What challenge inspired this recipe?
Nowadays, the OLS tool is the main toll for the volunteers to learn a new language, However, as the tool was recently renewed, it does not yet work perfectly especially with languages that are less common. Therefore, new and affordable ways for language learning are needed for the volunteers to support them as they are trying to learn a new language.
Hence, it would be beneficial to connect local volunteers for a tandem language exchange. Both can help each other to learn the language and also at the same time learn the culture and practice of one another.
This kind of tandem partnership will help the volunteer to integrate into the new country easier, get mental support and also help with the language barriers in daily life.
Ingredients :
An online platform for people to connect with each other or there needs to be a coordinator to process and manage the whole process of recruiting and choosing people.
Step by step guide
First it is needed to make a tandem project call, to attract local people to join in the language exchange. They can be highschool students, university students (it would be helpful if we got to connect with schools or universities for this) or any volunteers that want to connect with foreign volunteers and are willing to teach their language and learn a new one. Moreover, if the organization works as a sending organization, previous outgoing volunteers who have already returned from their projects could be a good resource to consider.
After finding local people interested in this activity, we need to manage the pairs based on their preferred language choice and schedule for the meetings to learn each other’s language.
Important to highlight!This is a good practice to help volunteers integrate into a new country, learn the local language and also promote intercultural exchanges. |
Before you start cooking, keep in mind…
There needs to be a coordinator for such activity and it may take quite some time and resources at first to get it in place. Lots of trial and error may happen to find the right people. In some places there also may be less people interested in taking part in this kind of activity.
