Frequently Asked Questions - Language Exchange Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Language Exchange Program?
A. Participants in the Language Exchange Program are matched with a student who speaks the language you are learning for one hour of language exchange per week.
Q. What are the benefits of language exchange?
A. There are many benefits to participating in the language exchange program including, improving language skills, making new friends, learning slang/informal language, helping people, making contacts for future visits overseas and increasing your cultural knowledge and confidence.
“It is giving me more courage and confidence to speak out loud…I have learnt a lot about the Indonesian language and culture through her and hope maybe to even meet her if I take a cultural exchange program in later years.” (Level 4 Indonesian Studies Student)
“I really enjoy the program as I would not know, meet or make any Japanese acquaintances without this program pairing us together. Thank-you.” (Level 6 Japanese Studies Student)
"Not only you get to learn more about the language you also make a new friend for life!!!" (Level 6 Mandarin Studies Student)
Q. What if I am not fluent in my second language? Can I still apply for language exchange?
A. As long as you are enrolled in a Monash LOTE (language other than English) class you are eligible to apply for the program.
Q. What are the most popular languages for language exchange?
A. Our most popular languages are Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and Indonesian. There are some limited opportunities to exchange European languages (the waiting lists are long).
Q. What if I would like to practise my Spanish?
A. You can join the Monash Hispanic Community, a network of Latin American, Spanish, International and Australian students, who share their interest and love for the Spanish language and culture.
For more information and to be invited to Monash Hispanic Community events at Clayton and Caulfield campuses, please email Andres HERE or call the International Student Support Office on 9903 2689.
Q. How much time would I spend speaking English/speaking my second language?
A. We suggest that you spend 50% of the time speaking each language during your weekly one-hour session. We find that beginners tend to spend more time speaking English. As time goes on your conversational skills and confidence will begin to improve. Try and speak in your second language as much as you can and eventually you will reach the 50% mark.
Q. How can I make the most of my Language Exchange time?
A. There are many things you can do to make the most of your language exchange including preparing conversation topics in advance, getting to know your partners interests and hobbies, being reliable and having fun.
"Try and speak the foreign language as much as possible-don’t worry about making mistakes, just keep practicing and soon you will learn to see the mistakes yourself." (Level 8 Japanese Studies Student)
Q. Will there be opportunities to meet other international students who speak the language I am studying?
A. Yes, we have social events every month during semester. In 2006, we held Asian cooking days, free lunches, BBQs and trips to cultural festivals. Check your email for our monthly e-newsletter.
Q. Who will I be matched with?
A. Your partner will be an international student who speaks the language you are studying as their first language. Where possible we will match you according to your faculty, interests, availability, gender and age. Most international students at Monash University are a few years older than local high school leavers and have spent anywhere from several years to several weeks living in Australia. Although international students can have a high level of formal English, they really benefit from learning about Australian culture and developing their informal communication skills through language exchange.
“My language partner is easy-going, friendly and an interesting person." (Level 6 Japanese Studies Student)
Q. How and where can I meet my partner?
A. Once you are matched with a partner we will email your contact details to your partner and vice versa. You then contact your partner to arrange the initial meeting. We recommend that you meet on campus.
Q. What sort of things do Language Exchange Partners usually talk about?
A. There are many different conversation topics. The most popular ones are shopping, travel, culture, study, careers, hobbies, interests, family, music, books, media, news, slang, colloquialisms and expressions.
"We discuss everything, from the work that we are doing in classes to our family and personal relationships. I really enjoy talking about our impressions of people and the differences in personalities and social interactions between Japanese and Australian people." (Level 10 Japanese Studies Student)
Q. What if I there is a week that I cannot meet my partner?
A. You should let your partner know and make alternative arrangements. Some students use MSN to get in contact with their partner when they cannot meet in person.
Q. What if I am unhappy with my partner, they don’t return my phone calls or they are too busy to meet me?
A. Please contact the Language Exchange Co-ordinator on 9905 9716 and alternative arrangements can be made.
Q. How can I join the Language Exchange Program?
A. Click here to download the application form. You can also pick-up the form by visiting our office located on the Ground Floor, Building 3C. Once you complete the form you will need to hand it in at our office located in Building 3C. You will be emailed your partner's details to arrange a first meeting. We will also add your email address to the distribution list of the monthly e-newsletter which includes upcoming information on social events.
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