![\"Tandem](\"https:\/\/smartergerman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/2wg9Lnuy1jXoQdbmzG9E2RwbRMNBmEoWnUW5PxVJhS7sEbd3GIdujday4DCZMZMoNB0u7UwGpyQMgh4SCyKv-ToUDlKNXjchF98qgIZBS_xDsCoOPoVMA4VFP7kWAi6J1n5fGzmpCVApYuMHWsdFkvA.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf your main aim was just to get to know someone with whom you could exchange ideas, views, emotions and experiences, then you\u2019d look for someone speaking English. Now many language learning experts recommend finding a German tandem* partner to practice with. I did that, too before and if you like it, go for it. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I often find that learners either don\u2019t have the time nor the desire to meet someone just for this purpose. And also half of the time you would be speaking in your mother tongue and that time would be lost for you (while the other half is lost to the other person). There are a few other flaws that I would like you to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tandems are Boring<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nConversation needs common interests. Simply wanting to learn a language is too little exciting to hold a relationship for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if you pick some topics to discuss with limited conversational skills it would still be artificial and feel unnatural. I once had a Turkish-German tandem but she was only interested in Turkish soap operas, tennis and complaining about the bad weather in Germany. And I simply wasn\u2019t too much into sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a tandem to be efficient, you would have to meet at least 2 to 3 times a week. Imagine meeting someone you don\u2019t share similar interests with that often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Find](\"https:\/\/smartergerman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Mh_KLbLTzvXHX8NrU9HX1hlM6KpFxeGNskTnnIuWZAWhbjljnBAbQTZKei4RsOVg-toqpWSJZHM6BjJjDhvuWw-UrkN6EJ6ZMONZfx29MgKwMxrXKGQPBhKPfo6KfH8SJkJ91_KCN9yHegZF0tcXrus.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\ndie Wippe \u2013 the see-saw \/ Image by Pixabay<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Tandem Partners Is Not for Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThen there is the time and money you will need as you would have to meet somewhere and most likely spend half an hour going there and another half hour going back. So assuming you meet for about an hour – plus 15 minutes before and after the meeting, so you won\u2019t have to end the conversation abruptly \u2013 your meeting with your German Language Exchange Partner would take you 2.5 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assuming you drink two coffees during this time, you\u2019d spend 6 Euro + 5 Euro for the metro tickets. Suppose you would meet in a caf\u00e9 halfway, that would make up to 100 EUR monthly if you met 2-3 times a week as recommended before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you meet online, of course, you won\u2019t have to calculate the cost for your internet provider. I\u2019m not THAT German.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your German Language Exchange Partner Needs to Ne a Good Match<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your foreign language skills are not at the same level, your tandem is doomed to bore the more skilled one of you very quickly while making the slower one feel bad. Also what level do you think you need to be to be able to have a conversation? Or are you going to (ab)use your tandem as a teacher? Is that his or her special skill then?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having a bad teacher is worse than having none, unless you try to learn all by yourself without really knowing how. The result of that can be seen in this video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom B1 on, you will be able to have slow but more interesting conversations. Anything below that is a strain for all who take part in it IF you don\u2019t prepare your meeting with your German Language Exchange Partner properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to learn how to do a German Language Exchange from A-Z and benefit from it, you must check out our Tandem Training \u2013 “Having a successful language exchange”. You can preview it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTandems Require a Lot of Discipline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNot only needs the speaking time to be under control but also switching between languages has to be kept to a minimum. It can and should never be totally avoided as it is natural to use one\u2019s own language as a helper in times of need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And after an exhausting workday, keeping your appointment with a tandem is much more difficult than with a professional that charges you for his or her time. Also, the professional has a better ear for what needs to be worked on and should have the appropriate material for you at hand to work it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So What Are the Alternatives, Then?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe have a saying in Germany and I can only state its validity when it comes down to German learning: Was nichts kostet ist nichts wert. If it\u2019s free, it isn\u2019t any good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPay someone to listen to your still broken German and make them tell you when you make a mistake. This way you shall become aware of things you use wrongly repeatedly and look them up later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry, you wouldn\u2019t have to pay 30 EUR or more for someone professional. There are platforms where people are giving away their time for 12 EUR or even less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These might not be the most experienced ones but they might be motivated to become one of these. And they are interested in improving their skills as teachers. But at least you wouldn\u2019t have to talk English for half of the time making one lesson with the paid folks twice as valuable as a tandem session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And remember the costs for the drinks. That\u2019s 8 EUR alone, not counting the trip costs. Also these sessions could take place via Skype and you would also save the commute time. On the next page you will find several links that will help you to find a practice partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UPDATE: Especially when you are a beginner, you will not need more than 15-20 minutes of speaking from your side. So you should try to arrange shorter meetings with your paid or your German language exchange partner. That is not only way more efficient and costs a lot less in case you choose the paid option but also makes and keeps the meetings more interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many professional tutors might not be keen on just spending 15 mins per day with you but don\u2019t give up. Plus you don\u2019t need the best tutor in the world for this. Anyone willing to talk and correct your German every now and then might do, especially when you tell them to get our Tandem Training<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere do I find a German language exchange partner?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ll recommend a few places in our Tandem Training but below I\u2019ve put together a more extensive list of interesting language exchange platforms. Feel free to try them all and to let us know about your experience with them. As the internet is a fast pace place, some platforms might already be dead by the time you read this. Inform us about that too please. Not all of these are free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tandem.net<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeaktalkchat<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palabea<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversation Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nToytown Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Language Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nErste Nachhilfe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIntercambio<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tandemb\u00f6rse of the Humboldt University<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BerlinSprach- und Kulturb\u00f6rse of the Technical University<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Berlin Zems of the Technical University Berlin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That should do for the beginning. You might also look for a \u201ccheap\u201d [anything from 5-20 EUR is cheap] teacher on these pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
iTalki.com (affiliate link)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Verbling<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\ndie Wippe \u2013 the see-saw \/ Image by Pixabay<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using Tandem Partners Is Not for Free<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThen there is the time and money you will need as you would have to meet somewhere and most likely spend half an hour going there and another half hour going back. So assuming you meet for about an hour – plus 15 minutes before and after the meeting, so you won\u2019t have to end the conversation abruptly \u2013 your meeting with your German Language Exchange Partner would take you 2.5 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assuming you drink two coffees during this time, you\u2019d spend 6 Euro + 5 Euro for the metro tickets. Suppose you would meet in a caf\u00e9 halfway, that would make up to 100 EUR monthly if you met 2-3 times a week as recommended before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you meet online, of course, you won\u2019t have to calculate the cost for your internet provider. I\u2019m not THAT German.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your German Language Exchange Partner Needs to Ne a Good Match<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your foreign language skills are not at the same level, your tandem is doomed to bore the more skilled one of you very quickly while making the slower one feel bad. Also what level do you think you need to be to be able to have a conversation? Or are you going to (ab)use your tandem as a teacher? Is that his or her special skill then?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having a bad teacher is worse than having none, unless you try to learn all by yourself without really knowing how. The result of that can be seen in this video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFrom B1 on, you will be able to have slow but more interesting conversations. Anything below that is a strain for all who take part in it IF you don\u2019t prepare your meeting with your German Language Exchange Partner properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to learn how to do a German Language Exchange from A-Z and benefit from it, you must check out our Tandem Training \u2013 “Having a successful language exchange”. You can preview it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTandems Require a Lot of Discipline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNot only needs the speaking time to be under control but also switching between languages has to be kept to a minimum. It can and should never be totally avoided as it is natural to use one\u2019s own language as a helper in times of need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And after an exhausting workday, keeping your appointment with a tandem is much more difficult than with a professional that charges you for his or her time. Also, the professional has a better ear for what needs to be worked on and should have the appropriate material for you at hand to work it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So What Are the Alternatives, Then?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe have a saying in Germany and I can only state its validity when it comes down to German learning: Was nichts kostet ist nichts wert. If it\u2019s free, it isn\u2019t any good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nPay someone to listen to your still broken German and make them tell you when you make a mistake. This way you shall become aware of things you use wrongly repeatedly and look them up later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry, you wouldn\u2019t have to pay 30 EUR or more for someone professional. There are platforms where people are giving away their time for 12 EUR or even less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These might not be the most experienced ones but they might be motivated to become one of these. And they are interested in improving their skills as teachers. But at least you wouldn\u2019t have to talk English for half of the time making one lesson with the paid folks twice as valuable as a tandem session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And remember the costs for the drinks. That\u2019s 8 EUR alone, not counting the trip costs. Also these sessions could take place via Skype and you would also save the commute time. On the next page you will find several links that will help you to find a practice partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UPDATE: Especially when you are a beginner, you will not need more than 15-20 minutes of speaking from your side. So you should try to arrange shorter meetings with your paid or your German language exchange partner. That is not only way more efficient and costs a lot less in case you choose the paid option but also makes and keeps the meetings more interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many professional tutors might not be keen on just spending 15 mins per day with you but don\u2019t give up. Plus you don\u2019t need the best tutor in the world for this. Anyone willing to talk and correct your German every now and then might do, especially when you tell them to get our Tandem Training<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhere do I find a German language exchange partner?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ll recommend a few places in our Tandem Training but below I\u2019ve put together a more extensive list of interesting language exchange platforms. Feel free to try them all and to let us know about your experience with them. As the internet is a fast pace place, some platforms might already be dead by the time you read this. Inform us about that too please. Not all of these are free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tandem.net<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeaktalkchat<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Palabea<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversation Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nToytown Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Language Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nErste Nachhilfe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nIntercambio<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tandemb\u00f6rse of the Humboldt University<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BerlinSprach- und Kulturb\u00f6rse of the Technical University<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Berlin Zems of the Technical University Berlin<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That should do for the beginning. You might also look for a \u201ccheap\u201d [anything from 5-20 EUR is cheap] teacher on these pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
iTalki.com (affiliate link)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Verbling<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your foreign language skills are not at the same level, your tandem is doomed to bore the more skilled one of you very quickly while making the slower one feel bad. Also what level do you think you need to be to be able to have a conversation? Or are you going to (ab)use your tandem as a teacher? Is that his or her special skill then?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having a bad teacher is worse than having none, unless you try to learn all by yourself without really knowing how. The result of that can be seen in this video<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From B1 on, you will be able to have slow but more interesting conversations. Anything below that is a strain for all who take part in it IF you don\u2019t prepare your meeting with your German Language Exchange Partner properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to learn how to do a German Language Exchange from A-Z and benefit from it, you must check out our Tandem Training \u2013 “Having a successful language exchange”. You can preview it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only needs the speaking time to be under control but also switching between languages has to be kept to a minimum. It can and should never be totally avoided as it is natural to use one\u2019s own language as a helper in times of need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And after an exhausting workday, keeping your appointment with a tandem is much more difficult than with a professional that charges you for his or her time. Also, the professional has a better ear for what needs to be worked on and should have the appropriate material for you at hand to work it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have a saying in Germany and I can only state its validity when it comes down to German learning: Was nichts kostet ist nichts wert. If it\u2019s free, it isn\u2019t any good.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pay someone to listen to your still broken German and make them tell you when you make a mistake. This way you shall become aware of things you use wrongly repeatedly and look them up later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t worry, you wouldn\u2019t have to pay 30 EUR or more for someone professional. There are platforms where people are giving away their time for 12 EUR or even less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These might not be the most experienced ones but they might be motivated to become one of these. And they are interested in improving their skills as teachers. But at least you wouldn\u2019t have to talk English for half of the time making one lesson with the paid folks twice as valuable as a tandem session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And remember the costs for the drinks. That\u2019s 8 EUR alone, not counting the trip costs. Also these sessions could take place via Skype and you would also save the commute time. On the next page you will find several links that will help you to find a practice partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UPDATE: Especially when you are a beginner, you will not need more than 15-20 minutes of speaking from your side. So you should try to arrange shorter meetings with your paid or your German language exchange partner. That is not only way more efficient and costs a lot less in case you choose the paid option but also makes and keeps the meetings more interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many professional tutors might not be keen on just spending 15 mins per day with you but don\u2019t give up. Plus you don\u2019t need the best tutor in the world for this. Anyone willing to talk and correct your German every now and then might do, especially when you tell them to get our Tandem Training<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ll recommend a few places in our Tandem Training but below I\u2019ve put together a more extensive list of interesting language exchange platforms. Feel free to try them all and to let us know about your experience with them. As the internet is a fast pace place, some platforms might already be dead by the time you read this. Inform us about that too please. Not all of these are free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tandem.net<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaktalkchat<\/p>\n\n\n\n Palabea<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversation Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Toytown Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n My Language Exchange<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Erste Nachhilfe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Intercambio<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tandemb\u00f6rse of the Humboldt University<\/p>\n\n\n\n BerlinSprach- und Kulturb\u00f6rse of the Technical University<\/p>\n\n\n\n Berlin Zems of the Technical University Berlin<\/p>\n\n\n\n That should do for the beginning. You might also look for a \u201ccheap\u201d [anything from 5-20 EUR is cheap] teacher on these pages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n iTalki.com (affiliate link)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Verbling<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nTandems Require a Lot of Discipline<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So What Are the Alternatives, Then?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where do I find a German language exchange partner?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n