FAQ's

Language Learning FAQ's

1. What is a language exchange?

To the questions list

2. Why a language exchange?

In a class, there is very little time to practice speaking, because a lot of time is spent on instruction and the class may have too many students to give everyone enough meaningful practice. Also, there is no native speaker except the teacher (if you're lucky). That means you are not used to listening to native speakers and may not be able to understand them. You're probably not learning the informal expressions and slang that native speakers use all the time. You don't learn anything about how the people "are" in that culture, how they interact, their sense of humor, their values, etc.

On the other hand, a complete immersion can be ineffective because people don't know how to help you learn - they may speak too fast or use slang you don't understand. Also they may not be patient and just switch to your native language if they speak it, not giving you a chance to practice. Immersion can also be scary. The people in the place of your immersion may speak with a very different accent than the one you learned from your teacher. Also, if people don't speak your language, you can get stuck and not be able to communicate at all!

In a language exchange, however, you practice more than you would in a class, talking with native speakers of the language you're learning, in a relaxed and supportive environment where there is patience and time to understand. A language exchange is also a wonderful way to learn the real spoken language of the culture, with all its "incorrect" grammar, informal expressions and slang. Therefore, a language exchange is the best training to bridge the gap between classroom learning and communicating in the real world!

To the questions list

3. I am learning a second language for business. Why are informal expressions and slang important to me?

To the questions list

4. Why should we use the Cormier method? Why not just talk?

The Cormier method is a proven method that has helped students at the C.E.L.M. language school in Montreal, Canada improve fluency for 3 years. Through the carefully designed lesson plans and the How-to guidelines, the Cormier method provides the necessary structure, and also ensures a positive learning environment.

These lesson plans suggest activities that not only give you something to talk about, but equally important, they give you permission to talk about them! As you will see, the lesson plans cover a large variety of topics that are meaningful and relevant to almost anyone - including some fun topics that a shy person would definitely not suggest, left to his own initiative. This large variety of topics and the emphasis on having fun allows you to find things in common with your exchange partners. Indeed, many lasting friendships have been formed at the language exchange workshops at the C.E.L.M. language school in Montreal. The lesson plans will also challenge your vocabulary and other communication skills.

Finally, the Cormier method fosters a fun and supportive environment where you can feel relaxed, secure and eager to try out your second language skills - there's no pressure and no evaluation. This is important for the following reasons. 

• The best way to learn a language is by speaking it
• Mistakes are a natural part of language acquisition
• A relaxed atmosphere is more conducive to learning
• It takes time to learn a language, so it's important to have fun, enjoy the process, and stay motivated.

5. How will we practice?

6. Why can't I speak in my second language all the time?

• You need to hear native speakers talk so you can understand their accent and slang, and also to help you speak more naturally - more like them. This is accomplished by improving your pronunciation, learning expressions and learning about the "conversation culture". The same is true for your exchange partners.
• This mini-immersion helps you think in your second language.

• It helps you relax. It's easier to accept (understand that it's OK) to make mistakes while speaking in your second language after you've been communicating with your exchange partners in your own language despite their mistakes.
• The time spent speaking in your own language also alleviates the pressure of speaking for long periods of time in your second language.

• Broader communication skills, by participating in all the various activities in the lesson plans.
• Through your partner's questions, you'll learn vocabulary (as you'll find out, a native speaker is often better than a dictionary!) and also how ideas are expressed differently.
• By noticing the mistakes your partners make in your language, you'll learn about their language - the one you are practicing.
• You will learn about the culture(s) and "conversation culture" of the people of your second language.

7. Voice chat, text chat or pen pal?

8. You have a lot of silly activities in your lesson plans that don't seem to be very challenging. Do we have to do them?