Language Learning in Tandem

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[Bibliography] [International E-Mail Tandem Network]
[Database with face-to-face tandem activities]

Learning in tandem is a form of open learning, where people with different native languages work together in pairs in order

- to learn each other's language.
- to learn more about their partner and his culture.
- to exchange knowledge - e.g. about their professions.

Previous experience with tandem learning

- in bi-cultural tandem intensive courses,
- between learners with different native languages at the same university, as well as
- through the Internet with partners in different countries

has proved extremely positive.

Tandem learning is joint and autonomous intercultural learning.

There are two important principles:

Each partner has to benefit equally from working together, at least subjectively (principle of reciprocity or mutual benefit). The same amount of time has to be spent on each language, both partners have to support each other equally, etc.
Each person is responsible for their own learning process and therefore establishes their own learning objectives and methods (principle of learner autonomy). Objectives and methods are rarely the same for both partners.
Each partner is available as an expert in their language and culture: they can read out loud, if desired, elaborate on a topic picked out by the partner, correct mistakes, make suggestions for improvement, etc. They are not usually trained to teach: neither learning objectives, methods and evaluation can be expected of them, nor the systematic preparation of learning material (grammar, etc.).
Tandem learning requires and promotes the ability to learn a language autonomously.

Language learning in tandem is easily adapted to a wide variety of language learning contexts: tandems between students with different native languages at a university, between exchange students and native students at a school, between English-speaking tourists in Spain and Spanish learners of English, between German teachers of French and French teachers of German – these are just a few examples. In tandem courses (usually intensive courses), the tandem work is combined with other course components.

Face-to-face tandem exercises, along with other didactic aids supporting tandem work for learners and teachers, are published in the Tandem Database.

Tandem partners generally sit across from each other and communicate orally (face-to-face tandem). Since 1992 - 1994, however, the International E-Mail Tandem Network has begun to organise tandem á distance work in a written capacity using e-mail and other Internet resources like MOOs and to promote the development of new didactic aids for learners, foreign language teachers and network co-ordinators.

Tandem at other institutions

Language learning in tandem has been organised at many institutions in various countries. Information can be found, for example, at the following WWW servers:

The Institute for German Language at the University of Freiburg/Fribourg (Switzerland) with UNI-TANDEM (one of the oldest university tandem agencies, which now, among other things, offers a guide to tandem work).
The TANDEM® - Network (TANDEM® Fundazioa), through which many private language schools have come together, one of which being TANDEM-Madrid, where the first tandem pairs outside of courses were created at the beginning of the 1980s.
The Modern Languages Teaching Center (MLTC) at the University of Sheffield with face-to-face tandem and tandem á distance.