FAQ
What is my role in a tandem partnership?
As a tandem partner you are alternately the learner and the “teacher”, although you should consider that you and your partner are in most cases not professional language teachers. Your partner will usually not be able to explain grammatical issues to you. It is important to respect each other's needs. For example, you might want to practise different skills, you might not learn at the same pace or you might have different ways of learning. Try to find ways to understand things and improve your language skills. Do not forget feedback, but agree on how you both want to be corrected.
How much time should I invest in the language tandem?
How much time you want to dedicate to tandem learning depends on you and your partner. It is recommended, though, that you invest at least two hours per week in order to make considerable linguistic progress.
Where do I meet my tandem partner?
You can meet wherever you like, but it should be at a place which is not too loud and not too private. For instance, you could have your first meeting at the university or in a café.
What can I bring to the tandem sessions?
You can bring all materials that concern you in one way or another, including books of different genres, letters, newspaper-articles, pictures, etc. Depending on your language level, it is advisable to bring a dictionary.
For further conversational issues please have a look at:http://www.slf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/etandem/ethilfen-en.html where you can find all kinds of suggestions for your meetings.
How can I communicate with my tandem partner?
You should combine different ways and means of communication in order to make the language tandem a rewarding and exciting experience, such as face-to-face meetings, phone-calls, emails, chats, letters or postcards.
How can my motivation and my partner's motivation for tandem learning be maintained?
Generally, it will help you to clarify - right in the beginning - what your expectations and your availabilities are. Remember that in a tandem partnership both partners decide what to discuss and what to learn. Talk about things that interest you both. Apart from everyday matters you may want to discuss problems and questions from language courses or academic issues; ideas for a project you are involved in may also offer opportunities for discussion. It is up to you and your partner to make the tandem experience as exciting and enriching as possible.
What can I do in the case of special problems?
If you encounter organizational or personal problems regarding your language tandem and you are unable to solve these among yourselves, get in touch with Harm de Vries (vries.h(at)nhtv.nl) who will help you either via email, telephone or in a personal support meeting.
