Get the most out of your language exchange (intercambio)
I am living in Spain and there are an abundance of intercambio (language exchange) groups and opportunities. I have participated in a variety of tandem learning sessions and have heard both compliments and complaints from my partners and students. Having a conversation with a native speaker of the language you want to practice is great....and free! But it is only worth your time and effort if you follow a few guidelines.
These are my opinion and experience, please add your own in the comment section below!
1) Be honest. Be equal.
Be honest about your expectations and goals. What do you REALLY want?
Do you want to practice the language? Do you want to help another person? Are you looking to make friends? Are you looking to drink beer and have fun? Are you practicing to pass an exam or interview? Are you trying to make business connections? Do you want to meet on a schedule or just when you have free time?
You can do all of the above....just not with the same language exchange.
If you are looking for a social/casual opportunity, you will do well with a group. You can find lots of these by searching on Facebook or Meetup. If you have one partner, be honest that you want to make friends and build connections in your community. You and your partner should be comfortable introducing each other to your friends.
Do you need to prepare for an exam or job interview? Find a speaking partner through your local school, university, or employment office. Set a specific goal and share that with your partner. Schedule a weekly time to meet so that it becomes part of your study routine. Respect your partner's time. This is not a social activity!
Agree to a time, place, and schedule. Be honest about your level of the foreign language. Be clear about how much time you want to spend in each language. It is better to spend at least 10 minutes in a single language so that you can focus and practice in a more realistic way.
2) This is conversation. If you want a class, you will probably have to pay.
Most likely your language partner will be a native speaker, but not a teacher of the language. Ask questions about pronunciation or word meanings, but don't expect in depth grammar explanations. It is rare that a common speaker will have an awareness that they are using the imperfect subjunctive, let alone its name!
If you are lucky enough to find a teacher or translator who wants to do an exchange, be respectful. If you are meeting for conversation, have a conversation. If you are meeting to "learn" the language, ask what they get paid.
3) Be prepared!
Talking to strangers isn't easy. However, this stranger has agreed to spend an hour with you to do just that....talk! Think of a few topics that you are interested in and look up a few vocabulary words that you may need. You will feel more comfortable with just 5 minutes preparation.
Bring a notebook or have a file in your phone to record new phrases that you learn. Repeat these phrases throughout the conversation and during the following week to help fix them into your mind.
4) Use technology
So you found a language partner. Chat with them via whatsapp or facebook between sessions. It's real communication!
Maybe you can't find someone who fits all the criteria to make a language exchange in your town. There are plenty of websites that help with that! You can chat online. Here are a few you might want to check out:
5) Sign up!
Here are a few popular and recommended language exchange resources in Palma, Mallorca, Spain:
free: You will be connected with a partner after a short interview
free: variety of activities, not just conversation
about 10€: weekend/evening conversation groups guided by a teacher
