Who doesn’t fancy being fluent in a language other than their native speech? It makes you seem more knowledgeable and, just overall cooler than everybody else at the table. Not to mention, it improves your academic and career prospects. There are a variety of tools under the traditional method of learning a new language that you can use while pursuing your passion but, the new popular element to learning a new language is getting yourself a language exchange partner.
Many people are still unfamiliar with the concept of a language exchange partner and how they fit into your curriculum of learning a new language. Let this blog be your guide toward understanding what the concept exactly entails, how they aid you in your journey of learning a new tongue and, where you can find yourself one.
What Is A Language Exchange Partner?
Now, what is the easiest way for you to be able to gain command over a language that you are learning? That would be to try to converse in that language with somebody who can hold a conversation with you using the same. Simply put, that person would be your language exchange partner.
Coming to the unique aspect of the concept of a language exchange partner is that your partner is interested in learning your native tongue too. This way, both of you are effectively taking away from the partnership and benefitting from it.
A language taught in the classroom may sound completely different from how their native speakers converse in it. That’s where your partner would help you bridge the gap by crossing over from classroom knowledge to how to apply your newly acquired language skills in a real conversation.
In today’s digital world this partnership is often conducted online but many find that in-person exchanges can help foster a better environment for learning a new language. While in-person, you are better able to get a glimpse of the culture the language stems from and likewise for your language partner. In many cases, this partnership gives way to a friendship and you can find yourself having a lifelong conversation partner for your newly learned language.
This alliance with your partner can help you gain confidence in putting your newly learned language to use and helps you gain a great amount of understanding and practice which helps improve your command of the language in the long run.
Where Can I Find A Language Exchange Partner?
There are a variety of apps and websites which have simplified the process of getting yourself a partner. In actuality, it is quite difficult to land someone whose native language you are looking to learn while they are looking to learn yours. Here is a list of digital help spaces that will help you find yourself a language exchange partner.
- Tandem – Dubbed the dating app but for language exchange, Tandem has been the hottest on the block to help find a language partner. You can browse through a selection of people and shoot them a message and chat for a bit to see if they are your perfect match to help you learn the language of your choice. If you are looking to find a partner on the go, it is the perfect app for you and you can use voice messages and video calls too. The downside to the app is going through all those people before you can find your ideal exchange partner. That might make the process a bit too time-consuming.
- Bilingua – The algorithm for Bilingua works in a bit more of a different fashion as opposed to Tandem. The team at Bilingua recognised the problem at Tandem with people rarely being able to find a decent enough connection after going through throngs of people on the app. Instead, their algorithm paired people based on their similar interests and compatibilities. The best part is that the app is free of cost and is perfect for users looking for a more personalised approach while hunting for their language exchange partner.
- The Mixxer – In a world that has gone completely digital, The Mixxer identified the problem of partners being able to carry out their entire learning process online but face-to-face. Many of the language exchange apps focused on text messaging and typing content which would do little justice to the whole point of having an exchange partner. At The Mixxer, users can opt to take their entire conversation on Skype where they can converse face-to-face thereby doing justice to the entire element.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further