Course description

What is a language tandem?

Two academic or administrative staff members from two EUniWell universities, learning each other’s language and working at similar positions, are paired up and meet regularly via videoconference to practice their oral language skills. They are completely autonomous in the organisation of their tandem. Example: An Italian speaker working at UNIFI and learning German is paired up with a German speaker working at UKON and learning Italian.

Why participate?

If you are learning a foreign language, participating in a language tandem will allow you to:

• Practice your oral skills flexibly and informally with a native or fluent speaker
• Improve your confidence when speaking in a foreign language
• Expand your professional network and engage with your peers
• Develop your intercultural skills

How does it work?

Step 1 – Assess your language level
Evaluate your level in the language you would like to practice, using the CEFR self-assessment grid, or a language test, such as Dialang.

Step 2 - Fill in the matching form
It will find you the best tandem partner based on the language you would like to practice, your language level, the language(s) you speak, your position, and the topics you would like to discuss.

Step 3 - Start the sessions with your tandem partner
Once the tandem is formed, you can organise your sessions as you prefer, using the videoconference tool of your choice. We recommend:

• Meeting 5 times or more during the semester (1/month)
• Have 1-hour sessions during which you spend half of the time speaking in language A, and half of the time speaking in language B.

NB: The tandems will be formed based on the language spoken by each participant, the language they wish to practice, and their Institutional position. Please note that depending on the participants’ profile, we may not find you a tandem partner.