#futurepolyglot

Warning: This post is not about sources used to find a Language Exchange Partner, but rather how to keep one! :) Enjoy!

If you’re anything like me, you may have had bad language exchange experiences or you struggled with keeping a consistent language exchange partner. The solution to this problem is to find a partner that you can, not only, connect with but be friends with, and here is what to look for.

Common Interests! Now this is important when you’re looking for any kind of relationship, whether it be just friends or something more. ;) Common interests are what can stem a relationship and they give you a topic to talk about. Do they like the same books as you? Do they like art? Coffee or tea? You have one thing in common: languages! So, you already have a head start. Learning a new language can be even more fun if you’re learning about things you can relate to and/or like to do.

Age! Don’t get me wrong, it is quite alright to have a Language Exchange partner who is much older or younger, but I’ve found that finding a partner who is closer to your own age is much easier. Together you can complain about work, school or family and your partner may be able to relate to how you’re feeling. People the same age tend to think similarly, despite how much people may deny it. When you’re learning you can exchange methods that helped you and they may help your partner. :)

Flexibility! Finding a good language exchange partner is about being flexible. Most likely your language exchange partner will be in a different time zone and this may call for some planning for your meeting/call times. There must be patience from both sides and some openness to adjusting.

Patience! Learning a new language is hard and anyone who tells you it isn’t is lying to you. It takes a lot of work and you have to be prepared for the mistakes you’re going to make as you’re learning. When practicing with your partner, you must let them take their time and ask as many questions as needed, correcting when necessary (and vice versa).

Encouraging! We all have experienced that time in our language learning where we lose motivation and think about dropping the language completely. A good language exchange partner will encourage you to stick to your goals and keep learning. Plus, everyone needs a little encouragement once in awhile.

Explore, learn and test yourself without leaving your desk! 

  Recently, while researching cities in Europe I started to explore Google Maps or more specifically, Google Earth. Here, you can explore a city and see the beauty and more importantly, the signs. 

1. Traffic signs! Every place that has any sort of vehicle or road has some type of traffic sign. Whether it be the speed limit, animal crosses or stop signs they all present the language of that country in some way. I found that signs showing distance from a city are the most helpful when learning to pronounce a new alphabet or learn cities from your target language’s country. (The picture below is an example of Swiss sign, found on Wiki)

2. Stores! Lots of stores are named in different languages to add flare and aesthetic, but most stores are in the country’s most common language and/or alphabet. It’s a great way to practice reading a new alphabet and familiarizing yourself with how the country uses it in everyday life.  (Pic below is found on Google Earth in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan)

3. Monuments/Memorials! Historical places, including memorials, are often written and described in the language of the country they are settled in. Plus, you can read the descriptions and plaques at your own pace without feeling rushed. :) (Pic below is of a memorial in Turin, Italy)