Questions about language exchange
What is language exchange?
Language exchange, or intercambio is a meeting between two or more people who have a desire to learn a foreign language. Typically it is conducted in person, often in a cafe or bar, but could also be carried out online or the telephone.
What are the benefits ?
- first and foremost - its free! For many, spending money on a school, or private teacher is simply too expensive.
- you can meet new people and learn about their culture. Take advantage of the abundance of people from all over the world in Barcelona. They can provide you with valuable information about countries you may wish to visit one day.
- you can learn colloquial terms you may not learn from a school or from a book.
- satisfaction of helping someone learn your language.
- learning a second language is more important now than ever. In the workplace this is especially true. Even if you only spend one hour a week practising your second language, over the course of six months you would be surprised how much you can learn. This can easily give you an advantage the next time you go for a job interview. Whats more, for many employers speaking another language is a requirement.
Do I need to be an expert in my own language?
No...people who take part in intercambios generally do not expect you to be able to explain grammar in great detail. They are typically interested in conversational skills...so anyone can do it. Also, many people will often to do language exchange in addition to a structured course in a school, or with a qualified teacher.
Tips
- Correspond with someone via email, instant messaging or telephone before meeting them in person. This can help you determine if they have similar interests as you, and also give you an idea of what level they are at. Communicate in both your language as well as their's.
- Try and think of interesting topics of conversation. But keep it simple. Discussing your interests and explaining what life is like in your country is always a good place to start.
- When arranging a place to meet - choose somewhere reasonably quiet. Remember you will both be speaking a second language, so you don't want to make it even more difficult by meeting in a noisy bar !
- Don't forget to either, describe what you look like, or tell your partner which clothes you will be wearing on the day you meet. This ensures that you won't have any problems recognizing each other. Or even better - upload a photo of yourself to your profile
- You may find it is more effective for you to both speak in one language from the beginning. Then, halfway through switch to the other, rather than trying to speak the two languages at the same time.