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Quick Start Tutorial

Understand and try the features of My Language Exchange Voice Chat.

You can simply read this tutorial or you can also follow along by executing the instructions. Safely and conveniently exploring the features is possible because you can chat with yourself.


Topics

Explore the Features - Chat with Yourself
Activate the Microphone
The Audio Panel - Automatic Speech Recording
Change your Native Language
Caption and Record Speech in your Native Language
Caption and Record Speech in your Target Language
Change the Caption Language
Leave a Voice Message - Auto Speech Recording
Message Menu - Hide, Edit, Translate
Caption Language Quick Links
Manual Modes
Tips for Best Audio Quality
Troubleshooting


Explore the Features - Chat with Yourself

You can safely and conveniently check the features of the system by chatting with yourself. For example, if you use a new device, you will want to hear the quality of the recorded audio. You don't even have to log in as a member.

To chat with yourself, find yourself on the contact list. The contact list is the first tab on the home page.
If you are in a chat, then click the contacts button in the top left corner.
You are always the first on the list.
If you are in the chat page, your contact list looks like this.
  • Click anywhere in your profile except your photo.

    You enter a chat room with yourself.
    If you are logged in as a member, your name and photo will appear in place of "Chatting with Myself".

    Topics list

    Activate the Microphone

    Turn on the microphone for live voice chat.

  • Click the Call icon at the top of the chat messages window.
    If the microphone is enabled in the browser, and you are talking to yourself, the system will turn on the microphone immediately. The audio panel appears:
    But if you are not talking to yourself, your partner will have to accept your call::
    If the panel does not appear, then you need to enable the microphone in your browser.
    If the browser asks you to allow use of the microphone, click Allow.

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    The Audio Panel - Automatic Speech Recording

    When the system is connected to the microphone, you will see the audio panel.
    The elements in the audio panels are as follows.

    Microphone mute button - Green indicates mic is On. Click to mute. Click again to unmute.

    Record and caption controls - The sliding green bar indicates automatic mode: the recording and caption is ready and listening for your speech. Just talk and the system will record and provide captioning to you and your partner.

    Man
    In manual mode, there is no sliding green bar. You need to click the record button to start and end recording.

    End call button. Click to end audio. The audio panel will disappear.


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    Change your Native Language

    By default, the system sets your native language to the language used by your browser. If your browser is not set to your native language, you must change it in the settings.

    Click the gear icon in the top right corner.
    Find the "Translation destination language".
    Click on the currently chosen language and choose the correct native language from the list.

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    Caption and Record Speech in your Native Language

  • Click the Call icon at the top of the chat messages window.
    By default, live caption and recording is set to automatic mode. The green bar in the audio panel should be sliding continuously.

  • Say something in your native language.

    The system automatically records this and adds a speech bubble to your messages window. The bubble should include a play button and the text of what you said.
  • Say something else. The system automatically records this and adds a second speech bubble to your messages window.

    Note, you did not need to press the record button, because recording was automatic. This will allow you to concentrate more on your conversation, something important when speaking in the language you are learning!


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    Caption and Record Speech in your Target Language

    When conversing in your target language, you may occasionally have trouble understanding your partner. Live captioning of your partner's speech along with real-time translation into your native language can help you stay in the conversation.

    Seeing this in action can show you its usefullness during your live language exchange practice.

    Change the Caption Language
    Click on the Settings button (gear icon) in the top right corner.
    Find the Caption language.
    Click on the down arrow to see the list of possible languages.

    Click on the language you are learning (target language) from the list.
    Click OK to dismiss the settings window.

  • Say something in your target language.

    A new bubble appears in your messages window with a play button and the text of your speech in your target language. In addition, there is a translation of your speech into your native language.

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    Leave a Voice Message - Auto Speech Recording

  • Click the voicemail icon at the bottom of the chat window.
    The voicemail panel will appear. If the caption and record is set to automatic, you will see this panel. The green bar is sliding continuously to indicate the system is ready to record.

    Speak and stop at any time. The system records only when you are speaking (unless there is significant background noise). Press the record button again to stop recording.

    If the caption and record is set to manual, you will see this panel. The system starts recording right away and stops when you press the record button again.
    To change the caption and record mode between automatic and manual, click the settings button (gear icon) at the top right of the screen.
    Then find the "Live caption and auto speech recording" setting and click the slider.

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    Message Menu - Hide, Edit, Translate

    Next to each message, there is a More button (three dots icon).
    Click it and a popup menu appears with options for that message.
    Buttons include:
    Hide message. Once hidden, choose Show hidden messages in the settings page to see.
    Edit - Add your own text note. Useful to correct the caption result or correct your partner or explain your message.
    Translates text into your native language
    Report Abuse - Report this message to the webmaster

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    Caption Language Quick Links

    During your language exchange practice, you will not have time to scroll through the long list of available languages each time you switch your language. So the system provides links to the most recent languages used.
    You can switch languages in 2 clicks!
  • 1. Settings button (gear icon)
  • 2. Caption language quick link

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    Manual Modes

    From your settings page, you can turn off live caption and auto speech recording. In this mode, you will have to click on the record button in the audio panel to begin recording and click it again to end recording. This is useful if there is a lot of background noise and the automatic mode is not accurate.

    From your settings page, you can also turn off live translation. When you need to translate a message, you can use the translation button in the pop up menu (3 dots icon) for that message.

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    Tips for Best Audio Quality

  • For best audio, turn off other apps or web pages that use the mic or stream data, like the camera or Zoom or a backup app.
  • Miniimize background noise. Use an external mic and earphones if necessary.
  • If your audio recording begins to be filled with crackling or dropouts, refresh your page.
  • If crackles and dropouts persist, try a different browser, device or Internet connection.
  • Audio quality may vary by browser, device and connection speed. Even if the quality of recordings is not good, the live voice chat quality is usually very good. So please do try it with a partner.

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    Troubleshooting

    Have trouble connecting or with audio quality? See our troubleshooting page.

    Topics list


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    Settings
    Recognize speech in
     
    closed_caption fiber_smart_record
    Live caption and auto speech recording Privacy
    translate
    Live translate
    Translation destination language
     
    Auto play speech synthesis
    Speech synthesis language and voice
     
    view_headline
    Show hidden messages
     
    closed_caption Listening for...

    Your partner has logged in.

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