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Tandem language learning is an approach to language acquisition that involves reciprocal language exchange between tandem partners. In this method, each learner ideally serves as a native speaker of the language the other person intends to learn. Tandem language learning deviates from traditional pedagogical practices by eliminating the teacher-student model. Numerous language schools worldwide, including those affiliated with TANDEM International, [1] as well as several universities, incorporate this approach into their language programs.
Tandem language learning encompasses various methods of instruction. The most prevalent form involves face-to-face meetings between participants (referred to as face-to-face tandem). With the advent of communication technology in the 1990s, etandem (also known as distance tandem) emerged, facilitating language practice through email correspondence and written communication. Tele-collaboration emphasizes cultural integration and intercultural understanding as integral components of language learning. Tandem exchanges are characterized by reciprocal autonomy, [2] with participants engaging in mutual language learning. Time is equally divided to ensure a fair distribution of language exchange. [2] For instance, a Portuguese speaker and a German speaker may converse in German for half an hour and then switch to Portuguese for the remaining half an hour. Through partnerships with native speakers and exposure to social and cultural experiences, participants become fully immersed in the target language and culture. Learning is supported through various means, such as worksheets, textbooks, or informal conversations. The tandem method serves different purposes, including self-directed tandem partnerships (involving two individuals supported by counselors) and binational tandem courses (designed for groups and facilitated by moderators). The prerequisite for participating in self-directed Tandem is a lower intermediate level of language proficiency (lower B1 threshold). The can-do statements outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) [3] provide a clear description of language ability at the B1 threshold [4] in several European languages.
The concept of "language learning by exchange" or the "tandem approach" encompasses various teaching systems for exchange students abroad, including partner learning, peer teaching, tutoring models, and "Zweierschaften" (Steinig) or 'one-on-one discipleship'. [5]
Here are some key points: [6] [7]
In the early 19th century, Joseph Lancaster and Andrew Bell introduced the "mutual system" in England, which involved students assisting each other in school, complementing the teacher's role. Peter Petersen, a German educationalist, developed a similar approach in the "Jenaplan schools," and tutoring models inspired by this concept emerged in the USA from the 1960s onwards.
The "tandem" concept, where two individuals learn the same language together, first appeared in 1971 in connection with Wambach's "audio-visual method." It was later applied to binational German-French youth meetings. [8]
Klaus Lieb-Harkort and Nükhet Cimilli introduced this model in their work with immigrants in the German-Turkish area of Munich. Similar courses were subsequently offered in Bremen, Frankfurt, and Zürich.
In 1979, Jürgen Wolff developed the tandem learning partner mediation for Spanish and German. This course program, along with one developed by Wolff and colleagues in Madrid, formed the foundation of the TANDEM network, which later became the TANDEM schools network. [9]
Since 1983, the TANDEM model has been adopted as an alternative language learning method, with elements of language courses abroad, youth exchange programs, cultural tours, class correspondence, and other cross-border activities replicated in selective schools across Europe.
The TANDEM network collaborates with various educational institutions, including the E-Tandem Network, [10] which was founded in 1992 and later renamed the International E-Mail Tandem Network in 1993.
TANDEM Fundazioa, [11] headquartered in Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain, was established in 1994 to promote scientific cooperation, education, and advanced training.
In 2016, Tripod Technology GmbH obtained a license from TANDEM Fundazioa to create the Tandem app. [12]
The majority of schools affiliated with the TANDEM Network formed the association 'TANDEM International," [1] with its headquarters in Bremen, Germany. Since March 2014, TANDEM International has owned the 'TANDEM' brand.
Initially, there was a significant focus on the effectiveness of tandem language learning compared to traditional teaching methods. To investigate this, a study was conducted in 1983 at the Madrid Goethe-Institute. Tandem pairs, a tandem course, and teacher-guided phases were interconnected, and the linguistic progress of the participants was compared to that of a control group who were also preparing for the 'Zertifikat DaF." The results indicated that the tandem participants demonstrated better listening comprehension and speaking skills, although they were less successful in reading and writing. Overall, their performance in the certification was on par with the control group. Another benefit observed was the mutual correction of mistakes, which was facilitated by increased exposure to the language.[ citation needed ]
Tandem language learning encompasses not only language comprehension and learning but also cultural understanding and knowledge. Consequently, when analyzing the competence component, it is essential to consider this aspect as well. Tandem learning facilitates a change in perspective by allowing participants to compare their own viewpoints with those of others. Through its natural exposure to the native speaker's culture, Tandem provides a relaxed and inviting environment for engagement. The autonomous nature of language exchange enables participants to experience different worldviews, fostering attitudes of respect, openness, curiosity, and discovery. This aspect is particularly beneficial in translator training. Additionally, native speakers also report an increased awareness of their own language throughout the tandem process, making it a valuable confidence booster in learning contexts.[ citation needed ]
The Cormier method, developed by Helene Cormier, a language teacher at the Club d'échange linguistique de Montréal (CELM), is an instructional approach that promotes in-tandem learning among small groups of learners with different native languages. [13] The method focuses on engaging participants in conversations aimed at strengthening listening, comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation skills.
During the language exchange, participants have the opportunity to interact with native speakers through text, voice, and video chat. Each session typically lasts around one hour, with participants speaking in one language for thirty minutes and then switching to the other language for the remaining thirty minutes. This experience allows learners to gain insights into their peers' cultures while using the target language appropriately.
To conduct effective sessions using the Cormier method, the following recommendations should be considered: [14]
Advantages of the Cormier method include the opportunity for focused practice in small groups, pre-designed lesson plans and engaging activities to enhance motivation, real-time communication with native speakers, and the ability to access sessions from anywhere with an internet connection. A virtual timer helps manage and allocate practice time for each participant.
However, there are some disadvantages to consider. The method is more suitable for intermediate and advanced learners, as native speakers without teaching backgrounds may struggle to assist beginners. Additionally, participants from different educational backgrounds and levels of knowledge may encounter communication challenges in communication. Accessibility can also be an issue in certain countries.
It's important to note that while the Cormier method is beneficial for practice, it should not be relied upon as the sole source of language learning. Instead, it should be seen as a supplementary tool to help learners improve their language skills.
The Cormier method has demonstrated success, particularly when utilizing tools like Skype. Implementing this method is relatively straightforward, although the discussed drawbacks should be taken into account. As new technologies continue to emerge, different and improved approaches to tandem learning may further enhance its effectiveness. Alternative digital tools such as Google Hangouts, Viber, ooVoo, WeChat, and others can broaden access and provide additional opportunities for e-tandem learning and telecollaboration, leading to continued growth and advancement in language learning.
Tandem language learning is a concept that offers potential linguistic and cultural advantages. It allows students of different nationalities to learn from each other without any financial cost. However, there are several factors that can hinder its effectiveness. [15]
One reason is the limited availability of foreign students interested in studying minority languages, such as Polish or Maltese. Even if speakers of minority languages are interested in learning more widely spoken languages like English or German, they may struggle to find tandem partners who share their interest. Minority languages often have limited demand in the global market for foreign languages. [15]
Another challenge is the expertise of participants, which can be influenced by two factors. First, native speakers may lack sufficient knowledge to effectively teach their own language. Second, students themselves may face difficulties in designing meaningful learning experiences due to a lack of methodological and pedagogical skills. [15] Error correction during tandem programs [16] can also disrupt the flow of conversation and create anxieties for novice learners, impacting their fluency and confidence in the foreign language. [17]
The design of tasks and integration of online language interaction within the learning process and curriculum can significantly impact the effectiveness of tandem language learning. Poorly designed tasks and a lack of pedagogical leadership can diminish the value of the approach for both students and teachers. [18]
Technology also poses challenges. Certain conferencing technologies, like Skype, may result in miscommunication due to non-alignment of visual input and output. Students may appear socially absent or interrupt the usual process of indicating social presence, affecting communication. Misusing technology can lead to exclusion from the conversation.
Cultural issues can arise during tandem programs when comparing cultures. Students may express subjective opinions and reinforce intercultural stereotypes, creating a hostile discourse and disrupting the flow of conversations. Without teacher interventions, tele-tandem interactions may become shallow performances that rely on preconceived representations of oneself and others. [19] Preconceptions about the other learner's culture can also impact proactive attitudes and participation levels in the exchange. [18]
Addressing these challenges requires careful consideration and pedagogical support to ensure that tandem language learning maximizes its potential benefits while minimizing potential drawbacks.
A second language (L2) is a language spoken in addition to one's first language (L1). A second language may be a neighbouring language, another language of the speaker's home country, or a foreign language. A speaker's dominant language, which is the language a speaker uses most or is most comfortable with, is not necessarily the speaker's first language. For example, the Canadian census defines first language for its purposes as "the first language learned in childhood and still spoken", recognizing that for some, the earliest language may be lost, a process known as language attrition. This can happen when young children start school or move to a new language environment.
Language education – the process and practice of teaching a second or foreign language – is primarily a branch of applied linguistics, but can be an interdisciplinary field. There are four main learning categories for language education: communicative competencies, proficiencies, cross-cultural experiences, and multiple literacies.
A vocabulary is a set of words, typically the set in a language or the set known to an individual. The word vocabulary originated from the Latin vocabulum, meaning "a word, name". It forms an essential component of language and communication, helping convey thoughts, ideas, emotions, and information. Vocabulary can be oral, written, or signed and can be categorized into two main types: active vocabulary and passive vocabulary. An individual's vocabulary continually evolves through various methods, including direct instruction, independent reading, and natural language exposure, but it can also shrink due to forgetting, trauma, or disease. Furthermore, vocabulary is a significant focus of study across various disciplines, like linguistics, education, psychology, and artificial intelligence. Vocabulary is not limited to single words; it also encompasses multi-word units known as collocations, idioms, and other types of phraseology. Acquiring an adequate vocabulary is one of the largest challenges in learning a second language.
English as a second or foreign language refers to the use of English by individuals whose native language is different, commonly among students learning to speak and write English. Variably known as English as a foreign language (EFL), English as a second language (ESL), English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English as a new language (ENL), these terms denote the study of English in environments where it is not the dominant language. Programs such as ESL are designed as academic courses to instruct non-native speakers in English proficiency, encompassing both learning in English-speaking nations and abroad.
Pedagogy, most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political, and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken as an academic discipline, is the study of how knowledge and skills are imparted in an educational context, and it considers the interactions that take place during learning. Both the theory and practice of pedagogy vary greatly as they reflect different social, political, and cultural contexts.
Communicative language teaching (CLT), or the communicative approach (CA), is an approach to language teaching that emphasizes interaction as both the means and the ultimate goal of study.
Language proficiency is the ability of an individual to use language with a level of accuracy which transfers meaning in production and comprehension.
The input hypothesis, also known as the monitor model, is a group of five hypotheses of second-language acquisition developed by the linguist Stephen Krashen in the 1970s and 1980s. Krashen originally formulated the input hypothesis as just one of the five hypotheses, but over time the term has come to refer to the five hypotheses as a group. The hypotheses are the input hypothesis, the acquisition–learning hypothesis, the monitor hypothesis, the natural order hypothesis and the affective filter hypothesis. The input hypothesis was first published in 1977.
Language exchange is a method of language learning based on mutual language practicing by learning partners who are speakers of different languages. This is usually done by two native speakers teaching each other their native language. Language exchange is different from other Language learning methods as there is usually no set syllabus or activities. Language exchange is sometimes called Tandem language learning.
Dogme language teaching is considered to be both a methodology and a movement. Dogme is a communicative approach to language teaching that encourages teaching without published textbooks and focuses instead on conversational communication among learners and teacher. It has its roots in an article by the language education author, Scott Thornbury. The Dogme approach is also referred to as "Dogme ELT", which reflects its origins in the ELT sector. Although Dogme language teaching gained its name from an analogy with the Dogme 95 film movement in which the directors, actors, and actresses commit a "vow of chastity" to minimize their reliance on special effects that may create unauthentic feelings from the viewers, the connection is not considered close.
Intercultural communicative competence in computer-supported collaborative learning is a form of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL), applied to intercultural communicative competence (ICC).
A dialogue journal is an ongoing written interaction between two people to exchange experiences, ideas, knowledge or reflections. It is used most often in education as a means of sustained written interaction between students and teachers at all education levels. It can be used to promote second language learning and learning in all areas.
Language pedagogy is the discipline concerned with the theories and techniques of teaching language. It has been described as a type of teaching wherein the teacher draws from their own prior knowledge and actual experience in teaching language. The approach is distinguished from research-based methodologies.
Second-language acquisition classroom research is an area of research in second-language acquisition concerned with how people learn languages in educational settings. There is a significant overlap between classroom research and language education. Classroom research is empirical, basing its findings on data and statistics wherever possible. It is also more concerned with what the learners do in the classroom than with what the teacher does. Where language teaching methods may only concentrate on the activities the teacher plans for the class, classroom research concentrates on the effect the things the teacher does has on the students.
Social media language learning is a method of language acquisition that uses socially constructed Web 2.0 platforms such as wikis, blogs, and social networks to facilitate learning of the target language. Social media is used by language educators and individual learners that wish to communicate in the target language in a natural environment that allows multimodal communication, ease of sharing, and possibilities for feedback from peers and educators.
Wilga Marie Rivers was an Australian linguist and Professor of Romance Languages. While she taught at both the secondary-education and college level throughout her life, she spent the majority of her career on the faculty of Harvard University. There, she served as a Professor of Romance Languages and Coordinator of Language Instruction in Romance Languages, fulfilling these roles until her eventual retirement in 1989.
Translanguaging is a term that can refer to different aspects of multilingualism. It can describe the way bilinguals and multilinguals use their linguistic resources to make sense of and interact with the world around them. It can also refer to a pedagogical approach that utilizes more than one language within a classroom lesson. The term "translanguaging" was coined in the 1980s by Cen Williams in his unpublished thesis titled “An Evaluation of Teaching and Learning Methods in the Context of Bilingual Secondary Education.” Williams used the term to describe the practice of using two languages in the same lesson, which differed from many previous methods of bilingual education that tried to separate languages by class, time, or day. In addition, Vogel and Garcia argued that translanguaging theory posits that rather than possessing two or more autonomous language systems, as previously thought when scholars described bilingual or multilingual speakers, bilinguals and multilingual speakers select and deploy their languages from a unitary linguistic repertoire. However, the dissemination of the term, and of the related concept, gained traction decades later due in part to published research by Ofelia García, among others. In this context, translanguaging is an extension of the concept of languaging, the discursive practices of language speakers, but with the additional feature of using multiple languages, often simultaneously. It is a dynamic process in which multilingual speakers navigate complex social and cognitive demands through strategic employment of multiple languages.
Online learning involves courses offered by primary institutions that are 100% virtual. Online learning, or virtual classes offered over the internet, is contrasted with traditional courses taken in a brick-and-mortar school building. It is a development in distance education that expanded in the 1990s with the spread of the commercial Internet and the World Wide Web. The learner experience is typically asynchronous but may also incorporate synchronous elements. The vast majority of institutions utilize a learning management system for the administration of online courses. As theories of distance education evolve, digital technologies to support learning and pedagogy continue to transform as well.
Virtual exchange is an instructional approach or practice for language learning. It broadly refers to the "notion of 'connecting' language learners in pedagogically structured interaction and collaboration" through computer-mediated communication for the purpose of improving their language skills, intercultural communicative competence, and digital literacies. Although it proliferated with the advance of the internet and Web 2.0 technologies in the 1990s, its roots can be traced to learning networks pioneered by Célestin Freinet in 1920s and, according to Dooly, even earlier in Jardine's work with collaborative writing at the University of Glasgow at the end of the 17th to the early 18th century.
Tandem is a language exchange app on iOS and Android that connects language learners with native speakers. Members can search for language exchange partners to talk to by either text or voice chat. As of October 2023, the app supports more than 300 languages, including 20 sign languages, 20 indigenous languages and six fictional ones, such as Mandalorian or Klingon.