4/6/23, 1:16 AM How to Find the Perfect French Language Exchange Partner | FluentU French

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By STEPHODEA
Last updated: JULY 30, 2022

How to Find the Perfect French

Language Exchange Partner
Can you have a worthwhile French language conversation while panicking over
conjugations?

Can you express yourself well enough to make French friends when you only
know 6 basic verbs?

We’ve all been there.

All French language learners, from beginners to advanced students,

can gain something from conversing in French.

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I was prepared to sacrifice

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language dialogue, without having to constantly stop and mentally prepare
my next sentences. Don’t youGET 14-DAY
wish FREE TRIAL
you could just speak French like a local and
naturally pick up the latest slang?

Finding a French language partner can really help your conversational French
go from stilted sentences to full-blown debates in record time. Thanks to
modern technology, it has never been easier to find a fellow language
learner. Even so, many language learners have a hard time getting started.
They hem and haw, afraid to embarrass themselves or make themselves
vulnerable to strangers on the internet.

Beginners have the hardest time dealing with this frustration. A French
conversation sounds lovely, but you’re just trying to absorb some common
expressions and figure out which French language learning methods work the
best. Intermediate to advanced learners may be more psyched to start
chatting after months or years of reading French novels, studying the
particulars of French grammar and preparing themselves for life in France.
However,  the idea of really putting to those skills to the test in front of an
attentive native speaker can be quite intimidating.

Here I share my top tips for finding a French language partner, getting the
most out of the experience and avoiding the potential pitfalls of conversation
exchange.

First things first…

Where Can I Find a French Language

Partner?
Online bien sûr! The internet is an incredible resource for language learners,
and finding the perfect language partner is no exception.

Online Language Exchange Options

My Language Exchange

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A user-friendly website complete

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plans – a great conversation starter if you’re struggling for things to say!
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Conversation Exchange

This website’s simple interface allows city-specific searches to find a local

conversation partner.

InterPals

A more modern interface with a much broader scope. City-specific searches are
not available but you do have a “keyword” function which can help you find
local Exchangers!

Create a profile with your language levels and goals, conduct a simple search et
voilà! Hundreds of potential French language partners are just a few
keystrokes and mouse clicks away. One word of advice on your language
exchange profile: be specific. How often do you want to meet? What are you
hoping to achieve? What level of language partner are you looking for? All of
this will help users gauge whether or not they are a suitable candidate for you.

Real Life Language Exchange Options

Friends of Friends 

Friends may be an obvious resource for finding a language partner, but in

reality you are much more likely to slip back into English or be too shy to try
out your brand new vocab with a friend. Instead, ask your nearest and dearest
to suggest French friends who may be in need of a language partner. This has
the double benefit of ensuring that tip #10 (introduced later) is less pertinent.

Once you have found your language exchange partner, get straight to chatting!
Does your written French need some work? Start an email exchange, or write
old-school letters and revive the art of postal exchange. Want to master your
conversational skills? Make the most of the 21st century and organize Skype,
Facetime or Viber Chats online. Keen to meet native French speakers in your

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area? Take the plunge and meet your language partner face to face. Whatever
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your preference, bear in mind the following top tips for getting the most from
your exchange. GET 14-DAY FREE TRIAL

10 Essential Tips for Stress-Free French

Language Exchange

1. Set ground rules.

Set a stop-watch on your phone and agree an interval for each language, e.g.
twenty minutes in French, followed by twenty in English. Stick to it ruthlessly
to avoid favoring one language over another and to ensure you’re both using
your time to improve.

2. Don’t panic.
Language exchange can be very daunting at first, especially when your French
skills are still at a basic level. Don’t give up. While en route to your meeting
place, or before your Skype exchange, think of some simple questions you’d
like to ask. Work on these questions and various answers with your partner.

3. Keep a notebook.
This tip comes with a strict proviso: don’t spend your time writing down every
new word and phrase. You are there to converse, not take meeting minutes. For
learning specific vocabulary, a notebook can be helpful as a reminder.

4. Identify your French skill level.

If you are a total beginner and opt for an almost bilingual partner, you are
likely to become embarrassed easily and apologetically revert back to English.
Find a partner whose English is at a similar level to your French. Prepare
yourself for elaborate sign-language. You will learn much faster without having
your native language as a crutch.

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Aprilabout
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variations.
While French has relatively fewGETstrong
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it is worth remembering that
regional differences in speech do still exist, and Canadian French in particular
is very different to that spoken in Paris. This in itself can be a great topic for
discussion – ask your language partner to explain the differences you might
come across in slang, accent or vocabulary. Do they struggle with accents in
English? Reciprocate by teaching them all about the regional variations of the
English language.

6. Brainstorm topics in advance.

If you’re nervous about maintaining the conversation, jot down some topics
that will help kick-start a debate. The latest French news articles are a great
(and fairly natural) resource. Choose news stories that interest you and simply
start with “Did you hear about…..”

Additionally, you can refer to FluentU for ideas. The FluentU program has
many authentic videos in French like movie and TV show clips, news segments,
inspirational talks and more. By watching these native French videos, you can
learn more about pop culture, current events and other topics that are relevant
to native speakers. This ensures that you never run out of things to talk about
with your language partner.

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You can also use FluentU to gather the vocabulary that you’ll need to know in
order to talk about these topics. You can click on any word in the subtitles to

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see a definition, example sentences and other videos where it shows up in with
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the same definitions (since FluentU’s video dictionary is contextual). You can
also add these words to a flashcard deck FREE
GET 14-DAY and review
TRIAL them with personalized
quizzes.

You can make a flashcard deck for a specific topic, like a movie you watched
recently or an event that you watched a news clip about. Then, study them
before your meeting. FluentU even has speaking questions on the iOS and
Android app, so you can practice speaking the words out loud.

7. Do your homework.

Between conversation exchanges, note key vocabulary, phrases or exchanges

that you don’t quite understand to make up some great starting points for your
next conversation session. Take advantage of your language exchange time to
ask questions about challenging language obstacles – but ask your questions
and listen to the answers in French, not English!

8. Become friends while maintaining your goals.

Finding a great conversation partner usually means you are compatible friends,
but a growing friendship can let language practice fall by the wayside in favor
of the latest gossip and personal life updates. Converse about whatever topic
you want, but be sure that you stick to your practice languages. For half of the
meeting speak in English, and for the other half speak in French.

9. Beware of the blind date in disguise.

Some free websites are fantastic resources for finding a conversation partner,
but you may find that on posting a short profile about your goals you are
inundated with keen language partners of the opposite sex. Be sensible. Search
for a partner and initiate contact yourself, or exchange a few messages
beforehand. Most language exchange websites have a built-in messaging tool,
so there’s no need to give out any personal contact information.

And, of course, with whoever you choose to meet….

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April
10. Be Sale! Get 40% off + 10 languages + 14 Day Free Trial
safe.
GET 14-DAY
Conversation exchanges are excellent FREE TRIAL
language learning opportunities, but
don’t be foolish about meeting strangers. What would your mother have to say
about that? Let a friend, roommate or family member know who you are
meeting for language exchange, where you are meeting them and at what time.
Meet in a café or other bustling public place. If at any point you feel
uncomfortable, don’t think twice about making your excuses and taking your
leave. If you’re not sure about real-life exchanges, Skype and other video chat
services are a great tool for international conversations.

Feeling inspired? That’s what I like to hear! Everyone loves a little free
learning, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can improve once you find
your ideal language exchange partner, so what are you waiting for?

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