TANDEM

Graphics: Robert Dancker

What is Tandem Language Learning?

Tandem language learning is a way of exchanging languages and cultures through a language partnership. In tandem learning, two people with different mother tongues meet regularly to learn each other’s language. If you want to improve your English, for example, you can work together with a tandem partner whose mother tongue is English and who is learning your native language. This can be done either in addition to a language course or independently.

How Can I Find a Partner for a Tandem Exchange?

We are happy to include you in our tandem database. This service is free of charge and open to

immatriculated students of the University of Freiburg, other universities in Freiburg (Pädagogische Hochschule, Musikhochschule etc.), AYF, IES Freiburg and Eucor Universities,
staff members of the University of Freiburg and other universities in Freiburg (Pädagogische Hochschule, Musikhochschule etc.),
SLI language course participants.

Please fill in our registration e-mail. We will contact you as soon as we have a suitable tandem partner for you.

To protect your data, we will delete it after three months. You can register here again at any time.

Other possibilities for finding a tandem parnter are the tandem office of the University of Education (Pädagogische Hoschschule), the language tandem for doctoral researcher at the International Graduate Academy as well as the International Club at the Studierendenwerk Freiburg. They also organise the Café Multilingua, where you can meet people from all over the world to chat in different languages: www.swfr.de/en/ic

What happens during a Tandem Agreement?

You and your tandem partner agree on meeting every week for two hours and dedicating an hour to each language, for example. You might also agree that when talking in your partner’s native language, it is up to you to establish how you would like to work and which topics you would like to cover. When talking in your native language, you will try to support your partner and their efforts of successfully communicating in your native language.

Where Can I Get Ideas, Gudelines and Advice?

Please find useful tips for successful tandem language learning here. Filling out a learning contract with your partner will help you to define your learnig objectives.

If you have questions or if you need advice, please do not hesitate to contact Astrid Nothen.

You can also find ideas and guidelines for your tandem meetings here:

Tandem-Stiftung

www.seagull-tandem.eu

Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Sprachenzentrum der Universität Marburg

We assume no liability for the contents of external links.

What are the Advantages of Tandem Learning?

Tandem learning

is free and usually highly effective.

combines learning and real communication: at any moment, at least one of the partners is learning regardless of the topic and the language they use.

is fair: in a tandem pair, both partners give and receive equally.

may help increasing learner autonomy: you decide what, how much and how you will learn and your tandem partner will help you reach your goals.

may help improving your intercultural competence and your knowledge of the political and cultural institutions of the country where the language is spoken: you will not only learn a language, but will also come into contact with new interesting information about your partner, their environment and the culture of their country of origin as well.

is the ideal supplement to a language course: you can work on the tasks assigned in the course or revise them together with your partner.