Language exchange for complete beginners
You have done a few weeks of an app. You know hello, thank you and the numbers. Is a language exchange for you yet? Yes, with a little preparation. This guide covers what to learn first and what to say on the day. It also covers how to make the hour useful.
Why go early
Waiting until you are ready is a trap. Nobody feels ready. Speaking to a real person is a different skill from tapping answers on a phone. The sooner you start, the sooner it stops feeling strange. A small table with a friendly host is the easiest place to begin.
What to learn first
Before your first exchange, learn these in your target language:
- Greetings and goodbyes.
- "My name is" and "I live in".
- "I am learning" and "I am a beginner".
- "How do you say..." and "Can you repeat that?"
- "Slower, please."
- Numbers to twenty.
- Five words about your job, family or hobby.
That is a few hours of study. It is enough to join a conversation and ask for help in it.
Pick the right table
Look for a table marked "all levels". Avoid anything marked advanced. Read the listing. A good host says what to expect. Open the Meet tab to see what is on. If you are not sure, message the host in the app and ask.
Say your level straight away
When you arrive, tell the host and the group. "I am a beginner, please go slowly" in the target language is a strong opener. People adjust. They did the same once. Say whether you want corrections. Beginners usually do better with fewer corrections and more encouragement. Ask for the big mistakes only.
Getting through the first hour
- Listen a lot. Listening is practice too. Pick out the words you know.
- Say short things. One sentence is fine. Three words is fine.
- Use English for a moment when stuck, then come back.
- Point, gesture and use your hands. They count.
- Write new words in a small notebook. Use them before you leave.
- Ask questions. A question hands the talking to someone else and gives you listening time.
Read what to expect at your first table for a full run-through of the evening.
Prepare three things to say
Decide them at home. Write them down. For example: where you live, what you do, why you are learning. Practise them aloud. When the group turns to you, you have something ready. See also conversation topics for a language exchange.
One to one or a group?
Both work for beginners. A group gives you time to listen while others talk. One partner gives you more speaking time but nowhere to hide. Many beginners start with a table, then meet one person they got on with. Both are free on Nearly Fluent. Read what a language exchange is if the idea is new.
After the first one
Go again within two weeks. The second visit is easier because you know faces. Study between visits so you have new words to try. Keep going even on weeks you feel you made no progress. Progress in speaking shows up late and all at once.
Staying safe
Nearly Fluent is for adults aged 18 and over. Tables meet in public venues. Your email is never shown to other members. We show your area, never your address. Read the safety guide before a first meeting.
FAQ
### Can I join a language exchange with no knowledge at all?
Learn the basics first. Greetings, a few questions and "slower, please" take a few hours. Then go.
### Will people be annoyed by a beginner?
No. Everyone at a table was a beginner once. Tell them your level and they will slow down.
### How long before I can hold a conversation?
It varies. Going regularly matters more than any fixed number of weeks. Study between visits and go every fortnight at least.
More: how to host a table · first meet-up tips · pick a language