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Online Communication Tools for Working in a Language Tandem

In addition to face-to-face meetings, remote tandems are also possible in the form of telephone and video conferences.

Below you will find an overview of various communication tools that are particularly suitable for working in a language tandem. Advantages and disadvantages are listed for each programme. At the Philipps University, we particularly recommend using the university's BigBlueButton web-conference-service!

If both partners of the language tandem are neither lecturers, staff nor students of the university, you are also welcome to use the other conference platforms (Zoom, Skype, Discord).

  • BigBlueButton

    Advantages
    • Open source web conference system (rooms are created on the servers of the HRZ of the University of Marburg)
    • Web conferences with up to 250 participants
    • Easy to use
    • Free of charge
    • Important functions for online teaching:
      • Sharing of audios/videos
      • Sharing of screen
      • Uploading of presentations
      • Chat with all or individual participants
      • Conducting of polls and surveys
      • Whiteboard for collaborative content development
      • Shared notes for the development of content of for minutes
      • Break-out rooms: use of additional rooms for group work for a defined period of time
      • Recording option
      • Integration in ILIAS: creating of a web conference room directly in courses and groups
      • Telephone dial-in possible (e.g. as a fallback in case of audio problems)
    • No download necessary; to create a conference, simply log in with your university account via your browser (recommended: Chrome, Chromium, Firefox)
    • Participants do not need a university account
    • Moderation/presentation rights can be passed on to others
    • Backup of results (chat/whiteboard/shared notes)
    • Possibility to send invitation links for meetings à possibility to participate in meetings without an own account
    • BBB-rooms can be password protected
    • Possibility to set up a virtual waiting room to decide who can enter the meeting
    • The “learning group“ format is particularly recommended for language tandem work
    Disadvantages
    • No file sharing possible
    • Limited use via mobile devices (Apple & Android)

  • Discord

    Advantages
    • Available for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, macOS
    • No registration necessary, just choose a username (for more functions and features, link to your own email address)
    • Any number of users with guest access possible
    • Audio conferences possible for large numbers of users
    • Free of charge
    • Invitation of participants via link
    • Team messenger
    • Create channels on invidivual topics
    • Good audio codec (high audio quality)
    • Exchange of videos, pictures, links, screensharing
    Disadvantages
    • No sharing of complex files
    • Only the creator of a conversation/chatroom can share the screen
    • Video conferences best for only two people, audio conferences better for multiple people
    • No end-to-end encryption; captures personal data exchanged during use

  • Skype

    Advantages
    • Available for Android, Windows, iOS
    • Phone calls, video conferences, chat function (groups and private)
    • Encrypted
    • Normal version free of charge
    • Moderator can share screen
    • Subtitle/translator function
    • Log in on several devices at the same time à Call history can retrieved at any time
    • Recording and leaving of video messages possible
    • Files and pictures can be shared in the chat
    • Can be integrated into Outlook
    Disadvantages
    • Notifications do not always work reliably
    • High battery drain
    • Handling not entirely clear

  • Zoom

    Advantages
    • Available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Blackberry
    • Web conferences/webinars with up to 100 participants
    • Suitable for virtual teamwork, online training and online demonstrations
    • Easy to use
    • Free demo version (only face-to-face and group conferences possible)
    • Sending of text messages, files and recordings possible
    • Moderator can share screen
    • Possibility to send meeting invitations à participating in the meeting without own account
    • Sending of meeting ID instead of invitation link (for better protection)
    • Protecting of meetings with good passwords
    • Possibility to set up a virtual waiting room to decide who can enter the meeting
    Disadvantages
    • High lack of data protection
    • Hacker attacks possible (camera access even AFTER use has ended)
    • With free version meetings only possible for 40 minutes
    • Zoombombing