If you think a language exchange takes months to arrange, think again. Susan Lavender was able to arrange one through Lingoo in just three weeks.
Susan’s 14-year old daughter Vicki is enthusiastic about learning French. So enthusiastic, she is planning to sit her GCSE French exams (the national qualification from secondary schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) a year early. To help boost Vicki’s French skills for the exam, her mum Susan searched online for a language exchange program. So she joined Lingoo. But the challenge lay in finding someone available outside the school summer holidays in July and August as Vicki already had plans for the summer. “We wanted a child the same age or older with their own room, and in France,” says Susan.
The search went well. She found a family on the north coast of France with a 14-year old girl looking for an exchange to the UK. Susan and her family, on the south coast of England, were therefore geographically very close. “It meant we could arrange a short visit of just six nights in May. And their daughter will be coming to stay with us in October,” says Susan. Susan used Lingoo’s secure messaging service to discuss her plans with the French girl’s parents. The two girls then used instant messaging to get to know each other before the exchange.
It was also possible at short notice for the French family to arrange a valuable opportunity for Vicki: she could attend a French school for three days. “I really recommend that,” says Susan. She adds, “Vicki lost confidence at first. She found English levels at the French school were very high and at first she felt she couldn’t understand much French. But as she tried, she says she was surprised how much she could actually grasp.” Vicki went from strength to strength from then on. “Vicki says the school visit was the best part. She has gained confidence. And in just six days, although it’s not long enough to learn much new language, she has activated the language she already had and wants to learn more,” says Susan, adding, “It was fantastic for her and she had a really great time.” The girls have now formed a great relationship. To help boost each other’s written language skills, they have started writing to each other regularly. Her French friend corresponds in English and Vicki replies in French.
Now, the Lavenders are making long-term plans. "This is hopefully going to be a regular exchange for the girls. Once Vicki reaches 16, she and her new French friend will be allowed to pop on the ferry to stay with each other for weekends,” says Susan. The plan is to build on this positive start. The girls will continue learning languages at school, practising writing to each other and will consider talking on Skype.
Susan says, “It’s been a special experience that has sparked her enthusiasm for French.” They now plan to do the same for Vicki’s new friend when she stays in their home in October.