Are Language Exchange Partners An Effective Way To Learn A Language?

Language exchanges are awesome, although are they actually effective in helping you learn a language?

I would argue both Yes and No. You can’t really just start from zero and learn everything from a language exchange, this would be impossible, so initially you need to use other techniques to learn the language.

However, once you have some of the basics, you can really use language exchanges to practice what you know and you will gain a lot from them. You will find out a lot about yourself and your ability and I really think that without languages exchanges, you cannot reach a highest level in the language. They really are that important for your development.

Language Exchanges Are Better For Practice

The reality is that language exchanges are a better form of practice, rather than learning.

You really need to get the basics from elsewhere and then bring these to a language exchange. However, you can still learn a lot from them, so they are not just a form of practice.

You will really be testing yourself and you may find that some basic things you thought you had mastered may be a struggle for you, but this is exactly why we practice, to make them stronger.

You may also find that your exchange partner uses words and phrases you have never heard before, so you will still learn from this. It is just that the majority of what you are doing is practice, and that is fine.

Practice Is Important

Learning isn’t always about moving forward and gaining new information, practice is actually very important for your overall development. The more you practice, the stronger you will become at what you already know. You are sort of strengthening your foundation.

This means that when you do go back to learning something new, you will find it easier. The information already in your head will be cemented in there and the new information can easily slot in around it.

If you are a little unsure about what you already know, then adding extra information on top only helps increase that feeling of being unsure.

Spending hours on language exchanges having lots of similar conversations may seem like a waste of time, but it really is not. Its excellent practice and is going to help you become really comfortable with what you already know. 

I would say that this is really key to being able to make progress. It may be a little slow, but it will get you better results in the long run.

You Will Learn More About The Culture

One of the best parts of language exchanges is that you are talking to someone who is a native speaker …who also lives in a country where they speak the language you are learning. This means you are going to find out a lot about their culture through just talking to them.

Culture and language is usually very closely linked and the more you can understand the culture and the mindset of those who speak the language, the more sense you will make of the language.

Having this access to native speakers is really invaluable and something you cannot really get from any other resource. This aspect alone makes it a very effective use of your time.

You Can Ask Them Direct Questions

Another good thing about having a language exchange partner is that you can ask them a direct question.

This can be more effective than using a textbook or trying to look something up online. If there is something you really do not understand in the language you can ask them to explain it.

The only problem is that they might not know the answer. They are just normal people, not language experts. However, they will try.

I am often asked questions about English and some of them have really thrown me. I always end looking things up and then trying to summarise it for my partner and I try and make sure they actually understand.

They still may need to go and watch some videos, or read something else on the topic, but I think my answers do help; or at least give them another perspective on things.

When it comes to simple questions, like asking them to pronounce something properly, you always know you will get a good answer. They can easily send you an audio and basically send you a personalised answer that will help you learn and make sure you understand.

You really are not going to get this from anywhere else, without having to pay for a tutor.  

(You can read more about – Frequently Asked Questions About – Language Exchange Partners)

You Get To Hear How Natives Actually Speak

Another thing that makes language exchanges an effective way to learn is the fact they are real life interactions. You are speaking to a real person and hearing how they really speak.

They are interacting with you on a personal level and this is going to far more beneficial than what you will get form an exercise in a textbook.   

You could argue that natives will make mistakes, where as textbooks will not …and this is true, but hearing these mistakes and the slang are actually how the language is used and it is more authentic, even if it is slightly incorrect.

However, you might have the problem that an exchange partner will not correct your mistakes, they will often understand what you mean and carry on. This can be annoying, but at the same time a textbook, which will not correct you either, so really there isn’t much difference.

 The only way you can guarantee you get corrections, is to pay for a tutor.     

(You can read more about – Why Do Natives Speakers Seem Different To The Text Books?)

Language Exchanges Are Fun

A large part of the appeal of language exchanges is that they are fun …and if you can learn while having fun, it doesn’t feel like learning.

Sometimes more traditional learning can be boring and just generally a painful experience. The second anything you are learning gets like this it becomes extremely difficult to make progress. Everything becomes a real struggle and you just want to give up.

If you want to see faster progress, you need to be enjoying yourself, it really is that simple. I would really encourage you to try and do as many activities around your language that you find fun as you are always going to end up doing these things more often, and for longer, which will all help your progress.

(You can read more about – How Many Language Exchange Partners Do You Need?)

A Language Exchange Will Push You Out Of Your Comfort Zone

One of the reasons why language exchanges are so good is because they will force you out of your comfort zone.

A lot of us think we know certain things and think we are at a certain level …but we never really test it. Having someone talking to you and asking you questions is really going to test you and humble you.

You may think you know how to describe your job for example. You learned all the words around this topic and you watch videos all the time about it too …so you know this, right?

You will be shocked at how little you actually know. You will try and tell your exchange partner about what you do …and your mind will be blank. So maybe you do not know that vocabulary as well as you thought.

It can be stressful when this happens, but it is worth it. Now you know you are weak in this area and you can go back and study it again.

If you keep doing this you will make progress. The next time you are asked about your job, your answer will just flow out and it will feel really rewarding that you are now much more comfortable with that topic.

You need to be pushed like this to see progress and language exchanges are the best way to do this no other resource will test you like this.

(You can read more about – Frequently Asked Questions About – Language Learning Burn Out)

Language Exchanges Can Be A Form Of Immersion

You can also argue that language exchanges are a form of immersion, and I would agree.

You will be reading and listening in your target language so it is a form of input. It will also be information that is comprehensible to you, since it is a conversation you are having. You also get the added bonus of there being output too, so it is very much an interactive immersion.

Of course you will also be talking in your native language at times, since it is an exchange, but I still think there will be enough of the language you are learning to make it extremely beneficial for you. 

(You can read more about – What Is Learning A Language By Immersion?)

Don’t Forget To Still Focus On Other Things

I think language exchanges are extremely valuable and you can learn a lot from them. I really think everyone should be doing them, but I also think it is important to not neglect other areas of language learning.

You should still be focusing on immersion and generally trying to increase your vocabulary and general understanding of the language. These are things you will be doing away from language exchanges, but are certainly things you can bring to your exchanges to practice.

I think if you take this well rounded approach you will end up being more well rounded in your language skills.

(You can read more about – What Are The Benefits Of Having A Language Exchange Partner?)

Conclusion

Hopefully you can now see that language exchanges are a very effective way to learn. They are maybe not “learning” in the traditional way and can maybe be seen more as a form of practice.

However, whatever way you look at it, language exchanges are important. They are going to help you really solidify your knowledge and really get you comfortable and efficient with the language.

They are absolutely worth your time and are something you should be doing!    

(You can read more about – What Are The Best Apps For Language Exchanges?)