We all know it: mastering a new language is tough. Language apps can only teach you so much and pronunciation and fluency still remain a challenge, even after countless in-game achievements.
That's where language tandem partnerships come into play. By conversing with native speakers, you can practise your speaking and listening skills in a real-world context. This not only helps you improve your fluency but also gives you insights into the culture and nuances of the language.
A language tandem occurs when two individuals with different mother tongues collaborate to teach each other their native languages. Tandems offer an effective and worthwhile supplement to traditional language schools or language learning apps. In addition, these sessions are free of charge as they are based on the principle of mutual exchange.
The premier platform for finding language partners in Switzerland is Sprachtandem.ch. Launched in 2014 by a dedicated team based in Switzerland, the service now boasts over 26.000 members seeking language exchange partners.
Sprachtandem.ch simplifies the process of finding tandem partners by allowing searches by desired language, city, or postcode. Registration is straightforward: just provide your name, location, the languages you speak, and those you wish to learn, along with a brief description to help potential partners understand what you’re looking for.
The obvious benefit of a language tandem is the substantial improvement of your language skills. Through regular conversations with a native speaker of the language you’re learning, you will greatly improve your listening comprehension, pronunciation and vocabulary.
Instead of sitting in a formal classroom or in front of a screen, you can meet in a cosy café or take a walk in the park while you chat. The informal setting allows you to use the language in a natural context and reduce your inhibitions when learning a new language.
At the same time, you will not only immerse yourself in the language but also in the culture of your tandem partner. You will learn more about the way of life, traditions and mindset of the people who use the language on a daily basis. These skills are invaluable in today's globalised world.
Sprachtandem.ch is free to use. If you want to support the initiative, you can sign up for one of their subscription plans, which will give you some benefits: your profile will be ranked higher in the search results and it will unlock advanced search filters, to help you find the ideal language partner.
2024 is their 10-year anniversary! For this reason, the monthly plan is discounted from 9 Swiss francs to only 5 francs per month until the end of August 2024.