Updated: October 16, 2020

Tandem Language Exchange Review - Find Native Speakers and Study with Them

Tandem

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How do you learn a new foreign language? In a common way, you need to start with the basic pronunciation rules, learn more new words and daily phrases, listen to podcasts or YouTube videos to practice your listening skills, and more. However, after you've done all of these, you still find yourself get stuttered when talking to native speakers, or have problems writing articles even you have remembered thousands of words. You just can't say it or combine sentences to form beautiful articles. These things happen to me when I start to learn Thai recently. Since we are not surrounded by people who talk in Thai, it's fairly hard for a second language learner like me to actually master this language.

So I searched the web to find out if there are certain tools that can help me reach native speakers, so we can practice together. Then I came across Tandem. The concept "Language Exchange" just captured my interest, so I decided to give this app a try and learn how it works.

What's Tandem Language Exchange?

Tandem, created by Tripod Technology GmbH, is a language exchange platform that allows you to communicate with native speakers all around the world to improve your language skills. The app has been out for a few years and received tons of decent reviews on Google Play. Tandem Language Exchange is now available on both Google Play and the App Store. It's free to download this app but requires upgrading your account to unlock some important features.

How does it work?

After downloading this app on your mobile devices, you need to follow a series of instructions to complete your registration. During this process, it requires you to choose your native language and the language you want to practice and learn. So Tandem can push the right language exchange partners and potential options that suit you the most after you enter the community. In order to create the account successfully, you need to upload a profile photo that clearly shows your face for confirmation, or your application will be rejected. The profile photo is editable, you can change it anytime and anywhere you like after creating the account successfully.

Then you need to wait. According to Tandem, they need "some more time to look over your application" and "might take up to 7 days" to send you an invite. To skip the line, you can upgrade your account and access to the community immediately. I don't know it's for safety consideration or just wants users to purchase their VIP advantages. But fortunately, it doesn't take too long to wait. I got access to the community quickly the next day after my registration.

Then you finally enter the front page of the Tandem community. This language app has a clear and beautiful UI design and users can interact with it without difficulty. Since Tandem features a language exchange function, it will push you the native speakers you may like, or the users speak the language you want to learn fluently on the front page. All you need to do is to browse their profile, check out the language they speak, what're their preferred partners like, what's their goals, and some other things. Then you can send them a message and start to communicate with them. Tandem allows users to message or follow others. However, if you want to unlock features like video call, audio call, check people near your place, you need to purchase money to upgrade your account.

I tried to start a few conversations with native speakers, it went quite smoothly. One of the fascinating things about this app is that you can always find your potential language exchange partners that are active online no matter where you live. The bad sides? Just like we social and study in real life, especially if language learners are from different cultures, different time zones, and maybe different learning goals and topics, it's just kind of tricky and challenging to find learning partners that suit you most. It takes time and also patience. When you find some learners with the same passions, you guys can set a specific time to practice together.

Another amazing feature about Tandem is that it has a "Correct" part in a chat. So when you talk to your learning partner through messages, you can correct his/her sentences immediately and easily. Tandem also includes a Tutor part. In this section, users can find a tutor and book their lessons to improve their language skills. There are lots of teachers for you to choose and each teacher charges differently.

A Tinder-like dating app?

It depends on you how to define this app. Tandem does have some similar features to Tinder, like private chat, a detailed profile, and face pictures, but we can't deny it's also a powerful platform to reach native speakers and learn easily without stepping out of your house. All the conversations on Tandem are only between two learners. As a second language learner, I also expect to see more features like group chat and forum that will allow learners to raise their language questions and have a chance to communicate with more people from all around the world.

Conclusion

Tandem is a decent app for language learners to practice, learn different cultures, and make new friends. Besides chatting with native speakers, you still need to put a lot of effort into your daily learning in order to level up your language skills.

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