INTERNET AUDIO COMMUNICATION FOR SECOND LANGUAGE
LEARNING: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF SIX PROGRAMS

Three different kinds of communicative environments are offered by SCMAC programs:
(a) instant messaging,
(b) conferences,
(c) chat groups

A conference is a temporary gathering of three or more individuals, typically fewer than 10. A chat room, also called a "chat group" or just "group," is typically a more permanent gathering of up to
50 individuals.
AOL Instant Messenger provides text chat in both instant message (one-to-one) and conference environments. File transfer is also provided. AOL Instant Messenger currently has no video capability and while it does offer audio communication, its audio capabilities are limited.
Yahoo Messenger can be used in three different environments: Instant Message, Conference, and Chat Room. Text chat, audio, and video work similarly in all environments.
MSN Messenger has excellent audio capability, as it is capable of high-quality, full-duplex voice communication with short latencies. Talking with another MSN Messenger user is much like talking on the telephone, the only differences being more variable audio quality and a slight delay between the time one speaks and the time one's voice is heard by the other party.
PalTalk offers instant messaging, conferences, and chat rooms and is capable of multiparty half-duplex audio and still-frame video with up to three other users.
iVisit provides both user-created rooms and pre-established rooms, including "Help Desks" staffed by helpful and knowledgeable volunteers.