The Problems With ‘Tandem’ Language Learning
In Berlin, I was introduced to the idea of Tandem: “Language learning by exchange.”
Tandem at-a-glance makes sense: You want to learn German, a partner wants to learn English, so you speak 50% of the time in German and 50% in English.
‘Fair’ but a waste of time for both partners!
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Only ½ of the time is spent learning. (The other half is spent in a slow, sluggish conversation with a foreigner in your native language.)
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You need to fairly ‘split time’, but one person will always feel as if they are wasting time.
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Usually, the conversation will degrade to only the language both speakers speak best.
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It takes time/effort/planning to meet with another individual or a group. Imagine paying for a German class, trekking across town, and then the teacher doesn’t teach 50% of the time!
Seriously Better Alternatives To Tandem
Two people who both want to learn German speak German together 100% of the time.
If you’re learning both Spanish and German, Tandem with a German person who wants to learn Spanish. You can swap between German and Spanish and learn 100% of the time.
Don’t Cut Your Learning Speed In Half With Tandem!
More time speaking leads to more confidence while speaking, and conversational immersion is not grammar school, where a native ‘expert’ with a beeper is required on-premises.