Language Tandems checklist

Follow the checklist below to make sure that you benefit the most from learning in a tandem:

1. Time

At the end of the first tandem meeting agree with your tandem partner on the timetable of your next tandem meetings. Please remember that to make your tandem learning work you should meet at least once a week for 45 minutes. Plan the meetings on Zoom or MS Teams for the next weeks and months to come. Thanks to the prepared timetable your meetings will be regular and it can facilitate your progress.

2. Place

Organise the tandem meeting in a quiet place, making sure that you are not interrupted. Check if your Internet access is stable and reliable.

3. Goals

Set the goals of your tandem meetings. Your goals will depend on your language level. Think also what language skills and vocabulary you would like to develop. If you are just starting your adventure with a new language, your goal can be to know basic words, expressions, dialogues, etc. But if you are a more advanced learner, your goal can be to talk about daily activities, university life, past events or to prepare for a job interview. Set 3-5 goals, write them down and think of the timeframe to achieve them. Discuss these goals with your tandem partner and modify them if necessary.

4. Topics

Choose the topics you would like to discuss with your tandem partner. Are you interested in music, film or technology? Tell your tandem partner about it to help choose the most suitable materials for your tandem meetings.  

5. Learning methods

Would you like to focus only on speaking? Perhaps you would like to get some more grammar practice or listen to a short interview and talk about it? Tell your tandem partner how you would like to learn.  

6. Correction and feedback

Would you like your tandem partner to correct all your mistakes or just give you general feedback on your most frequent mistakes? Tell your tandem partner how and when you would like to be corrected. It a good idea to make notes of your partner’s mistakes and then talk about them when the task is completed. Interrupting your partner to correct mistakes can be discouraging and distractive.