Preguntas y Respuestas

Por medio de este juego de preguntas y respuestas te explicamos la mecánica de nuestros talktimes. Si te quedan dudas envíanos un email a info@talktime.com.ar o llamanos al 15 3215 1555

¿Qué es un talktime?

Es un debate abierto e informal en un idioma extranjero cuyo objetivo es perfeccionarse en técnicas de comunicación oral dentro de un marco de mutuo respeto. Los talktimers generalmente se juntan en los cafés y restaurants barriales para debatir un tema propuesto y votado por el grupo.

¿Qué nivel de inglés, francés, alemán, italiano o portugués debo tener?

Nivel de conversación apto para participar en el debate. Si bien hay talktimes en varios idiomas, la mayoría son en inglés.

¿Qué necesito saber sobre la forma de debatir?

Hay que venir con una mente abierta e inquisidora y estar dispuesto a evaluar, defender o desafiar los distintos puntos de vista expuestos durante el debate. Los participantes se comprometen a cumplir con nuestras reglas (pedimos leerlas antes de asistir), a ser respetuoso con los demás y a mantener altos estándares éticos durante el talktime.

¿Debo conocer a fondo el tema que se debate?

No. Damos mayor importancia a la forma en que se formulan y presentan las ideas que a los contenidos propiamente dichos. Alentamos la diversidad de puntos de vista para fogonear el debate y generar animados discursos a partir de un amplio espectro de argumentos. Por más que no tengan una posición tomada respecto del tema en cuestión, los talktimers tienen la facultad de explorarlo con pseudo-argumentos y actuar de este modo como abogados del diablo con el fin de estimular el intercambio de opiniones.

¿Me pedirán que hable? ¿Y si voy sólo para escuchar?

No presionamos a nadie para que intervenga. La participación es opcional. Gracias al clima distendido que reina en los talktimes, aún quienes vienen por primera vez se largan fácilmente a hablar. Recalcamos que conforme a nuestras reglas no se permiten ni el diálogo cruzado ni el comentario al margen.

¿Qué papel desempeña el moderador?

El moderador gatilla el tema, ordena los turnos para hablar (hay que pedirle permiso levantando la mano), guía el debate para que no pierda vuelo y vela por el cumplimiento de las reglas. Durante el transcurso del talktime los moderadores intervienen para ilustrar puntos de vista, sugerir enfoques alternativos o limitar el tiempo de palabra de los talktimers. Sin embargo, excluimos el paradigma profesor-alumno y queda claro que ni el moderador ni ninguno de los presentes pueden posicionarse como tales.

¿Son los talktimes espacios para adoctrinar gente?

De ninguna manera. Debatimos una gran variedad de tópicos (incluyendo de orden político) y nos sentimos libres al expresar opiniones. Tratamos de sostenerlas con argumentos y aceptamos que otros nos desafíen con contra-argumentos. Nos limitamos a atacar ideas y jamás atacamos a las personas que las formulan. Nuestras reglas prohiben todo tipo de preguntas o revelaciones personales. De este modo el individuo queda siempre protegido.

¿Cuál es la finalidad de un talktime?

Aspiramos a conseguir una eficaz presentación oral sin apuntar a imponer nuestros argumentos sobre los demás. Nadie se involucra emocionalmente. Todo discurso se dirige a la audiencia evitando proyecciones hacia personas en particular. Nuestro método activa la imaginación y el pensamiento crítico de los participantes para incitarlos a formular con claridad una idea en otro idioma en torno a un tema.

¿Cuál es el mayor beneficio para los talktimers?

Al sentirse seguros de sí mismos se convierten en buenos oradores capaces de hacer todo tipo de presentaciones en idiomas extranjeros. Cuando actúan como moderadores cultivan a su vez capacidades de liderazgo.

¿Hay que inscribirse antes de concurrir?

No, y tampoco avisar a nadie. La entrada y salida es libre.

¿OK, entonces qué tengo que hacer para participar?

Si querés participar ya sea activamente o simplemente como oyente acercate a uno de los cafés conforme a las indicaciones que figuran en la lista (lugar, fecha, hora, como llegar)

¿Y cuánto hay que pagar?

Nada. Créase o no los talktimes son gratuitos. Quienes consuman bebidas las abonarán sin ningún recargo, no imponiéndose consumición mínima.

¿Cada cuánto hay talktimes?

Hay unos 350 talktimes por mes. Los datos figuran en nuestro calendario.

¿Desde cuándo existe esta moda de reunirse en los cafés?

Los debates públicos empezaron hace miles de años. Más recientemente a principios de los 90 nacieron en Francia los cafés filosóficos. A principios del 2001 llegó la iniciativa a la Argentina con el nombre de talktime (marca registrada) aunque con la originalidad que nosotros -contrariamente a lo que sucede en el resto del mundo- debatimos en un idioma ajeno.

¿Cuáles son los planes para el futuro?

Extender al infinito la red de cafés anfitriones para que más gente pueda beneficiarse gratuitamente de la propuesta de TalkTime.

FAQs about TalkTime
(FAQs = frequent asked questions)

The following are frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you want to know, please contact us for a more specific response: info@talktime.com.ar or call 15 15 3215 1555

What is a talktime ?

A talktime is an open and informal debate in a foreign language with the goal of improving communication skills within a respectful and supportive environment. Talktimes generally meet in neighborhood cafés or restaurants to discuss a topic that has been proposed and selected by the group.

How much English, French, German, Italian or Portuguese do I need to know?

Intermediate conversational levels are advisable in order to participate in the debate. Most talktimes are in English, although some are held in other foreign languages.

What do I need to know about debating?

It is best if you come to a talktime with an inquisitive mind, open to new ideas; able to evaluate those ideas, challenge, support them or present you own. Participants must adhere to TalkTime rules (please read prior to attending your first talktime), treat all talktimers with respect and courtesy, and conduct themselves with high ethical standards.

Do I need to know about the specific topic being discussed?

No. The ability to make an effective presentation is more important than the content of the issue. Voicing varied opinions is encouraged to provoke a broad spectrum of ideas and create a lively discourse. You may also "test" views that you are not sure about but are simply exploring. By playing "devil´s advocate", talktimers may even support opinions that are not necessarily their own and thus stimulate the discussion.

Will I be required to speak? What if I just want to sit and listen?

Participation is purely optional; there is no pressure to speak. Most find the atmosphere very supportive, and first-timers often make an attempt to speak. According to the rules, however, no side conversations or unsolicited comments are permitted.

What is the role of the moderator during a talktime?

The moderator introduces the topic, orchestrates those who wish to speak (those who want to speak raise their hands), and guides the debate in order to keep the discourse interesting, relevant and within the TalkTime rules. Moderators may intervene to clarify points, suggest alternative avenues for discussion, ask presenters to speak more clearly, or stop those who talk inappropriately. TalkTime, however, does not conform to the student-teacher paradigm. No one, including the moderator, is meant to be seen as an instructor.

Are the meetings actually an excuse to indoctrinate people?

Not at all. Debating a variety of views is encouraged, with talktimers free to share their beliefs, political or otherwise. In doing so, however, speakers are expected to provide support for their points of view, anticipating the possibility of having them countered. TalkTime rules protect the individual, however, so while an idea may be challenged, the speaker may never be attacked. TalkTime rules also forbid personal disclosures or questions.

What is the goal of a talktime?

Our focus is to encourage making an effective presentation while speaking a foreign language, rather than "winning" an argument. Speakers address their presentations to the group and not to any one individual, refraining from becoming emotionally involved. Our method bears fruit by activating participants' imagination, encouraging people to think critically and express themselves clearly in a non-native tongue.

What is the main benefit for talktimers?

Confidence gained, they become masterful speakers able to successfully handle different types of presentations in a non-native language. Those who become moderators also improve their leadership skills.

What´s the meaning of the two-way arrows in TalkTime´s logo?

The arrows pointing in two different directions symbolize an activity that draws upon diversity and internationalization that stimulate new perspectives, interaction, challenge and networking thinking beyond the barriers of culture, age, background and creed. Diversity matters in TalkTime because ideas move and contend and through contending we support and generate creative thinking. In daily life some people are too neutered by fear of social prejudice and political mercenaries to make their ideas compelling. Our arrows symbolize unlimited growth through unlocking our true potential. Thus many talktimers see our encounters as outlets for giving vent to pent-up energies.

What´s the meaning of the binding Ts in TalkTime´s logo?

The Ts that frame the logo symbolize a cohesive unity in terms of communication during a talktime thanks to a common language and thanks to our guidelines and rules. The Ts and the arrows work together and ideally reflect our dynamics: bonding and bridging.

Is there any political or religious key backer behind TalkTime?

No, our methodology could not support any political or religious backer unbruised.

Do I have to notify anyone in advance if I'm planning to come?

No notification. Furthermore, you can arrive or leave whenever you want.

Okay, so how do I join TalkTime?

If you'd like to come to a talktime - to participate or simply see what is going on -- just show up! Our list of talktimes indicates the day, date, time, address plus how to get there.

Then how much do I have to pay to attend each meeting?

There is no charge. You only pay for any beverage or food you order. There is no minimum consumption; there is no surcharge. TalkTime is really free, believe it or not!

How often do talktimers meet?

There are almost 350 talktimes per month. Check our calendar for all information.

How long has this kind of "get together" been in existence?

Open debates and discourses can be traced back thousands of years. More recently, France was the epicenter of these "cafés" in the 1990s although not in foreign languages. The newest trend
of debating in non-native languages was introduced in Argentina in March 2001 through the brand name talktime ®.

What are TalkTime´s plans for the future?

Our core mission is to continually expand our network of host cafés to provide an ever-increasing number of people with the opportunity to benefit free of charge from our program that promotes bilingualism and multilingualism in the Americas.