Tips for a Successful Online Language Exchange

Find a Virtual Practice Partner and Talk Foreign exchange Language

Many Pimsleur students are practicing their language abilities online as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads.

If it is your first language exchange, it can be intimidating.

This advice will help you succeed in your first language exchange.

Online language exchanges split your time between two languages. Both you and your virtual practice partner will aid each other with their native exchange languages.

Virtual Conversations – Taking Your Language Practice Online might help you find a virtual conversation partner.
Pre-Exchange Considerations

These tips aim to preempt technological issues. Thus, you can spend all your time studying your language—the reason you are meeting!

Meet at a time that suits both of you. Mind the time difference.
Choose a chat app like Zoom, Skype, or another. Pre-session contacts.
Check your Internet. Will video chat work?
Set aside time for each language with your companion. Intermediate-level students should spend 30 minutes on each language.
Join the session somewhere quiet. Remove distractions.

Conversation Preparation

Consider your goals before your first meeting. Do you like the present tense? Past tense? Environment talk?
Tell your companion what topic or grammar you want to practice. Inform them ahead of time so they can prepare.
Avoid overrehearsing before the session. Language exchange is about learning to converse naturally. Memorized speeches do not increase conversation skills.
Before the call, review vocabulary or verb conjugation.

Call Starts

After you have introduced yourselves and chosen a language to practice, consider these:

Choose your feedback method. Two main choices are:
    Real-time correction with native speaker input
    At natural pauses, the native speaker takes notes and corrects typical mistakes.

Enjoy yourselves! Language exchange is scary, but your partner is probably nervous too.
Watch the clock and keep to each language's time limit.
Keep talking. Ask inquiries regarding what your partner says. If you forget, take notes!
Avoid speaking English unless you are practicing. If you are stuck, prepare some sentences in your target language. “Can you explain what that means please?” is French.
Accept that you will make mistakes and not always comprehend. Every language student goes through this, but it helps you recall structures.
Have a notepad! You will acquire tons of language throughout the chat, but if you do not review it, it will not stick.
Talking again is fine! Repeating the conversation to practice new vocabulary or grammar is fine if your companion has taught you something.

Language Exchange Conversation Ideas

Though natural dialogue is fantastic, sometimes you need a little help.

If the talk lags, prepare questions. Start with these:

Ask about their country. Language exchanges are great for making new friends and learning about different cultures.
Ask about your partner's slang.
Ask about weekend plans and last weekend.
Discuss your top concerns.
What is the latest good news?
What is your biggest accomplishment today/week/month?
Appreciate what?
Your hometown's best feature?
What is your favorite recipe?
Last birthday?
What have you learned?

We asked positive questions since a good outlook helps during lockdown. Under these unique circumstances, positive news, stories, and recollections will help many people cope with social alienation and isolation.

Why not “truly” escape lockdown and create an entirely made-up world? Fun for hours!
Important Note

After the lockdown, keep your positive outlook during practice.

In language exchange, talking about your day or week might lead to real-life issues.

Talk about your likes and dislikes, but do not be too nasty. Avoid complaining about coworkers or neighbors!

Even if you use impeccable grammar, your companion is a volunteer who desires a pleasant call!
Call Ends

Before ending the call, plan your next session if you enjoyed it. Plan it early to make it a habit.

Consider the session’s pros and cons. Change anything for the next one? Make sure your partner approves of your plans.

Why not exchange emails between sessions to improve your writing?