Are you interested in improving your language skills outside of the classroom environment? Would you like to have an intercultural learning exchange? Then tandem language learning could be your cup of tea! You would work with a learning partner from another country. They learn your native language and and you learn theirs. The idea of this partnership is that both partners should benefit equally. A Russian exchange student could learn German from a student here who is trying to improve their Russian.
If you are interested in finding a tandem partner, we will add you to our register. Please fill in the registration form. We will contact you once we have found a learning partner for you.
Basic knowledge of the target language is one of the requirements. However, in order for this partnership to work well, here are some basic rules for successful tandem learning:
- Meet regularly once a week with your tandem partner, ideally for two hours.
- The first hour is used to practice and learn your target language (partner's native language). Your partner speaks and/or writes in his/her native language. In the second half your partner learns your native language from you. Basically you communicate in your native language.
- Both parties take personal responsibilty for their their own learning objectives and methods. The partners are also responsible for bringing their learning materials to the tandem meeting.
- Respect the learning objectives and working methods of your tandem partner even if they differ from your own ideas of what is to be considered an adequate learning objective or proper method.
- Keep to an appointment and if you are unable to meet at the agreed time, inform your partner in time.
Please note that we only provide tandem partners among members of the University of Vechta.
Materials for tandem learning
Photo credits: Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash (Seagull project) | Alexis Brown on Unsplash (Profin project)