Language Exchanges
Has anyone in this community ever had an (in-person, not penpal) language exchange partner?
If so, what was your experience like and do you have any tips?
I'm currently living in Korea, and this is my third year here. Since I've been here so long, I've started to study the local language more seriously. I began just a few months ago and my level is very low. My goal is basically to be conversational.
I take a weekly free class but am starting to meet partners to help me practice.
The big problem I have is that Koreans, on average, have been studying my language for years on end obsessively, while I'm only a beginner in their language. It makes it much easier them to push English. (Related note, this past weekend I went to a "language exchange" meeting, only to find everyone, including other expats, only speaking English.) So, I feel like I have to be careful to make sure they're not the only ones benefiting from the "exchange." Anyone ever been in this situation?
If so, what was your experience like and do you have any tips?
I'm currently living in Korea, and this is my third year here. Since I've been here so long, I've started to study the local language more seriously. I began just a few months ago and my level is very low. My goal is basically to be conversational.
I take a weekly free class but am starting to meet partners to help me practice.
The big problem I have is that Koreans, on average, have been studying my language for years on end obsessively, while I'm only a beginner in their language. It makes it much easier them to push English. (Related note, this past weekend I went to a "language exchange" meeting, only to find everyone, including other expats, only speaking English.) So, I feel like I have to be careful to make sure they're not the only ones benefiting from the "exchange." Anyone ever been in this situation?