Finding a Language Partner
Finding a language partner or teacher can be the best thing you do in your English learning journey. But, it’s not always as simple as that, so let’s look at how you can find a partner and continue practising for a long time.
What is a Language Partner?
A language partner is someone you can practise English with, but also help them learn your native language. If you want to save money, you can find a language partner where you help each other. If you want the most time in English conversation, then you can pay for an online tutor to chat to.
Finding the Right Language Partner
Be patient to find the right language partner. Sometimes the level just won’t work even if you have a good connection. Ideally, look for someone with a similar level to you and it’s more likely you will speak 50/50.
If they are much better than you then it feels like speaking in the language you’re learning is just a favour to you. If you are equal then both languages must be used to get certain points across.
Don’t be discouraged if you have a few bad experiences – it’s just like friendship or dating – you can’t expect everyone to be a good match for you. In fact, the same goes for finding a personal tutor.
What if I’m Shy?
Try a 15-minute talk with someone to dip your toe in the water.
It will be scary. You will be nervous days beforehand, but just think about where you could be in 5 year’s time!
How to Keep a Good Relationship
Be sure to offer a time for your next meeting at the end of your talk. A regular time every week would be ideal.
When it’s time to switch over, be sure to remind them to speak your language too.
Do your best to talk in your language and don’t be lazy. Consider writing corrections for them as well – you scratch my back, I scratch yours.
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Hello Michael, I can’t thank you enough for sharing with us tips about nearly everything I need. I downloaded italki long time ago when I was listening to your podcast but I never used it. Few days ago I saw the app and thought of taking a look at it. To be honest I’m was really impressed about everything. I never thought I would be able to find a language partner, many exercises to do and getting feedbacks and corrections from other teachers/students. It’s absolutely the best app I’ve been using so far. After few day of making my account and posting some posts I received a massage from a person who wanted to be a language partner and I was extremely happy to hear that because I always thought getting a language parter is difficult, I tried to find some on social media but I never succeeded. So I accepted his offer immediately, after a video call (which I had today) i found out that his English isn’t that good. He’s half British and half Turkish but for me it seems that his English isn’t so clear, he’ve got an accent that is kind of hard to understand and he do not speak smoothly. Do you think this is something to consider and could affect me or is it normal?
Thanks again for this episode and all the other ones. Sorry if the massage contains many unnecessary details but I though of this as a way to practice as well. Have a nice day/night!!
Hi Fatima! Thanks for listening and commenting. I’m so pleased to hear you had a nice experience using italki. I’ve been using it for many years and I think it’s a great tool for language learners.
Regarding choosing a language partner, don’t feel bad if you have to change. It’s important to get someone you feel comfortable with. I’m sure you could still make good progress with him, but it’s up to you in the end.
Personally, I tend to find someone who is a native speaker who is learning my language. That way, you know their English pronunciation will be good and you can share things from your own language with them. Good luck!
Thx MICHAEL so much I’m trying to learn English with you .
Hey thanks for taking the time to listen and leave a comment! Really appreciate it. Keep up the practice
I like this length of the podcast (it’s not too long)!
Great feedback! Thanks Jorgen