Find a Chinese Language Partner To Boost your Chinese Skills
While Mandarin textbooks and videos are still great resources, to better learn Chinese, finding and practicing with a Chinese language partner can boost your learning process.
Here, we will give you places to help you find a Chinese language partner to talk, call, write, or meet with, and overall tips to make the most out of your language exchange.
How to find a Chinese speaking partner?
If you’re wondering how to find a Chinese language partner, here’s the good news: there are probably more native Chinese speakers looking for an English language partner than vice versa.
So take advantage of any language exchange. You’ll never know what sort of connection you will make.
Here are some places for finding a Chinese language partner and talking to a native speaker.
Online language exchanges platforms
These platforms are a great way for people to practice each other’s respective native languages. Many of these sites will show their native language, what language they are hoping to improve in, ways to communicate, topics and hobbies they like, etc.
Here are a few of the top language exchange platforms:
Many of these sites will filter out and connect with a language exchange partner. While all these software have various interaction features, in general, you can text, voice call, video chat, meet in person, and even penpal.
Using these platforms can help you better learn Mandarin Chinese or Cantonese by constantly reading, speaking, listening, and improving your grammar.
Universities
Many universities have a language center or an international student affairs office to help students practice and improve their targeted language.
One of the features of these language centers is connecting students with native speakers or fluent student speakers.
Another, and more expensive, feature is that many universities offer student exchange programs or study abroad for students to travel to a Chinese-speaking country and live there for some time. This feature is a great way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and meet new people in these places.
Either feature will help you and your Chinese language partner to improve each other’s language skills and other cultural knowledge.
Chinese communities
If you want to better know your local Chinese community, try to speak Chinese with them!
No matter where you live, there will always be a community for Chinese people to live or work in. With a community comes an association that will hold events for these people and others to build stronger connections.
People in these communities are generally friendly and always willing to help each other. This opportunity is a good chance to build a relationship with them, and you can always do something for them in return—whether helping them practice English or keeping them company.
How to boost your learning process with a Chinese language partner
After finding someone suitable for you, keep in mind these tips to boost your Chinese language learning process:
1. Respect the cultural differences
In Western countries, especially in the U.S., it is usually easy to tell jokes about the country, culture, or even politicians. But this isn’t common in China. Even among the Chinese younger generation, people take great pride in their country, culture, and leaders.
If you’d like to express your opinion about a China aspect, do it with respect. If not, your partner may take your jokes very seriously and even feel offended.
2. Keep things natural
In the beginning, you might feel a bit shy and can hardly talk as much as you want. This nervousness is common in the first few meetings.
However, if it continues, you could lose interest in the exchange. If possible, try to invite your Chinese language partner to do what you love to do: go for a coffee, take up a sports class, etc. Sometimes, the most effective way to learn a new language is by interacting in natural environments.
3. Expand the topics
Don’t just talk about the weather—try to discuss deeper topics such as cultural differences, travel destinations, and personal hobbies. These topics can help you and your language partner understand each other better, and both of you will be more likely to open up and be able to talk with each other like close friends.
4. Have your study materials handy
It’s a good idea to have a set of Chinese vocabulary flashcards that you’re currently studying so that you can use them in your conversation. While you can use grammar correctly, it is useless if you don’t know the words you want to say.
If you want to build up your Chinese vocabulary, try Pandanese. Pandanese is a web-based Mandarin learning software that combines mnemonics and the SRS to have you effectively learn to help you learn 6,000 Hanzi in one year.
Think of Pandanese like the Chinese WaniKani or a better Anki alternative for you to learn Chinese characters.
5. Ask your Chinese language partner to correct your mistakes
Typically, many language exchanges have both partners to be confident in their respective language they are studying. As such, both will not automatically correct mistakes since they will get the gist of what the other is trying to say.
So you may need to say and remind your language partner that you want them to correct your mistakes for language improvements.
6. Don’t be too hard on yourself
When it comes to learning a new language, mistakes will happen. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead of worrying about mispronunciation, grammar, or not knowing the exact word, view it as a learning opportunity to improve your Chinese.
Frequently asked questions
What is a language partner?
A language partner is someone who you can engage with to practice a language you are learning. It usually has a native or fluent speaker of a language you want to learn. And in return, you offer your native skills in exchange.
What are the benefits of a language partner?
Rather than learning a new grammar point or vocabulary list, language partners allow you to practice your current skills and potentially learn new language concepts. There are also other benefits such as real-life conversations, better cultural understanding, immediate feedback, and motivation.
In closing
Finding a Chinese language partner isn’t hard, as long as you know where to look and who to look for. Putting some effort into your language exchanges can help you to speak Chinese like a native. You’ll also make new friends and open up new opportunities for your future.
The easiest way to learn Chinese & build vocabulary
