Tandem language learning is a written or oral exchange between two people who speak different languages, each learning the other’s language in turn.
The aim of this exchange is to learn the language.
What is TANDEM?
- Practise a foreign language with a native speaker.
- Two people of different mother tongues agree to meet regularly to exchange in their language and support each other in their learning.
- The two language partners are completely autonomous, since they themselves choose the frequency and location of their meetings, the content of their exchanges and the method of correction that suits them.
The aim is both linguistic and cultural, providing an introduction to other cultures while practising foreign languages.
What’s the difference between tandem and e-tandem?
- A tandem is an exchange with a UL student whose first language is not French. Exchanges can therefore take place “in person”.
- E-tandems take place “at a distance” with language partners abroad. Meetings can take place via Skype, Zoom, Teams, etc.
Who is it for?
- For ANYONE interested in perfecting a foreign language through a language partnership
- For all students and staff at the Université de Lorraine
What is it for? What are the benefits?
- By working “in tandem”, you and your partner agree on a work programme that corresponds exactly to your needs.
- You improve your oral comprehension and expression while developing your communication skills
- You have much more speaking time than in more traditional teaching
- Tandem is a very holistic way of learning, as both partners discover not only a foreign language, but also their partner’s culture and way of life.
- The two people working “in tandem” rediscover their own mother tongue by teaching it. In addition, people who are teaching or preparing to teach have the opportunity to experience new teaching methods.
There are several ways of working in TANDEM
While most of us are looking for someone to talk to and meet relatively informally, it is also possible to work in pairs and help each other with exercises in more specific areas (written expression, grammar, reading, etc.) or even specialised areas (legal French, medical English, etc.) and to work on writing.
Who are our e-tandem partners?
- German: Freie Universitat Berlin and Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (Germany)
- English: Newcastle University, University of Leeds, Manchester Metropolitan University (United Kingdom), Alliance française de Pune (India)
- Spanish: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico)
- Italian: Università Ca’ Foscari, Venezia (Italy)
How does it work?
The Language Centre provides you with :
- A pairing with a student from UL (tandem) or from a partner university (e-tandem)
- A specific counselling service for language learners in tandem (make an appointment directly with the educational manager of each partnership – see below)
- Language learning resources on EDOlang (https://edolang.univ-lorraine.fr) or in our language centres.
- An initial meeting is organised for all participants to get to know your partner
- A certificate for tandem language learning under certain conditions (see below)
To receive a Tandem certificate, follow these steps:
- Keep a diary of your language work in tandem (in your EDOlang logbook)
- Commit to a minimum of 6 hours of video work with your partner
- Make an appointment with the person in charge of your partnership at the start of the programme and again at the end.
For your part, you must ensure that :
- Find time every week to communicate with your partner (between 1 and 2 hours per week)
- Commit to a minimum of 6 weeks
- To divide the time equally between the two languages during your meetings (50% of the time in French, 50% of the time in the other language)
How do I register?
If you are interested, you can find more information and the registration form on the ARCHE Tandem and e-Tandem website.
You can also find e-tandem websites :
Or take part in chat groups :