frequently asked questions
If you have specific questions that are not listed here, please visit the Help Forum.
What is Bilingual Chat?
Bilingual Chat is a social network that connects people from around the world who are learning foreign languages. We believe that the best way to become fluent in a language is to practice with native speakers. Bilingual Chat allows you to have real-life conversations with friends who speak the language you are studying.
How do I sign up?
Click “register” on the home page and you can set up your account and create your profile.
Is it free to join?
Yes. Becoming a member of Bilingual Chat is completely free at this time.
Do I have to speak two languages fluently in order to join Bilingual Chat?
No. There are no requirements to join the site. You simply need a desire to learn a language or to help someone else learn your mother tongue.
What is the best way to use the site?
To take full advantage of the resources on Bilingual Chat, we recommend that you have bilingual conversations every day to improve your foreign language proficiency. Even if you are nearly fluent in a second language, if you don’t utilize your skills there is a good chance you will forget what you’ve learned. You should ideally use a combination of oral and written communication (ie practice listening and speaking in our video chat rooms and reading/writing in our text chat rooms or via email correspondence). And remember - to be fair to your partner, make sure part of your conversations are in your native language. You are here to learn but also to help others learn in exchange for their help.
What should I talk about with my language partners?
You can talk about anything you want! Ask them about their country and their culture and share some interesting information about your own. Talk about interests, hobbies, education, work, family, or anything that interests you both. You can also ask each other questions about your languages (like how to say something or to explain grammar rules you don’t understand).
What should I write about in my blog?
Write about anything that you are passionate about – your previous travel experiences, your home country, foreign culture, sports, music, literature, television and entertainment, food, current events, politics, art, relationships, family, etc. You can write in a foreign language to help practice your written skills, or you can write in your native language to help those who want to practice reading in English.
How do I enter chat rooms?
Click on "groups" at the top right of the homepage and join a specific language or interest group. Once you've joined, you can click on "chat", which will bring you to a live chat room.
How do I send an instant message?
Click on another member's profile and hit the button that says "chat."
How do I start a video chat?
Click on another member's profile and hit the button that says "video chat."
How do I use the keyboard?
The keyboard is for typing special characters. If you don't need it, you can close it by clicking on the down arrow. To change the language of the keyboard, click the arrows to the left and right.
What do I do if I receive spam messages from another member?
To report misconduct, go to the member in question's profile and click "flag user." We will investigate immediately and remove any member who is abusing the site.
