Page 50 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 50
50
iStudy
2019/20
There is a huge selection of apps offering lessons in
everything from French to Klingon, but there are other
really simple ways to use technology to enhance your
communication abilities. The quickest is to switch your
phone into your target language. Checking Twitter and
replying to messages might take a little longer, but it’ll
force you into using the language on a regular basis.
It might even help your grammar as apps often use
structures like the imperative, which can be difficult to
remember. The best part is that it’s completely free and
can easily be changed back!
Tip: This is less of a tip and more of an additional perk
– I’ve caught so many friends in the middle of trying
to change my music or snoop through photos who
were completely stumped by the fact that my phone
is in German, so it does have multiple positives!
TECHNOLOGY
Tandem partners are a great way to develop
your own knowledge whilst helping somebody else
at the same time. Typically, both people will have an
interest in learning each other’s native languages,
and the time spent communicating in each is split
50/50. Some universities have notice boards advertising
tandem partners, but I found that Facebook groups
were the best way to find people to chat to. Having
tandem partners can also be a great way to connect
with locals, which I really can’t advocate enough as one
of my best friends started off as a tandem partner!
Tip: Establish how practising will work; you can switch
language halfway through, or you could alternate
every time you meet. It might sound a little formal,
but planning how it will work at the beginning will
mean that you both get what you want out of the
practice.
TANDEM PARTNERS
iStudy
2019/20
There is a huge selection of apps offering lessons in
everything from French to Klingon, but there are other
really simple ways to use technology to enhance your
communication abilities. The quickest is to switch your
phone into your target language. Checking Twitter and
replying to messages might take a little longer, but it’ll
force you into using the language on a regular basis.
It might even help your grammar as apps often use
structures like the imperative, which can be difficult to
remember. The best part is that it’s completely free and
can easily be changed back!
Tip: This is less of a tip and more of an additional perk
– I’ve caught so many friends in the middle of trying
to change my music or snoop through photos who
were completely stumped by the fact that my phone
is in German, so it does have multiple positives!
TECHNOLOGY
Tandem partners are a great way to develop
your own knowledge whilst helping somebody else
at the same time. Typically, both people will have an
interest in learning each other’s native languages,
and the time spent communicating in each is split
50/50. Some universities have notice boards advertising
tandem partners, but I found that Facebook groups
were the best way to find people to chat to. Having
tandem partners can also be a great way to connect
with locals, which I really can’t advocate enough as one
of my best friends started off as a tandem partner!
Tip: Establish how practising will work; you can switch
language halfway through, or you could alternate
every time you meet. It might sound a little formal,
but planning how it will work at the beginning will
mean that you both get what you want out of the
practice.
TANDEM PARTNERS
