A language tandem is simple: two people who speak different languages help each other. You speak half the time in one language and half the time in the other – and both of you learn.
1. Find a partner
- Post a tandem ad: what you offer (your native or strong language) and what you are looking for. Ads with a short, personal text get the most replies.
- Search the ads by language and city, or browse the city pages and language cafés.
- Write a message or use “Say hi”. Mention your level and when you are free.
2. Agree on the basics
- Where: a café, a library or online by video.
- How often: once a week for 60–90 minutes works well.
- How to split the time: for example 30 minutes in each language, with a timer.
- Corrections: should your partner correct you straight away or at the end? Say what you prefer.
3. The first meeting
- Start with small talk: where you come from, why you learn the language, what you like doing.
- Use our conversation topics if you run out of ideas.
- Write down new words – in a notebook or a shared online document.
- Meet in a public place and read our safety tips.
4. Keep it going
- Bring something to talk about: a news article, a song, a recipe, a photo.
- Be patient – your partner is learning too. Speak a little slower and ask questions.
- If it does not fit, say so kindly and look for someone else. That is perfectly normal.
Have fun – a tandem is not a lesson, it is a conversation between two people.