applications overlap in function and are similar in many ways. But we are all different, so everyone will choose what suits them.

By the way, my blog already has several reviews of applications and websites. Watch them to quickly get comfortable with your chosen program.

1 italki

My favorite service, which I never tire of recommending, because I myself use it without interruption and quite successfully. Although the main tool through which you can communicate with native speakers is Skype, on italki you will find the right teacher and interlocutor for this. Believe me, nothing could be easier than calling for half an hour and chatting. And your speaking skills will become stronger.

Here you can find a teacher for full lessons with homework and regular online meetings.
There is an option for conversational classes with a native speaker and a teacher to practice speaking and listening.
Convenient schedule and reminders about lessons by email and through an application on your phone.
There is an option for your own diary with comments, the ability to ask questions and get corrections from native speakers of the language you are learning, as well as help other people with this.

2 HelloTalk

The application can be used even without knowledge of languages, just to communicate with different people all over the world. The service offers special transliteration and translation functions for this purpose.

Can be recorded voice messages in Russian, and the application system will translate the phrase into the native language of the interlocutor. The same in reverse order.
There is a text chat with the possibility of mutual correction.
The function of checking and translating a message before sending it to the interlocutor.
You can automatically translate all messages sent by a native speaker into Russian.
Individual phrases from the chat can be saved and replayed.
For additional practice, open discussion threads to chat with native speakers in the comments.

3 Tandem

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.

An application that I discovered quite recently. I'm planning a review in the future. Using the service, you can learn a language through language exchange: you learn a foreign language, and in return you help someone who is learning your native language.

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.

Through the application, you can communicate through text and audio chats, as well as calls.

There are built-in translators and phrasebooks of phrases by topic, which makes communication easier.
You can select ready-made phrases for chatting and replace individual words in them.
There is voiceover of phrases: you can listen to them again and repeat them correctly.
Phrase games make it easier to remember new expressions.

5 Speaky

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.

Another opportunity to make multilingual friends around the world. The service offers more than 100(!) languages, and there is room to expand. I'm just starting to test. First impression: a simple interface and few functions (which I personally like, it’s immediately clear what and how).

Search for ideal interlocutors and like-minded people with similar interests.
Communication options via text chat, audio or video calls (to choose from).
It is advisable to immediately check the settings, otherwise after registration you will instantly begin to receive an endless stream of messages from a variety of people.

6 HiNative

Available on GooglePlay and AppStore.

It is always interesting to find out how and how people of other nationalities live, what traditions they observe, and how their way of life differs. Through this application you can ask almost any question you are interested in and quickly get an answer directly from foreigners.

The application has built-in templates for formulating questions.
You can use the function of uploading your audio recording so that native speakers can check the correctness of your pronunciation and send corrections.
Among the questions: in what situations to use this or that word, how to put punctuation marks correctly, urgent translation of phrases.

What service do I use?

When I have questions about language learning or translation, I open the HiNative app. As for the other services... In my opinion, HelloTalk, Hello Pal and Tandem are similar in function and purpose. IN at the moment I don’t use them because I don’t like activities without a goal and “extended over time.”

It is more convenient for me to assign a specific time and duration of the lesson to italki. You take a lesson on the chosen topic and get a clear result, and don’t just correspond “about nothing”. And here you can not only take regular lessons, but also simply practice conversation with a native speaker. By the way, there is an option to do this even without prior agreement.

If you have a goal for which you need to master English, but there is no system for studying and practicing it, follow my author’s step-by-step 30-day program. Every day you will do exercises to train every aspect of the language (from speaking to reading) and learn to apply English in life.

What applications for language practice with foreigners have you already tested? What did you like and what didn’t?

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The most popular instant messenger in the world from former Yahoo! employees, with over 450 million users, and main enemy mobile operators, because of which all reasonable owners of phones and smartphones will soon completely forget about SMS. Since 2009, it has successfully helped its users send text messages, as well as video, pictures and audio. At the same time, WhatsApp developers, unlike their competitors, focused specifically on messages, abandoning support for audio and video calls, which gave them the opportunity to bring their functionality to almost perfection. However, after the recent purchase of WhatsApp by Zuckerberg, it became known that voice calls may appear in the application.

iPhone owners can talk about iMessage as much as they want, which allows you to send messages and any files no less painlessly on your budget, but everyone has plenty of friends who use Android and other platforms.

Free basic features

Synchronization
With phone book

Stickers

PROS

CONS

The application can be used for free only for the first year, after which you will have to pay $0.99. Although those who bought the app a long time ago at the price of $0.99 have now received a lifetime subscription.

iPad is not supported.

You cannot make calls over the Internet via WhatsApp - all calls are made exclusively through your mobile operator.

Facebook Messenger

Facebook recently bought WhatsApp for $19 billion, but Zuckerberg continues to slowly develop his messenger. Having gotten rid of an annoying competitor, which in just a few years had easily captured the Eastern and South American audience, he gained time to further improve his application. But, in our opinion, Facebook Messenger is already quite good, and its only drawback is that it is aimed exclusively at Facebook users. Until Zuckerberg resolves this issue, the road to big world messenger application is closed.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

Synced well with Facebook - when you receive a message, you'll be taken to Messenger, but can also be taken back to your Facebook feed. But if all this were combined in one application, it would be much more convenient.

The stickers here are extremely varied. Actually, just exchanging these funny emojis can be done endlessly.

Minimalist functionality - it's just a messenger, nothing extra.

CONS

The main disadvantage of the messenger is that it is only available Facebook users. This is actually a plus, but it automatically removes it from the list of universal messengers available to absolutely everyone.

Line

A Japanese messenger with a standard set of functions for sending messages and files, which is also a gaming platform and a mini-social network. In addition to, in fact, the basic functionality of a regular messenger, Line allows users to share their statuses and comment on others - in general, do the same thing as in other social networks. A long time ago, the main difference of this application were funny stickers with funny cartoons, which became one of the founders of the emoji fashion, but now this will not surprise anyone.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

The main difference of this application is its funny stickers, reminiscent of emoticons from Facebook and, in fact, significantly inferior to them.

A large list of games that you can play with your chat partner. But who actually plays them is not clear.

Line supports official celebrity accounts, although there are not very many of them so far - we were only able to find Katy Perry and Paul McCartney.

CONS

Even if you synchronize with your phone book, you will see a pathetic list of three friends in the application.

Most of the stickers and other additional pleasures are paid separately - 66 rubles apiece.

Viber

The second most popular instant messenger after WhatsApp, it differs only in the presence of audio calls, a smaller user base and a less sophisticated design. In the end, if you like to communicate through instant messengers and focus your choice primarily on your friends, then Viber should definitely appear on your phone: it is used by that part of your friends who have ignored WhatsApp.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

With Viber you can call even those users who do not have it installed. This service is called Viber Out and costs money - prices can be found in Viber itself. Considering the Internet fee, this will not cost you much less than regular calls.

CONS

Due to its Israeli origins, Viber is suspected by Egyptian and Lebanese authorities of supporting Zionist spies. Therefore, before traveling to Lebanon, it is better to install another messenger for insurance.

The youngest, but at the same time one of the most promising representatives of the messenger family, created in 2013 by Pavel Durov’s company Digital Fortress. On the very first day of the launch, the entire Internet accused the creators of 100% plagiarism of WhatsApp (they even have similar dialogue backgrounds!) and many other errors, and at the same time once again reminded Durov of the similarities between VKontakte and Facebook. Meanwhile, this messenger has a number of undeniable advantages like high speed loading everything, good information security and other pleasant little things. According to Durov, Telegram, as we see it now, is just an intermediate product, which after proper testing can become completely different, and the visual similarity with its older brother is just a starting point. At the same time, the lack of a Russian interface, which all schoolchildren continue to complain about, clearly hints at grandiose plans to capture the world market.

FREE CORE FEATURES

NO ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS

SYNCHRONIZATION
WITH PHONE BOOK

GREAT PROBABILITY OF FINDING YOUR FRIENDS

OPPORTUNITY TO SEND DIFFERENT TYPES OF FILES

STICKERS

PROS

Instead of the usual stickers for competitors, there is a search for images throughout the Internet, that is, instead of a paid image with a dancing walrus from a limited set of the application, you can attach to a message a photo of absolutely any walrus from the Internet, or even a hippopotamus.

Integration with VKontakte is completely absent, and this is a plus, at least because even if VKontakte is closed or Durov himself finally leaves there, the messenger will remain afloat.

To the delight of Android fans, Durov perceives this platform as the main one for this application.

CONS

Unfortunately for iOS fans, Durov sees Android as the main platform for this application.

Snapchat

The messenger of the future with self-destructing information and simply an ideal communication application that erases all your messages a maximum of ten seconds after reading. The most interesting thing is that each text must be accompanied by a photo or video taken in real time. With these unusual and uncomfortable rules, Snapchat most closely resembles real interaction between people, and not the pre-prepared monologues that we are accustomed to when corresponding on social networks and other instant messengers. After all, everything you say in a normal conversation is not recorded on hard drive and after a while it disappears forever. To experience these unprecedented sensations, you just need to register, take a photo, put some simple text on top, set the destruction timer from one to ten seconds and send the resulting message to one of your friends.

FREE CORE FEATURES

It would seem that choosing such a program is not a problem. But when it comes to adding a dozen new interlocutors to a conference, sharing the screen, recording a conversation or streaming on YouTube, it becomes clear that one or another function is missing. How not to make a mistake when installing a program for video calls from a computer, read our article.

Questions:

How to make free calls over the Internet?

How to send messages over the Internet?

How to register on Skype for the first time?

Other questions about communicating via the Internet

According to the results of our research by a wide margin Two applications are in the lead. Hangouts has the most universal functionality, but in terms of communication quality and ease of use - which is probably the most important thing - it is somewhat inferior to Skype.
In addition, the prevalence of programs must be taken into account. So, despite all its advancement, Hangouts has not yet been able to become the most used video calling application. In our opinion, main reason This is due to the focus on the web interface and, as a result, inconvenient management. In this regard, Skype definitely wins.

According to the authors, for full-fledged video communication at a distance using Skype, a PC with a dual-core processor and an Internet connection no slower than 512 kbps is enough. We also add that the developers from Microsoft decided to integrate Skype application in Windows 10. And if everything suits you, you won’t have to look for alternatives.

Google Hangouts has replaced Google Talk. Windows users can use the web version of the application, available as an extension for common ones, or simply log in to your GMail account in Google browser Chrome.

If you have a Google account, working with this software is easier. You can start a call directly from Gmail or Google Plus. In Hangouts, you can create a group video conference for ten interlocutors, share the screen, chat, and take notes without minimizing the communication window. Plus, with Hangouts you can stream live content directly to YouTube. In general, there are so many functions that at first you even get a little confused.
Personally, our impression was also spoiled by the fact that establishing a connection from the application to mobile platform with a user working with Hangouts in a browser is very problematic. Simply because the person may have another tab open and will not notice your call.

ooVoo - popular free program for video calls from a computer. When compared with Skype, there are no fundamental differences in the level of communication. At the same time, this client program provides a free group video chat in which up to 12 users can participate.

As for voice calls, a maximum of three people can communicate in this mode for free (you can connect up to six people, but for a fee). Function Video Call Recording allows you to record a telephone or video conversation for free.
ooVoo is also actively expanding to tablets and smartphones. The ability to switch between interlocutors is also provided. The only drawback of the application is that it is not promoted. To be honest, when testing, we personally liked the “picture” quality in ooVoo the most.

The program has become incredibly popular over the past few years. Millions of fans of comfortable online communication have managed to download Viber to their computer, although the majority of the application’s 450 million audience are users mobile devices. The desktop version is often installed for video calls to acquaintances and friends who find themselves with a tablet or smartphone somewhere in nature or abroad.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to create a video conference in Viber. But during one-on-one video communication, you will not notice any “slowdowns”. Of course, provided that the Internet connection speed is good.

This messenger with support for video calls has gained great popularity in Asia and the USA. And recently, European users began to actively install it. And there is a reasonable explanation for this.

The application attracts with its minimalist interface and some options typical for social networks. So, you can view friends’ feeds, comment on photos and rate statuses. In addition, the program developers have implemented file sharing different formats. You can do this during a video session, as well as exchange messages.
Once launched, you will be able to import contacts from your mobile device and call anyone who also has LINE installed. It is noteworthy that the video call is available for recording, but there is a limit of no more than ten seconds.

IN latest version ICQ developers have made a number of improvements in the quality of voice and video calls. The new engine on which the popular messenger runs will allow you to communicate in full screen mode, while VGA 640x480 resolution will be provided during video calls. But group video conferences on ICQ are not available.

To implement voice call, just one click is enough. But we can only talk for free with a user who also has an ICQ client installed. To make a call to a landline or mobile phone, you need to deposit money into a virtual account. As a rule, regular calls via ICQ occur without delays or interruptions.

Tango was designed primarily for mobile devices as a calling app for tablets, allowing users to call each other for free while connected to the Internet. The company thought about PC users only after releasing versions for Android and iOS.

It's easy to synchronize contacts from your phone with your computer - you just need to enter your phone number or email address. All that Tango for PC requires is Windows OS and a network connection with a speed of at least 4 Mbps. And, of course, a web camera and a headset (or speakers). I can't help but be pleased with the fact that to start Tango you don't need to create an account or log in.
This software will fit perfectly on most modern smartphones and communicators with front cameras. But on a PC you may be somewhat disappointed by the image quality during a video call.

How to improve the quality of communication?

During video calls, you may experience stuttering and stuttering. The reason for this is often not the speed of the Internet connection, but the processes running on the computer. Therefore, before making a video call, we recommend that you close all unnecessary applications. The same applies to browser tabs.
It also doesn’t hurt to clean your computer of components that “clog” the system. This can be done using optimizers such as or . To ensure safety and high performance We recommend installing an anti-virus suite on your computer, equipped with tools for optimizing the system.

If you found interesting features in two or three programs, you can download them together. But be sure to keep in mind that such applications place a significant load on computer resources, so using them simultaneously is recommended only in exceptional cases.

In the current information age, almost every person has a smartphone. It often distracts us and interferes with our lives. But let's try to tame him and force him to be good for us, and not evil? I have collected the most best apps(apps, programs) for communicating with foreigners, for learning a language with a native speaker, for traveling to countries with an unfamiliar language environment. And so let's get started.

HelloTalk

HelloTalk- Very good app to communicate with foreigners, in it you select the language that you want to learn and you can immediately select a native speaker of this language to study or just to communicate according to the criteria: age, country, language. You can talk, make calls (free), see each other through the camera, write text messages, eat good search native speakers, including local ones (who are near you). There is a built-in translator, so there is no need to be afraid if something is not clear, you can always translate it. A very convenient correction system, you can immediately correct beautifully what your partner wrote incorrectly. There are applications for iPhone and Android.

To get the most out of the HelloTalk app there are a few things to keep in mind.

Firstly HelloTalk is, at its core, social network tailored to the search for a language partner, and not a language teaching service. That is, considering that it is also free, NO ONE OWES YOU ANYTHING. If you do not have good communication skills, are not able to initiate an interesting conversation, or maintain the topic of conversation in English, then learn this first.

Think about how much time you want to spend teaching others, and how much time teaching yourself.
Decide what language you want to practice.
Make a list of skills you would like to gain or topics you would like to study.
Determine how much time you will spend communicating in HelloTalk. This can be seriously lengthy, so it's best to set limits in advance!

Secondly, take a normal photo of yourself. People are not interested in talking to a crocodile, a dog, etc. Remember that you meet people by their clothes, a person with real photo, a real name, a reliable description of your profile will generate much more trust and will have a higher chance of communicating with a native. Sorry, but this is competition. There are many Russians - there are few razors. Scientists conducted a study and found that we create our impression of a person in just 40 milliseconds! Moreover, researchersFaculty of Psychology at the University of York analyzed a variety of facial expressions that help make a good first impression. So, in simple words:

Smile, preferably so that your teeth are visible.
The photo should include your face and shoulders or even your body to the waist.
Avoid covering your eyes with glasses or a hat, for example. Make sure your eyes are clearly visible.
Choose a simple, uniform background.

Thirdly, add a detailed self-presentation, describe yourself. Many people write a few words and that’s it. If you are unable to describe yourself, what can we talk to you about? This means that you are not serious about language exchange and after a couple of messages you will disappear. And the trust in empty profiles is corresponding. It is quite possible that you will be perceived as a bot. Describe your interests so that people with similar interests can contact you. Seems logical, but most people don't do it!

Fourth, if you know or are studying another language, add it and indicate how proficient you are in it. Your chances of finding someone to talk to will increase dramatically! Because this immediately puts you a step higher than someone who knows or studies only one foreign language.The languages you set as your primary ones should be the ones you are currently focusing on studying.

Fifthly, be picky about people. Start communicating with participants who have a well-filled profile and a normal human photo. You can also focus on academic scores, although this is not an exact criterion. In the description, you can indicate that you want to communicate only with women or men; of course, this is not a guarantee that anxious Indians and Arabs will not knock on your door, but there will be fewer of them. Study the "Privacy" and "Who Can Find Me" sections well. There you can choose so that only people with the same gender as you can find you “Same Gender Only”. In Privacy, you can configure not to show your city, age, or not receive calls.

In addition, HelloTalk can be very useful when you are already abroad. The application has a function to search for participants who are near you "nearest" or you can use the search by city. Those. you can meet the host in person and even ask for a tour of the city. Also, locals are an inexhaustible source useful information: "Where is the best place to eat? Where to go? Where to go for fun?"

4 crazy ideas on how to attract natives

Become a superhero

Imagine that you are Flash, Batman, Aladdin, etc. Put images, preferences, interests of this hero. Speak like him, get used to this image. Let's say Ilya Muromets wants to learn English. Something unusual always attracts people. This good opportunity avoid the usual questions like: “Why are you studying English?”

Ask about pizza

Ask some interesting non-standard question instead of “how are you”: “What kind of pizza do you like?”, “Do you like pandas?”, “If you could taste any fruit, which one would you choose?” Use your imagination and come up with something interesting question. Don't be passive mu-mu, be creative.

Speak with pictures

Draw something so that the person understands what you want from him. And he will draw you in response. This is a very good exercise for a situation when you don’t know how to express something using your vocabulary or the person doesn’t understand what you want from him. And the language of pictograms is universal. Learning a language is often a chore, and such interesting exercises will bring a fresh spirit to your communication.

Don't panic

At the beginning, it may seem to you that no one is paying attention to you, no one wants to communicate with you, the system is not working. But this is an erroneous feeling; in fact, there are many psychological aspects here: people are in no hurry to come into contact with stranger, they are tired of the same type of questions like “How are you? Where are you from?” and silence. Develop your communication skills, be able to get a person to talk, and not wait for him to start involving you in a conversation. Be active, show participation in a person’s life, and he will answer you in kind. Also remember that you are communicating with real people who want to sleep, eat, shop, and not just sit on their smartphone and wait for you to write to them. Don't forget about time zones: when we sleep, they are awake and vice versa. The greatest peak of activity is late in the evening, when it is morning in the USA, Canada, and very early in the morning, when it is evening there.

Video about the native language learning app HelloTalk:

HiNative

HiNative - Fantastic app for learning English, Spanish, French and other languages. In it you can ask various questions to real speakers and receive qualified answers. Because when you learn a foreign language, you have a lot of questions: “How to say this? How to pronounce it correctly? Am I speaking clearly? What are the attractions in the city you came to from abroad?” etc. The host cannot sit around the clock and wait for your question, but here this problem is solved through collective intelligence - someone will always answer your question, and in return your participation is required, your answers to the questions of foreigners. The faster and better you answer, the more points you get, and then your questions will rise higher, and you will get answers to your questions faster. There is an online version of HiNative on the website, applications for iPhone and Android.