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Link: http://www.italki.com/partners/
How to Have a Good Language Exchange
Overview
In a language exchange, you can meet online or face-to-face; if online, you can do text or voice communication. You and your language partner should be trying to learn the other's language. For example, you speak English and are learning German, your partner speaks German and is learning English. Half the time, you will be speaking in the language you're practicing, and half the time in your own language - to give your exchange partner a chance to practice too. Its best to split the time about 50-50 so you each get equal time to practice.
Language exchange is for practicing what you already know in the language and will help your listening comprehension, pronunciation and vocabulary. Don't worry about your grammar--it will improve on its own with practice.
Judge Your Level before the Language Exchange
- To practice using voice chat, you need to be at least at an intermediate level. You are at an intermediate level if you:
-have mastered the basics of the language, which include basic vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation
-can carry on a simple conversation - even if your sentences are not always grammatically correct, and even if you sometimes don't catch a word or a phrase
-can get the gist of what is being said in everyday conversations with or by native speakers
-understand 40 to 70 % of what native speakers of the language say when they speak slowly.
- If you're a beginner, you should start with penpals and text chat. Penpals are for everyone because you can take your time writing email.
- If your level is above intermediate, you're perfect for voice chat!
During the Language Exchange
- Take charge of your own learning when speaking in your second language.
- Be sensitive to your partners' needs when speaking in your own language.
- Don't correct grammar all the time - strive for communication.
- Be considerate of others.
1. Take Charge Of Your Own Learning (when speaking in your second language)
- Ask for explanations immediately when something is not clear - it's your responsibility to say so.
- Feel free to ask your partner to repeat, explain or translate when you don't understand something - this is the whole reason behind this language exchange: for you to be able to follow the conversation and participate!
- Ask your partner to slow down if he/she speaks too fast.
- Make an effort to speak, even if you're shy.
2. Be Sensitive to Your Partners' Needs (when speaking in your language)
- When speaking in your own language, please keep in mind that you're doing this so your partner can practice - encourage them to participate, and make sure they can follow the conversation.
- Explain, repeat, write down or translate when necessary, and slow down if your partner asks you to.
- If someone says a word that you don't understand (because of poor pronunciation, for example), just ask them to write it in the text box, then say it for them. Pronunciation is important!
- Encourage those who are too shy to speak.
- Don't correct grammar all the time.
3. Giving Corrections
- Strive for communication, not correction. Our goal is to communicate and be understood.
- Don't correct grammar all the time, and especially do not interrupt someone in the middle of a sentence to correct him or her - too much correction interferes with the conversation and can frustrate speakers. Do however clear up errors that interfere with understanding.
- If someone insists on being corrected, ask him or her what he or she wants you to focus on: verbs, prepositions, pronunciation, gender, etc.
- The best way to correct is to just repeat the word or phrase the way you would say it, even if it is not proper language. No need to explain anything unless the person asks.
4. Be Considerate
- Speak loudly and clearly - think of when you give an address over the phone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak - don't monopolize the conversation.
- Develop a listening attitude.
- Allow others their point of view - you can comment, but don't judge.
- Respect your partner's time and culture
Practice Regularly, and Have Fun!
- Practice regularly. It's like physical exercise: a little here and there is fun, but not very effective. You need regular, quality practice to see results. It's also easier to organize if you practice regularly with the same partners.
- Relax and enjoy!
