Frequently Asked Question – Preguntas Frecuentes
– Puedes tener diferentes compañeros de conversación. Entendemos que puede tomarte algún tiempo encontrar el compañero indicado, así como que puede haber varios “compañeros indicados”. No estarás limitado a tener solo un compañero de intercambio
– You may have different conversation partners. We understand that it might take a few times to find a right fit. And there may be several “right fits”. You are not limited to 1 exchange partner.
– No, lo más importante a considerar es la consistencia y la sostenibilidad. ¿A qué tipo de horario puedes comprometerte por un período largo de tiempo para poder ver tu crecimiento máximo del idioma?
– No, the most important thing to consider is consistency and sustainability. What type of schedule can you commit to for a long period of time to see the maximum language growth?
– Las horas de oficina son para las preguntas que tienes en cuanto al tema de la semana. No es instrucción privada. Necesitas descargar la aplicación de Zoom.
– The office hours are drop in Q&A & Practice of the week’s themes – it’s not 1:1 instruction. Please download the Zoom app to join.
– No, usarás alguna (o ambas) de estas apps gratuitas de conversación: Skype o WhatsApp.
– No, you will either use one or both of these FREE communication apps: Skype or WhatsApp.
– En tu perfil, puedes seleccionar tu disponibilidad y también puedes buscar un compañero con la misma disponibilidad que tú. ¡La clave es ser consistente en el tiempo!
– In your profile you will select your availability and you will look for a conversation partner that has the same availability as you. The key is consistency over time!
– Si estás listo practicar con un nativo del inglés – su nivel obviamente será más alto que el tuyo :). Pero si te gustaría empezar con otro aprendiz del inglés en vez de un nativo, puedes. Cuando creas tu perfil, se te pedirá que incluyas tu nivel. Luego podrás encontrar un compañero de conversación que tenga un mismo nivel que tú.
– When you build your profile, you will be asked to self-rate your level. You will want to find a conversational partner that has a similar level.
– ¡SÍ! Cuando creas tu perfil, puedes añadir tu profesión y buscar compañeros de conversación con la misma profesión para practicar estas conversaciones.
– YES! When you build your profile you will be able to list your profession and you can look for an exchange partner with that same profession to practice there conversations.
– Puedes tener diferentes compañeros de conversación. Entendemos que puede tomarte algún tiempo encontrar el compañero indicado, así como que puede haber varios “compañeros indicados”. No estarás limitado a tener solo un compañero de intercambio.
– You may have different conversation partners. We understand that it might take a few times to find a right fit. And there may be several “right fits”. You are not limited to 1 exchange partner.
– No, lo más importante a considerar es la consistencia y la sostenibilidad. ¿A qué tipo de horario puedes comprometerte por un período largo de tiempo para poder ver tu crecimiento máximo del idioma?
– No, the most important thing to consider is consistency and sustainability. What type of schedule can you commit to for a long period of time to see the maximum language growth?
– Es importante que sepas que no se espera que los miembros enseñen el idioma a su compañero. Es una práctica conversacional con otra persona. Algunos compañeros, dependiendo de su nivel del idioma y experiencia pueden naturalmente ofrecer más correcciones, mientras que otros no. Los instructores de idiomas no estarán en vivo con los participantes en la conversación, pero puedes anotar tus dudas y asistir a la sesión en vivo semanal para que tus preguntas sean respondidas y estés preparada para la siguiente conversación. Y por supuesto, siempre puedes enviarnos un email.
– It’s important to know that members are not expected to teach the language to the parter. It is practice speaking with one another. Some partners, depending on their lang. level and experience may naturally be able to provide more corrections, and others will not be able to. This is precisely why we have expert language coaches to help you navigate the questions and improve your communication. The lang. coaches will not be live with you in your conversations, but you can jot down your doubts and attend weekly office hours to get your questions answered so you are ready for next time. And of course you can always chat or email us.
– SÍ, hay flexibilidad. Una vez que las inscripciones cierren el 1 de mayo, podrás crear tu perfil y seleccionar tu disponibilidad. Puedes cambiar tu disponibilidad una vez por semana. Basándote en eso, podrás ver quién está disponible durante tus horarios libres.
– YES, there is flexibility. Once enrollment closes on May 1st, you will build your profile and select when you are available. You can change your availability in your profile on a week-by-week basis. Based off of that, you will be able to see who is available to you during your time frames.
– Les recomendamos a los participantes que se reúnan al menos una vez a la semana. La cantidad de tiempo que pasas en reunión con tu compañero depende de ustedes y puede variar cada semana. Creemos que es más importante tener un horario que sea consistente y sostenible por un período largo de tiempo. Les daremos consejos a los miembros sobre cómo programarse para lograr una máxima exposición, sostenibilidad y estilo de vida.
– We recommend you meet at least once a week. The amount of time you meet with your partner is up to you and it can vary week by week. We think it’s most important to set up a schedule that is consistent and sustainable for you over a long period of time. We’ll instruct members with tips about scheduling to maximize exposure, sustainability and lifestyle:).
– No estás solo/a. Hay otros trabajadores de la saludad que tienen horarios rotativos semanales en el grupo. Hay flexibilidad para que establezcas tu horario cada semana. Si te cuesta encontrar un compañero de conversación de acuerdo a tus horarios, haremos todo lo posible para ayudarte con ello.
– You are not alone. There are other healthcare workers with shifting schedules week by week in the group. There is the flexibility to set your schedule week by week. If you are having a hard time finding a conversation partner based off your schedule we will do all we can to help you.
No hay problema. Nuevos participantes se estarán uniendo cada semana. Aquí te listamos lo que necesitas para empezar:
1. Completa todos los pasos de la página de Inicio Rápido (Quick Start) para familiarizarte con Intercambio y aprender cómo encontrar un compañero de conversación.
2. Completa tu perfil.
3. Busca un/a compañero/a de conversación.
Not a problem! New people will be joining each week. Here is what you need to do to get set-up:
1. Complete all the steps on the Quick Start page to get familiar with Intercambio and learn how to find a conversational partner
2. Complete your profile
3. Search for a conversational partner
– Sí, por supuesto que está bien que empieces cuando puedas. Como miembro, Intercambio es flexible en cuanto a tu horario. Si una semana no puedes pero quieres programar dos sesiones para la siguiente semana, está perfecto. Para que funcione para ti, tiene que funcionar según tu horario, así que hemos diseñado el programa para que sea flexible.
– Yes it is absolutely fine to start when you can. As a member, it is flexible around your schedule. If you have to miss a week, but want to schedule two sessions the next week, that is fine. In order for it to work for you it has to work with your schedule, it is flexible from our end.
Sí, claro. Aquí están los pasos a seguir. Yes, there is! Here are the steps:
– Ve a tu perfil y haz clic en el icono de la rueda dentada y selecciona “My Conversational Account”. Go to your profile and click the gear icon and select “My Conversational Account”.
– Selecciona “Notifications” y elige cuáles notificaciones quieres recibir en tu email. Select “Notifications” and choose which email notifications you want to receive.
– Asegúrate de marcar la casilla de verificación para que recibas mensajes privados. Esto te permitirá conectarte con tus compañeros de conversación. Make sure you mark the check-box to receive private messages. This will allow you to connect with conversational partners.
– Lo sentimos. Primero, chequea por favor tu bandeja de spam y mira si recibiste mensajes de
[email protected] O [email protected]
– Mueve esos emails a tu bandeja de entrada
– Si no puedes encontrar nuestros emails en tu bandeja de spam, por favor envíale un email directamente a [email protected]
– I’m sorry. First, please check your Spam / Junk folder and look for messages from either [email protected] OR [email protected]
– Move these emails to your inbox
– If you cannot find the emails in your spam / junk folders. Please email Leslie Foster directly at [email protected]
I have a Whatsapp number because I am in another group on Whatsapp. What do I need to do to join the Intercambio group? Nothing that the Whatsapp web tells me to do seems to work.
No puedo encontrar la última lección de IIntercsmbioPlus
Hola Carol, puedes ver el curso aquí: https://commongroundinternational.com/courses/intercambio-plus/
Hello! I was wondering if there is a central location where we have access to the power points that are used? I was wanting to review some of them but don’t want to have to go through the recording. Thanks in advance!
Jess
Hola Jess! Great question. Unfortunately, we don’t have the Keynotes posted right now, but that is a great idea! What lessons do you want to review? Let me see what I can send you. Gracias
Sorry I am just now seeing this. There’s no specific one at the moment. However, I am currently going through the beginner grammar index material and am looking for the handout to download on the “stem changing verbs”. I have not been able to locate that. Is there a way for me to find that on the website? Thanks in advance!
Hola Jessica! 👋🏼 Here is the list for the “Stem Changing Verbs” ready for download.
https://commongroundinternational.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/List-Present-Stem-Changing-Verbs.pdf
Hola! I think I may have missed this somewhere…is there a recommended structure for how we balance Spanish/English in the conversations? I see the conversation guides with the questions/activities in both languages, but I’m wondering if there’s a recommended sequence (ie, half hour in all Spanish, then half hour in English…switch off 10 minutes each language back and forth, etc). Is this up to us to decide with our partner? Gracias!!
Hola, Emily. Good question! 🙂 What we recommend is spending half of the time talking in one language and then the other half talking in the other, that way you will avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
I, for example, always start talking in Spanish with my partner and after 30 minutes, we switch to an only English language conversation.
Of course, this is something you could decide with your partner and it will depend on your own English/Spanish language level.
Hope this helps!
¡Hola! Leslie & Rory, I have trouble finding where to see private messages, or messages posted to “my wall” on the website. I have three conversational partners in three different time zones and would like to refer back to past email messages to double-check our planned meeting times. How can I get back to those messages?
Hola Gloria- muy buena pregunta…First go to your profile. To see private messages and your history of previous conversations you will click on the message icon (looks like a letter). To see message you have posted on the wall, you will go to my comments icon also in your profile. Both of these icons will be just under your picture. Gracias!
I’m learning something every day, but not fast enough. I finally got Skype, and now I want to get What’s App. I see there are many versions of What’s App available. Which one do I need?
Also, I have been trying to do everything on my iPad, but I see the demos are on a computer. Would it be easier if I use a computer instead of the tablet?
I realized I am not at all good at finding my way around this website and figuring out how to connect. I get an email when someone posts but when I click on the link in the email it takes me to the general board page, not the actual message so I can never find the actual message the email is referring too. In all the emails I got, I missed one that was a private message I guess as I didn’t see it until I logged in to my account here.
Another thing is I realize my verbal Spanish is horrible and I wanted to change my level to a lower level but can’t seem to figure out how to edit my profile. Thank you for your time.
Karen Munsell
Hola Karen! Sorry I’m just now getting back to you:( I just sent you a test message. Can you respond to that if you get it? I can also help you change your level. Message me with the change you want. Gracias!
I just got a Skype account, and realized I don’t know how to use it, only how to answer when someone else calls me. Two questions: what is my “Skype name” that the profile asks for? How do I initiate a call to another participant?
Great questions Lois :). You can find your skype username by clicking on your initials. See this screenshot.
In order to initiate a call to another participant, you have to search on their skype name and once you’ve found them, you can click on video call or audio call. See screenshot…
I have left messages on the board with questions and I have made sure that my notifications check boxes are all checked but I have yet to receive any notifications other than direct emails from Intercambio. I can see that there have been many posts on the board so not sure why I am not getting them?
HOla Karen: Please try these steps to get group messages:
QUICK FIX to email notifications…
1. Go to your profile
2. Click on the gear icon
3. Choose “My Conversational Account” from the dropdown menu
4. Click on the Email icon
5. Check the two group boxes
6. Click the button “update notifications”
Let me know if this works!
If I use the time zone calculator, I have to know which city the other person is in. So that’s the first thing I have to ask. Is that right? The profile usually just has the country. Also, when someone says ‘central time’, does that mean ‘central time, North America’? Is Mexico in North America or Central America?
Great questions Aliana. Time zones are tricky no doubt. Mexico does have 3 time zones, which is unusual for Latin American countries. For most countries, you just need to know the country. For MX however, yes you would want to know the city so that you can find the closest city in the calculator. FYI – every little city is not listed… just like every city in the USA isn’t listed in the calculator. So, you may want to be looking at a google map at the same time. Pacific, Mountain, Central, & Eastern are US terms that don’t apply in Latin America. PLUS – most Latin American countries don’t change times throughout the year… so you’ll keep that in mind when we “fall back”. Hope that helps!
I currently don’t have either Skype or What’s App. Is one better for use with a Mac laptop or tablet? When I looked at What’s App, I saw several different versions. Which one would I need?
Hola amiga! Either ones works just great! Go for the most recent FREE version. You can download it on your phone or computer. They both work great on mac laptop or tablet and phone. https://www.whatsapp.com/
Am I going to have only 1 partner all the time or different ones?
Every week how often and how long will be able to communicate?
Hola Bhagwant! You can choose to have just 1 partner or there might be several good fits. There are advantages to both. A per your question about how often and how long- that again is up to your schedule and your flexibility. We recommend at least one time per week for 1 hour. But you are welcome to schedule more frequently and for longer periods of time.
I’m having trouble setting up my profile. I got started but then wasn’t able to finish. Can I respond to invitations to tal even though I’m not finished with that process?
Good morning Lois, yes you should be able to
Good morning Lois, yes you should be able to. You may also try logging out, clearing your browser cache, and then logging back in to see if that gives you access again. Thanks for your patience with the system :).
Profile Pic sent!
Hola Leslie, me refería a las reuniones con los otros miembros, lo siento, me expresé mal. Gracias otra vez
Hola Rory, me gustaría saber el tiempo de duración de la reunión, por favor. Gracias mil
Hola Jeanina. La reunión empieza a las 8pm ET o 6pm Costa Rica, 7pm Colombia, 9pm Argentina. Va a durar 1 hora.
HELP! I think i signed up with rose40@juno as my email address. But I forgot to write down my chosen password. I need it to connect with Zoom.
Thank You,
Rosellen
Hola Rosellen! No, you will not need your password for the Zoom meeting, just the link to join. Do you need help resetting your password to get into your account?
I tried uploading a picture for my profile but it wouldn’t accept any photos that I tried. I wasn’t able to continue to get signed up without my photo.
Hey Kathleen, email me the pictures and I’ll see if I can do it on my end: [email protected]
Hi. Can you explain about accounting for different time zones when finding a partner? Thanks!
Hi, yes Suzannah. Just yesterday I put up a time zone calculator in the sidebar. So figure out where your partner is located & use the calculator. It’s at the bottom of the sidebar quick links.
As an English speaker, do I request another English Speaker, who is learning Spanish OR find a Spanish speaker to practice with OR either?! Thank you.
Buenos días Jane! Either / or – both / and. Whichever you prefer. El mundo es tu ostra 🙂