GIVE ANSWERS - English

100% GOOD (6 votes)vastattuKieli kysymys
Share your own method for a language exchange

Ok, you've found a nice language exchange friend to practice your language skills with. But how do you organize your language learning session?

How much time? Do you share time between the learning language and the teaching language ? What exactely is your own method of doing a language exchange?

Your contributions will help a lot the polyglot members, I'm sure wink

Vincent, webmaster


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GIVE ANSWERS

Doval profile picture DovalJune 2019

Thank you for the opportunity to supplement my response to your recent question about language learning methods, and to state publicly what I often say privately to people I meet here.

While for some people, language exchange in the form of shared formal or semi-formal lessons may be perfectly fine, to me, "language exchange" should not be an exchange of language lessons, but rather a natural exchange of ideas. Some people want an arrangement where they speak in the target language and their exchange partner speaks in their language, i.e., A speaks in B's language and B speaks in A's language, with each offering corrections to the other. I think this is counterintuitive. A key element of language acquisition is the ability to learn from the way native speakers express themselves. This method denies the learner that opportunity.

Another popular method is to divide up conversations, taking turns between languages: for example, half hour in language A, half hour in language B. This is almost as distasteful to me. People just don't communicate like this naturally, and things that are unnatural are far more likely to be abandoned.

By far, the most common sin committed in the world of language exchange, however, is the practice of domineering. Whichever exchange partner has a better command of the other's language will abandon all efforts to speak in his native language. He will speak only in the target language, and maybe on occasion offer a correction to the other when she attempts to speak to him in his language. This, in my opinion, is rude. And way, way too common! As long as I know someone is trying to learn my language, no matter what their level of knowledge of my language, I will ALWAYS make an effort to speak in my language. As long as I'm seeking to learn something about their language, I absolutely expect them to do the same. If they don't, they shouldn't expect to hear from me much. (Special note to Scandanavians: Yes, some people really DO want to learn your language! We are all proud of how well you speak English, but we also want to be able to speak to you in your language.)

In sum, my preference is for natural conversations about real topics, where the dialogue flows naturally back and forth between each speaker's language, based on each person's level of comprehension. Those who know little of the other's language should make some effort to use the target language at least on occasion. And when speaking in their native language, they should include some terms that the other person might not know. And for heaven's sake, before asking what "road" means, look it up! The internet is full of all sorts of free dictionaries. Don't overuse Google Translate either. Try to think as much as possible for yourself. In this way, your understanding of vocabulary and grammar will grow much faster.

  • Tace profile picture TaceJune 2019
    This comment is spot on. One point I hope people really pay attention to is where you said, "A key element of language acquisition is the ability to learn from the way native speakers express themselves. This method denies the learner that opportunity."

    My favorite example is picking out an error in how someone phrases a thought. Chances are, their incorrect translation into your language is a key to how the speaker would say it correctly in their own language, so yes, you can learn a lot by listening.
Tace profile picture TaceJune 2019
When I am stronger in the language I'm learning, I will try to construct the sentences myself, but for now I translate documents in Google translate and ask a native to verify the translation. In return, I will proof-read my friend's text. Having said that, let me make two points.

First, I will do pretty much whatever my friend wants. We can talk if they want in whichever language. That's just fine with me. If I'm helping, I have to help their way.

Second, as for the documents I work with, I translate with Google, have my friend make corrections, and then I use that as my personal study material, so I do it my way for a reason. It is still a give and take, and we each learn how we need.