Getting the Most out of Language Exchanges

I love language exchanges.

Without a doubt, they are my favored language learning tool and I use them as a core part of both learning new words and in maintaining “dormant” vocabulary in my head. The list of reasons why language exchanges are awesome is almost too long to count, but here are a few reasons why they’re so good, and why you should join the genius crowd and start using them, if you aren’t already:

1. They’re flexible. You can do a language exchange from the comfort of your home via skype, anytime that you want. And you get to decide the conversation topics, meaning the experience is customized to your needs.
2. They’re great for pronunciation practice. Not only will you get to hear a native speaker speak certain words, you’ll also be able to repeat those words and get their critiques on your pronunciation. Double win.
3. They build your confidence. You’re probably thinking “Yeah, right! Conversations with native speakers actually decrease my confidence!” If you think about it, though, you are getting a feel for what it actually looks like to have a conversation. No amount of flash cards or learning software can simulate that feeling; language exchanges give you a perfect idea of exactly what to expect from a real conversation, meaning that no matter how hard they can be, they leave you better prepared for real life than any other tool.
4. They’re free. Yeah, there’s definitely some high-quality language learning material out there that you can buy. But no price beats free. Seriously, good luck finding a 100% discount elsewhere.

I’m Sold! Where Do I Sign up?

There are several websites out there where you can find conversation buddies. Two of the sites with the largest, most active  user base are LiveMocha and italki.

You can’t go wrong with either site, though I personally have much more experience with italki. Take my advice. Head over to italki and make a profile now. It’ll be one of the best things to happen to your language learning routine in a long time. And nope, I’m not getting paid for that recommendation – it’s really just a great website.

Once you’ve made a profile, you can search for other users based upon the languages they speak and the languages you’re learning.

This is part of what makes italki great: when I was in the early stages of learning Portuguese, I needed someone who could help me distinguish between Spanish and Portuguese, down to the level of sentence structure/syntax differences. So I found a few Brazilians who also spoke Spanish at a high level who were basically able to say “Nope, the way you’re saying that is too ‘Spanish’”

Cool… I’m Signed up… Now What?

You’re convinced that a language exchange is going to amp up your language learning. You’ve gone to italki or LiveMocha and have made an account. You’ve contacted a few people and maybe you’ve already scheduled a time to meet (or skype) your new language buddy.

But you have no idea what to actually talk about when the time comes to make the call. You start to freak out and you’re super nervous as you wait for the conversation to start.

I’ve got news that should make this an easier experience for you: the person on the other end of the line is also probably just as (or more) nervous than you are. Don’t sweat it. Do a bit of preparation in advance and you’ll be fine.

And while you don’t need to be nervous, you should do a bit of advance planning to get the most out of the conversation. I’ve definitely had a few language exchanges that involved some long, awkward silences when both people didn’t know what to say or what to talk about next. So what are some strategies you can take to make sure that your language exchange is the best that it can be?

1. Script out a conversation you are likely to have in your day-to-day. This can take literally 5 minutes. Simply think of a situation from your day and jot it down in words. Then, jot it down
2. Use a shared google doc. This one is a great, great boost to your language exchange. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come across a really useful word or phrase in the course of a conversation, and have even asked the other person to repeat it for me, yet I later forget about those words. How to avoid this? When you come across a word or phrase that you don’t know, then have the other person write it down for you. Even better  – you could even do live, in-document translations using Google docs.
3. Bring a list of topics to discuss or questions to ask. If you’re at the early stages, these can be simple questions like “What is your family like?” or “What is your job?” If you are further along in the process, then you can bring specific topics to discuss to build specific vocabulary.
4. Get creative! In my last language exchange, we did a fake job interview to help me build professional vocabulary. I came with interview questions translated into Spanish and gave the list to my language buddy, who then pretended to be my interviewer. You can do whatever you want with a language exchange, so think outside the box!

The main thing to do is to come with something in mind; you’re going to be having a one-on-one conversation with someone for a period of anywhere from a few minutes to an hour (or more). If you don’t plan in advance, you might be left feeling like it was a waste of your time when there are awkward silences. Don’t do that to yourself – or your language exchange buddy! Keep it fun, and keep it helpful.

With the tips above, you should be all set to have a killer language exchange. Now go, take the leap and have a little adventure!