Speaking with Japanese people on the internet

[leonc12]

Hi. I'm studying Japanese Unit 3 and 4 this year and I need help with my speaking.
So I was wondering if someone could please recommend me something like a Japanese Omegle or Chatroulette type thing where you can talk to Japanese people on the Internet.
If there is no such thing as a site that's like a Japanese Omegle or Chatroulette, then could you please recommend me some Japanese games (Preferably PC) that allow you to voice chat with other users. Thanks 

[Deshouka]

Hi, I think you can use Lang-8, which is a website where natives can correct your Japanese and in return, you correct their English.
From there you can ask random people if they would like to Skype with you.

[leonc12]

Hi, I think you can use Lang-8, which is a website where natives can correct your Japanese and in return, you correct their English.
From there you can ask random people if they would like to Skype with you.

Thanks. That'll help me out a lot! Now for some Japanese games that allow voice chat. hmmm...

[sarangiya]

Thanks. That'll help me out a lot! Now for some Japanese games that allow voice chat. hmmm...

Lang-8 is also a definite recommendation from me.
Japanese games are not.
You will not - mark my words, will not -- learn any vocab or grammar that will be remotely useful for VCE. For overall Japanese study, absolutely; but for VCE, no way.
Why?
Because they're not having conversations. They won't be speaking eloquently to each other and using words and grammar that make sense to English speakers.
みな、こんー　今北産業？サボちゃって入れたんだぜー　gdgdgd　ちくしぇー！！先生にばれちゃったで！悪いな、おちるぞ；；乙ー
Unless you can fully understand that and plan to use it in your Detailed Study, that's the kind of talk you should be expecting.
But in any other case, I would fully recommend it. 

I would recommend other services for foreigners like HelloTalk (app) or Livemocha etc.
Japan-guide is good too.

If you have spare time and want to play games, by all means try it out... but don't view it as study :\

[leonc12]

Lang-8 is also a definite recommendation from me.
Japanese games are not.
You will not - mark my words, will not -- learn any vocab or grammar that will be remotely useful for VCE. For overall Japanese study, absolutely; but for VCE, no way.
Why?
Because they're not having conversations. They won't be speaking eloquently to each other and using words and grammar that make sense to English speakers.
みな、こんー　今北産業？サボちゃって入れたんだぜー　gdgdgd　ちくしぇー！！先生にばれちゃったで！悪いな、おちるぞ；；乙ー
Unless you can fully understand that and plan to use it in your Detailed Study, that's the kind of talk you should be expecting.
But in any other case, I would fully recommend it. 

I would recommend other services for foreigners like HelloTalk (app) or Livemocha etc.
Japan-guide is good too.

If you have spare time and want to play games, by all means try it out... but don't view it as study :\

Thank you! Yeah, the Japanese video game thing was a last resort type thing, since I'm guessing there aren't many Japanese Omegle type website out there that allow you to talk with random Japanese people over the internet. I'll definitely try out HelloTalk and Livemocha. Thanks again!

[Fyrefly]

みな、こんー　今北産業？サボちゃって入れたんだぜー　gdgdgd　ちくしぇー！！先生にばれちゃったで！悪いな、おちるぞ；；乙ー

This is hilarious   

[sarangiya]

This is hilarious   

Weird little story isn't it hahahahah 

[jibba]

Use japan guide friends/penfriend!

Try find someone your age and good luck! 

[jibba]

This is hilarious   

Hahhaha, (y)

[leonc12]

Use japan guide friends/penfriend!

Try find someone your age and good luck!

Thanks for the help

[atomsk]

I've been reffed this but haven't had the chance to try it out yet : http://www.language-exchanges.org/
It seems like you could find a native Japanese person who would also be learning English as a Skype oral/convo practise partner!

[mrkebiny]

thanks everyone so far, these links are great.

just a quick question to anyone who is using/used these online conversations with native speakers; how effective are they at boosting your oral ability? was it more or less the same as practicing with your teacher, were there any differences e.t.c.

thanks again!

[jibba]

I started practicing Japanese with an online language partner post VCE and it definitely boosted my speaking skills a lot. However, my language partner didn't want to learn english, they could speak only very basic English, so I would only speak in Japanese (worked well for me!).

I would say it would be very different to practicing with your teacher. You would speak in casual form if they were your peer (Japanese people would find it awkward if you constantly spoke polite form with them despite being the same age or older).
I would recommend starting out with just chatting through the web first, just to see how well you go with communicating with them first. Then if you feel confident, you should definitely skype them!
Some people might only want to talk with you in English, so if you can find someone (might be a little mean and a tad selfish) who really can't speak English, it works better for your personal learning!

Good luck and beware of weirdos