When you decide to learn a new language, you might sign up for online college courses or decide to learn from an audiotape or a textbook. Whatever approach you choose, finding someone proficient in the language to engage in a conversation exchange will accelerate your learning process.
Conversation Exchange Defined
A conversation exchange, also known as a language exchange, is designed to benefit the needs of all participants involved in the conversation. With this type of language learning approach, you choose someone who is fluent in the language you are learning to converse with on a regular basis. You can take online college courses in your desired language and reinforce the material by conversing with someone in person.
A Win-Win Proposition
The win-win aspect of a conversation exchange is in both parties gaining something from the process. Ideally, the person you choose to converse with wants to become fluent in English. You divide up your time equally. You might meet three times a week for an hour. In each hour session, you spend a half hour speaking in the language you are learning. You give back in the next half hour by speaking English to your conversation partner.
The Ideal Conversation Exchange Partner
The right conversation partner will have the same level of mastery of your language as you do his or hers. This way, neither party will become frustrated by the language acquisition process. You can adjust to each other’s pace, speaking slowly if necessary.
Language Exchange in a Group Environment
Conversations can also be carried out in groups. In this case, it’s helpful for people of various mastery levels to participate. Those with more expertise can stop and define new vocabulary to participants who are brand new to the language.