"Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift.
Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language." – Frank Smith
Why practicing languages with native speakers matters
The more you practice in a real conversation, the more comfortable you become with speaking your target language. When you start interacting with native speakers more often, your brain starts associating ideas directly with words in that language. This helps a lot to stop translating in your head and enables you to express yourself more freely in your target language. Besides, native speakers use language in a way it is actually spoken. This is something you can’t really learn with a textbook. Plus, by mimicking native pronunciation, your own speaking abilities improve and become more natural. Not to mention that interacting with natives can also bring you closer to different cultures. That’s why practicing languages with natives is a excellent way to improve your speaking abilities.
Overcomming common fears
Many of us are afraid of messing up and sounding stupid while speaking another language. We have a fear of forgetting words, not understanding the other person and being judged by others. In reality, nobody is judging us. You need to realize that you are in a safe space when you speak your target language. Remember that the goal is to communicate, not to sound perfect. Accents are normal and everyone has them. Making mistakes is a crucial part of the language learning process and should be embraced. Mistakes lead to growth, making it easier to learn and remember words. Don’t worry, your pronunciation and speaking abilities will improve naturally over time. If you are nervous, you can practice speaking by yourself before joining a community:)
Where to find native speakers online
Firstly, you can find native speakers on langauge exchange apps. These are some examples: HelloTalk, Speakly, Tandem. You can also check out an app called Slowly, where you can exchange “letters” with people from different parts of the world. It can lead to having deeper connections with strangers and maybe even creating new friendships. Moreover, there are a few tutoring platforms worth recommending, such as italki or Preply. This is a paid option, but probably one of the most effective and structured ways of practicing languages. There are also many online communities such as Reddit, Discord or Facebook groups. Apart from that, you can search for some online gaming/writing/polyglots clubs in your target language (e.g. on Meetup.com), based on your interests.
Where to find native speakers offline
There are lots of language meetups & exchange events around the world, especially in bigger cities. I heard Buenos Aires is a paradise for polyglots, with language events happening every day! However, if you search online, I guarantee you will find something in your neighborhood as well. You can try to find a language exchange on Meetup.com or search for events at local universities, community centers, cultural institutes etc. Many cafes and bars also host weekly or monthly language meetups. Maybe your local bookshop offers bilingual bookclubs? If not, perhaps you could start hosting language exchanges yourself? And if you live abroad, think about joining hobby groups in your target language, such as dance classes, cooking workshops or yoga. The possibilities are endless:)
Bonus: language meetups in Poland
When it comes to language exchanges in Poland, there are so many! I can highly recommend Pausa Caffè for Roman languages at Lisbon Cafe in Warsaw and Tandem language exchanges at Layla Lounge Bar in Kraków (they are basically every evening). You can message me for details. I can also recommend you Manchester Swedish Language Meetup Group and Online Language Evening "Gelsenkirchen and worldwide" on Meetup.com. They are one of my favorite online language events, which happen on a regular basis.
Tips for a successful exchange
Firstly, you can practice some vocabulary you think will be useful before the meeting, so that it is easier for you to express yourself during the exchange. If you want to avoid the awkwardness and keep the conversation going, ask questions! People love to be asked and have the opportunity to talk about themselves. Remember that it is not that serious, the goal is to simply practice languages. You can always leave the conversation at any moment if you start feeling uncomfortable. Even if you don’t get to speak much, it is a great listening practice. And you can be proud of yourself for finding the courage to participate in a language exchange. Over time, it will get much easier for you to talk with native speakers. The key is to start, not think too much about how you are being perceived and just be yourself! Good luck and have fun:)
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