I live in the western united states and am a beginner. I have noticed that the people who are using the instant messenger feature are very advanced and don't have much patience with beginners. If we could arrange a time to use this feature we could visit (in esperanto of course) but without the pressure of being perfect. Tom.

I don't get the idea behind your post...

What do you mean by "using the instant messenger feature"?

Are you talking about the lernu-Chat or Instant Messaging in general?

4pir2hmi880:I live in the western united states and am a beginner. I have noticed that the people who are using the instant messenger feature are very advanced and don't have much patience with beginners. If we could arrange a time to use this feature we could visit (in esperanto of course) but without the pressure of being perfect. Tom.

And what is wrong with Skype?

hebda999:

4pir2hmi880:I live in the western united states and am a beginner. I have noticed that the people who are using the instant messenger feature are very advanced and don't have much patience with beginners. If we could arrange a time to use this feature we could visit (in esperanto of course) but without the pressure of being perfect. Tom.

And what is wrong with Skype?

Skype also has IM capabilities so it could also work for IM. If you're referring only to the video/audio chat capabilities, some people are uncomfortable or shy, for various reasons, relating to their language skills or not, and would rather chat through text...

I'm interested in hearing about the people without patience for beginners, because I have mostly found that Esperanto speakers are quite patient and helpful with beginners, more so than speakers of other languages. This is because most Esperanto speakers still have vivid memories of what it feels like to be a beginner.

What were the people in the instant messenger doing? Was it correcting the grammar of your messages, or ignoring you in the conversation because it took you too long to respond, or what?

I don't know the exact circumstances but sometimes a little communication can help. For example, some beginners like to be corrected and some don't. It can clear up potential problems if you're up front with your preference.

"Please don't correct my errors, I know I make many errors but I would rather not be interrupted" [Bonvolu ne korekti miajn erarojn; mi scias ke mi faras multajn sed mi preferus ne interrompiĝi]
or
"Please correct my errors, even if you interrupt me, because I want to know where I'm going wrong." [Bonvolu korekti miajn erarojn, eĉ se vi interrompas min, ĉar mi volas scii kie mi eraras]

Fenris_kcf:I don't get the idea behind your post...

What do you mean by "using the instant messenger feature"?

Are you talking about the lernu-Chat or Instant Messaging in general?

Thank you for your response. I know the winter weather has been very cold there. I hope you and your family have been safe and secure.
To answer your question I was talking about the "Instant Messenger/chat box located in the lower right corner of this window.
TUJMESAĜILO
Thanks, Amiko Tom

erinja:I'm interested in hearing about the people without patience for beginners, because I have mostly found that Esperanto speakers are quite patient and helpful with beginners, more so than speakers of other languages. This is because most Esperanto speakers still have vivid memories of what it feels like to be a beginner.

What were the people in the instant messenger doing? Was it correcting the grammar of your messages, or ignoring you in the conversation because it took you too long to respond, or what?

I don't know the exact circumstances but sometimes a little communication can help. For example, some beginners like to be corrected and some don't. It can clear up potential problems if you're up front with your preference.

"Please don't correct my errors, I know I make many errors but I would rather not be interrupted" [Bonvolu ne korekti miajn erarojn; mi scias ke mi faras multajn sed mi preferus ne interrompiĝi]
or
"Please correct my errors, even if you interrupt me, because I want to know where I'm going wrong." [Bonvolu korekti miajn erarojn, eĉ se vi interrompas min, ĉar mi volas scii kie mi eraras]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Yes I too have found most esperanto people to be helpful and kind. I have been corresponding with friends around the world and really enjoy it. The problem with the instant messenger is not the other people who use it. I have found a few very patient people who have helped me. The problem is with me. I feel intiminated by the speed and the pressure of not making mistakes. I do not blame those who are more advanced for getting impatient with me. I only would like to find another in the beginning stages who would like to experiment with this learning tool at a slower more leisurly pace. I will copy your suggestions with regard to asking for help. (I have tried to announce myself as a beginner and ask for patience and after a few initial questions they either dissappear or go on to visit with their friends.) anyway thanks again and bonan tagon! Tom

Hy Tom

4pir2hmi880:I know the winter weather has been very cold there. I hope you and your family have been safe and secure.

Everythings's fine - thx

Regarding your question: Maybe the channel #komencintoj on irc.freenode.net is what you are looking for, though #esperanto (has more users) should also do it. If you don't want to use an IRC-Client, you can still use the Webclient.

Fenris_kcf:#esperanto

##esperanto

4pir2hmi880:The problem is with me. I feel intiminated by the speed and the pressure of not making mistakes.

Instant messengers are fast-moving, that's true.

It might be that instant messaging isn't the best way for you to practice. I often suggest corresponding by private message, or participating in forum discussions, to users who find instant messaging to be too high-pressure. Forums and private messages give you time to compose a response, look up words in a dictionary, etc. without feeling so much time pressure.

It's true that you want to write with as few mistakes as possible. But be forgiving of your errors; don't beat yourself up over it. Relax and do your best, because whatever dumb errors you are making, the person you're talking to has probably made the same dumb errors in the past.