For a child that is undertaking to learn a new language, the option to immerse themselves in that language, in a context in which it is spoken natively, is an important part of the learning process. A language exchange organised between two families from different countries, facilitated by the Lingoo network, which provides this opportunity, is a powerful language development tool. A language exchange allows children to reinforce their classroom learning and to adapt to cultural and slang based variances, because of the nature of learning a language and practising it with native speakers; book learning can provide a basic grasp, but speaking with native speakers, in real life situations, is where the real learning happens. The experience often leads to the cultivation of long term friendships, and these can lead to further opportunities to practise each language. This need for immersion is highlighted in an article in the Guardian newspaper, which explores the reasons that, in some countries, young children do not just spend time learning a language, they are taught some of their other subjects through the language they are learning.
Barriers to the Traditional Language Exchange
Traditionally, the arrangement of language exchanges was facilitated by the child’s school and students would be randomly matched with a child. The school would then travel as a group to the host school for a period and then reciprocate shortly after returning home. This could be very hit and miss for the child, giving little concern as to whether the child they are partnered with would be a match. Now there is also the issue of finding an exchange, these exchanges are currently on the decline as the pressures of teaching reduce the number of school volunteers to facilitate the trip. With schools now teaching a larger pool of languages, there is also the challenge of finding enough students to make an exchange viable. Traditionally, German and French were taught almost exclusively. Now Italian, Spanish and Mandarin are increasing in popularity in schools, making it harder to prioritise which language to offer an exchange for.
How Lingoo Makes Language Exchanges Easy
This has led to a surge in demand for Lingoo facilitated language exchanges. Our unique system allows parents to search our database and find the right potential family with whom to organise an exchange. Families are able to use our secure messaging facility to make a connection, and to make arrangements that suit both family’s needs and schedules. This means that the language, destination, and duration of the trip is back in your hands as a parent. The language exchange between children of two families with different cultures and ways of life remains an important part of the language learning process for children.