How to Have a Conversation at a Language Exchange Meetup
At a language exchange, agree on how you'll split the time (for example 20 minutes in each language), then stick to concrete, everyday topics you have words for: where you're from, your day, food, plans and why you're learning. Keep a few rescue phrases ready like "How do you say…?" and "Can you say that more slowly?", and ask your partner how they'd like to be corrected.
How a language exchange works
A language exchange pairs people who want to learn each other's languages. A Spanish speaker learning English meets an English speaker learning Spanish, and you take turns. It might be one-to-one in a café, online, or a meetup where people move between tables.
The deal is simple: you get to practise, and you help someone else practise. That only works if both halves get fair time, and if you both talk about things your level can actually handle.
Before you start: agree the rules
Spend the first two minutes, in whichever language is easier, agreeing three things:
- The split. "Shall we do 20 minutes in Spanish, then 20 in English?" A timer on the table keeps it fair.
- Corrections. "Do you want me to correct you as you go, or note things and tell you at the end?"
- Your levels. "My Spanish is beginner, so please speak slowly. Your English sounds great, but tell me if I'm too fast."
Setting this up feels formal for a moment, then makes the rest much easier.
Topics by level
Choose topics where you know most of the words. Concrete beats abstract.
| Level | Good topics | Example questions |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Name, country, family, job, food, today | "Where are you from?" "What do you do?" "What did you eat today?" |
| Lower intermediate | Your city, weekends, hobbies, travel, plans | "What do you do at the weekend?" "Where would you like to travel?" |
| Intermediate | Why you're learning, culture differences, films, work | "What surprised you most about living here?" "What's a typical day at your job?" |
| Advanced | News, opinions, idioms, jokes, stories | "What do people in your country think about…?" "Is there a saying that doesn't translate?" |
"Why are you learning this language?" works at almost every level. Everyone has a reason, and it's often a good story: a partner, a job, a holiday, a grandparent.
Culture differences are the best topic in any exchange. "What's something people here do that seems strange to you?" usually produces laughter on both sides.
Rescue phrases for when you're stuck
Learn these in your target language before your first exchange. They keep the conversation going in the language instead of switching back.
| You need to | Phrase (in English) |
|---|---|
| Find a word | "How do you say … in [language]?" |
| Slow them down | "Can you say that more slowly, please?" |
| Hear it again | "Sorry, can you repeat that?" |
| Check meaning | "Do you mean …?" |
| Describe a word you don't know | "It's a thing you use for … / It's like a … but smaller." |
| Buy time | "Let me think…" |
| Ask for correction | "Is that right? How would you say it?" |
Describing around a missing word is one of the most useful speaking skills. "The thing you open wine with" gets you "corkscrew" and keeps you talking.
Switching languages fairly
The most common problem in exchanges is drifting into the stronger shared language, usually English, and staying there. A few ways to prevent it:
- Use a timer and switch when it goes off, mid-sentence if needed.
- Name the switch out loud: "Okay, English time!"
- Gently pull it back: "Wait, we're still on Spanish time. Can you say that in Spanish?"
- One topic, two languages: talk about the same topic in both halves. The second time, you already know the subject vocabulary.
When it's your language's turn, be a good partner: speak a little more slowly than usual, avoid slang unless they ask for it, and leave space for them to finish sentences. Don't jump in with the word too fast; give them a few seconds to find it.
Correcting each other kindly
Constant corrections kill the flow. None at all wastes the opportunity. A middle way:
- Correct only mistakes that change the meaning, or that repeat often.
- Repeat the sentence back correctly instead of explaining: they say "I go to the beach yesterday", you say "Oh, you went to the beach yesterday? Nice!"
- Keep a shared note of new words and corrections to look at in the last five minutes.
Ask your partner what they prefer. Some love lots of corrections; some find it stressful.
At a group meetup
Meetups are less structured than one-to-one exchanges. To get going:
- Open with the obvious: "Hi, which language are you practising?"
- Find your match: "I'm learning French. Is anyone at this table a French speaker?"
- Include beginners: if someone is clearly struggling, slow down and ask simpler questions.
- Move tables after 20 to 30 minutes if the format allows. It's normal, and you'll hear different accents.
Mistakes to avoid
| Mistake | Why it hurts | Try instead |
|---|---|---|
| Drifting into the easier language | One person stops practising | Timer and named switches |
| Abstract topics too early | You run out of words and freeze | Concrete, everyday topics |
| Correcting every error | Breaks the flow and confidence | Recast, or note for the end |
| Using the time to teach grammar | It's a conversation, not a lesson | Explain briefly, then keep talking |
| Only asking questions | Your partner can't practise listening to you | Share your own answers too |
Practising between exchanges
Exchanges are great but irregular, and many people freeze when speaking with a real person. Practising aloud between sessions helps. The Speaking Coach app works in 20 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Korean, with a voice partner who follows up on what you say and feedback on pace and pauses; it never rates your accent. For English specifically, the small talk in English guide has phrases for everyday conversations.
Questions people ask
What do you talk about at a language exchange?
Everyday, concrete topics at first: where you're from, your job, food, your weekend, and why you're learning. Culture differences are great once you have more words.
How do you split time in a language exchange?
Agree an even split, such as 20 or 30 minutes per language, and use a timer so neither person drifts into the easier language.
What if my partner's level is much higher than mine?
Tell them your level and ask them to speak slowly and simply in your target language. Use rescue phrases rather than switching languages.
Should I correct my language exchange partner?
Ask how they'd like to be corrected. Many prefer you to repeat the sentence back correctly, or to save corrections for the end.
I'm a beginner. Is a language exchange too early?
No. Start with simple topics and rescue phrases. Your partner was a beginner once too.