Live online learning - any recommendations/experience?

[wrbt]

Be cool to have a service like this that was cheaper but just conversation based instead of actual teachers.

It seem there are so many in here who say they are stuck on intermediate, with listening/speaking skills often mentioned as a primary weakness due to lack of opportunities for conversation practice. I don't think I need to be taught much by a teacher anymore, just give me a Chinese adult who's willing to talk about whatever I want and will take the time to explain unknown vocabulary that comes up to me (can be done in Chinese) and I'd be quite willing to pay hourly for it over skype.

I don't know what the wages are in China but would it be that hard to find people willing to just gab into a headset for $4/hour in their spare time if they need extra income? Someone set up a business that charges the customer $6/hour, pays Chinese speakers $4 of it, and we all win.

[BirdRockster]

I just started learning with Surf Chinese a few weeks ago. So far, the lessons have been pretty structured and have let me reschedule a few times when I needed to do some other things. I'd recommend them as they are fairly cheap and my teachers have been friendly and well prepared.

[stoney]

I used Guavatalk about 2 years ago and it was ok. They were professional.

I think this method has great potential it the teacher is good.

[Areckx]

I would be willing to speak in Japanese for $4/hr over Skype, however I am in no living situation that would allow me to do this from. Would there be a way to get my own office???