Chris Freeman
What's the best way to make use of your language exchange calls?
I have a language exchange coming up and I'm wandering what's the best way to go about this?

I am a native English speaker who has only had like 5 lessons in the past 5 weeks (1x 1 hour lessons each week). So, my Spanish level is almost zero, but I have just signed up for 4x 30 min additional lessons with a different teacher as well, because I wanted to practice more often without having to pay as much as my primary teacher who's more experienced and much more expensive.

My language exchange partner are native Spanish speakers who have either an English level of B1 or A2.

I'm more than okay that we start speaking English more (which suits them too), because my Spanish is so weak right now, but due to my extremely limited understanding and vocabulary in Spanish. I'm not sure how helpful it will be for me, especially if I don't know how to go about this.

I know one tip is to simply find those who have a greater level of Spanish, but even then. I believe that they may spend more time just re-explaining again whatever I'm learning a lot more so than anything else, because I'm an absolute beginner right now. XD

Any tips or is it really that I should only speak with Spanish speakers who are at least say a level B2, due to me being so new to Spanish.
17 lug 2019 01:18
Commenti · 5
5

It's probably not what you want to hear, but language exchange is very difficult when you have a very low level. If you and your partner are up for it, then by all means give it a go, but realize it's going to be very challenging.

One thing you can do is practice reading out loud and have your partner offer pronunciation help. Beyond that, it's going to be hard to have a conversation if you have to stop constantly to ask what was said or when you have to continually look up every second word when trying to speak.

Best of luck! Let us know how it goes. Maybe you will find something that works really well and you can offer it as an idea for others.

17 luglio 2019
1
Hi Chris! I'll copy here an idea that I posted in my profile. Maybe you can try it with your languages partners:

What about learning/practicing a language by reading comics? This is how it would work. Both partners would have two versions of the same comic book, one in English and one in Spanish (I could provide the comics on PC for free). If you're practicing Spanish you would read some pages of the Spanish version out loud. Your partner would correct your pronunciation and solve any doubts you could have. At some point during the reading your partner would stop you to ask you some questions about the plot like "tell me, briefly, how did the character get here?" "What has happened so far?" "Could you describe the image of this page?" And you would have to answer in Spanish. Then you would have to do the same when your partner read in English. In the end you can share our opinions about the comic.
18 luglio 2019
@Sergio

That sounds fun, but I wouldn't be able to answer of those questions you suggested and I don't think A2 English speakers can. However, B1 and up I think it would work better. For me, as you pointed out earlier, it would more for pronunciation.

But I'm curious enough to give it a try.
18 luglio 2019
Spanish is much easier than English, so there is hope... keep on listening as much as possible (I advice radio instead of video/youtube), avoid talking in English as much as possible and continue with the exchanges (the other level doesnt really matter, because it's you who need to talk as much as possible in Spanish.) re and re-explain again - this is the right way to learn, so dont avoid it...
17 luglio 2019
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17 luglio 2019
Chris Freeman
Competenze linguistiche
Inglese, Spagnolo
Lingua di apprendimento
Spagnolo
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