The effort of learning a language without using it in practice could be compared to the effort of trying to get in shape by reading fitness magazines on your sofa.
Of course, it is not always easy, especially when you can’t for any reason; neither travel abroad nor use the particular language at work. But there is an option: it’s called the Language Exchange.
This is not the typical method of learning, but it can dramatically improve your language skills. The idea is that you will find a native speaker (preferably, but not necessarily) of the language you want to learn, who wants to learn your language. You can correspond, or you can meet. You can dedicate half of your time to one language and the other half to the other language.
However, that is only a theoretical description of Language Exchange’s principle. There is a lot of ways how to employ this method. Some spend all their time going through grammar rules, others by sitting in a pub drinking beer and just chatting. You could also happen to find foreigners, who don't want to learn any language, but would like to go out for coffee with a "native" just for fun.
No matter what kind of communication you choose, being in touch with a native speaker of your target language is a great motivation for studying languages. You will lose the fear of communication in your second language and you can considerably improve your speaking and writing skills.
Where can you find a Language Exchange partner? By using search engines, you will be able to find a number of internet projects for this purpose. Most of them are free, but some charge a small subscription fee.
Tips for Language Exchange:
• Avoid websites where your email address could be easily obtained for spammers.
• When filling in a registration form, make an effort to describe exactly what you are expecting and what can you offer.
• Try to find someone with similar interests and hobbies.
• Enrol in to several projects at a time to increase the chance.
• First meetings of unknown people should take place in public areas
• If you and your Language Exchange partner take your sessions seriously, prepare yourselves for each session, so you don’t waste each other’s time.
Related Articles
Start Teaching Your Children At An Early Age
By: David Peters | 23/07/2006 | Advertising
It is really never too early to start teaching your children about money. And the sooner you begin teaching your children about money the better chance they will grow up to have a well-rounded and responsible appreciation of the uses and value of money.
Any One Can Teach
By: caroline mackay | 10/07/2007 | Education
How many of you have heard this? Well, I’m here to tell you that this is false. Everyone can teach, but not in a classroom. Some yea5rs ago the newspaper reported of a very successful lawyer who had always dreamed of being a teacher. He had made a lot of money as a lawyer and decided to follow his dream and become a teacher. He became a teacher and because he was a very successful lawyer he felt that he could be a very successful teacher. He started in September and lasted until Christmas
It's Never To Young To Learn Your Kids
By: Jason Roberts | 12/08/2006 | Advertising
It's never too early to start teaching your kids about money. If you start teaching your kids about money early there is a much better chance that they will grow up being responsible with money and appreciating the value of money.
Struggling Readers: The Struggles
By: Peter Waycik | 11/05/2006 | Advertising
Struggling readers have a number of barriers to their success that can be overcome if they are properly understood and addressed.
These Unique Computer Tips Can Make Language Learning Easier
By: Kathy Steinemann | 22/05/2007 | Languages
Your computer can be used as a creative tool in your quest to learn a foreign language. Some innovative ideas can turn your language education into an entertaining, truly memorable experience.
Teaching Patriotism is a Growing Concern
By: caroline mackay | 07/08/2007 | Education
Patriotism is a growing concern in our nation today. One of the ways to teach children patriotism is to have them be in an informative play or program. Many schools and teachers are looking for programs to fit this description that are easy to put on and take very little practice time to present. With all the teaching and testing that teachers are required to do for the “No Child Left Behind” idea has left them with little time to do the creative programs for their students.
Integrating Technology in the Classroom: an Introduction
By: Alyx Kaczuwka | 17/10/2007 | K-12 Education
Today’s students are web-savvy, eager users of technology who expect their education to be interactive, engaging and immediately relevant. To reach them, you need to integrate technology in the classroom much as they integrate technology into their daily lives. If this sounds like a challenge, it is, but teachers can and should be able to use their technology resources to the fullest to enhance their students’ education.
Nonni Und Manni DVD Review for German Teachers and Students
By: Kathy Steinemann | 03/03/2007 | Languages
German language teachers and students are always on the lookout for interesting ways to present lessons or improve vocabulary. This DVD series may be a helpful resource. The vocabulary is simple, and the episodes are only 52 minutes long.
Latest Languages Articles
Rocket Japanese: Why Audio Lessons are Important When Learning Japanese
By: Bill Chatterly | 19/08/2008
It's difficult to learn Japanese, and it can be harder if you don't have audio lessons to help you understand. Rocket Japanese provides the audio lessons needed to fully learn Japanese.
Corporate Translation Services
By: Corporate Translation Services | 19/08/2008
translation services,medical translation services,spanish translation company,translation agency,translation company,corporate translation,professional translation service,language translation services,legal translation services,professional translation services,translation agencies,corporate translation service,website translation services,document translation services,professional language translation,professional language translation services,corporate translation services,professional transl
Learn English UK
By: Mike N | 19/08/2008
The English language is one of the most popular languages in the world, it is a very interesting language and can be a very deep subject depending on the extent in which you study it
Rising to the Linguistic Challenge
By: Philip Yaffe | 19/08/2008
Americans and other native English speakers seldom learn other languages, because they seldom have the opportunity to use them outside the classroom. Most language courses seem to ignore this very obvious fact. To improve learning, language courses for native English speakers need to be fundamentally rethought and reoriented to deal with the very real impediment. This article offers one possible approach.
How to Use the Internet to Learn Spanish
By: Freddy Poveda | 18/08/2008
The best way to learn Spanish is to surround yourself with native Speakers. Unfortunately, a trip to Central America or Spain is going to cost you a large amount of money, plus the fact that you won’t be earning any while you are there is enough to give one a headache. But if you have a broadband connected computer, you can reach native speakers electronically in just a matter of minutes!
Learning Foreign Language Makes Your Curriculum Vitae Unique & Prestigious
By: C. Sanjib | 17/08/2008
Learning of foreign language has become very popular nowadays because, the job or working opportunities are much more than other discipline and the demand for trained Foreign Language Professional is less than supply.
A Guide to Learning Chinese Online
By: Andri Irawan | 15/08/2008
If learning the Chinese language is on your list of things to do, then consider using the first tool at your fingertips…your computer. Today, the internet is chocked full of a multitude of a variety of instructions for learning Chinese.
English Course London
By: Mike N | 13/08/2008
This article will go into detail and explain some of the various opportunities available in the UK to learn English language. It will provide you with the basic information when it comes to learning English language in the UK.
Education 
