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Language Conversation Exchange
About the program
It's more than learning a language -- we help connect people across the Institute for conversation, cultural exchange and friendship.
Sponsored by MIT Medical for all members of the MIT community, the Language Conversation Exchange (LCE) will give you an opportunity to:
Take a break from your normal routine
- Meet someone new from a different part of campus
- Speak a language you're learning with a native speaker
- Share your culture and interests while learning about someone else's
- Make a newcomer to MIT feel welcome
- Help others appreciate your native language and culture
Anyone who is affiliated with MIT can participate in the LCE. Our members include students, staff, visiting scientists and scholars, faculty members, and their spouses and partners. Conversation partners arrange the time, place, and frequency of their meetings. They typically meet once a week for an hour.
These informal partnerships can help new members of our community get acquainted with the MIT community, while their English-speaking conversation partners improve their proficiency in another language. Members find the informal nature and flexibility of the LCE an enjoyable way to share their culture and learn more about someone else's.
How does it work?
If you are interested in participating in the LCE, simply fill out our online application form, pick one up in E23-230, or call 3-1614 to have one mailed to you.
The LCE coordinator will review the application and determine whether a suitable partner is available.
If a partner is available, the coordinator will provide names and contact information to both individuals. The partners then set up an initial meeting to discuss their interests, expectations, and availability. The exchange works best when both partners are aware of the other's ideas about how they want the exchange to work.
The partners decide when, where, and how often to meet. Most partners meet for one hour per week, but partners are free to arrange the exchange in the best way for them. The partners keep in touch with the coordinator about the success of the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you decide who to match me with?
If you make a specific request about the qualifications or characteristics of your partner, we do our best to find someone who matches. For example, some people prefer to meet someone of the same gender or age, or they may want to meet someone from a particular region or country. There are often very few applicants available and many do not share specific personal information, so we may simply match a new applicant with the individual who has been on the waiting list for the longest time.
How do I contact my partner?
Once the coordinator has found a partner for you, you will be sent your partner's name and telephone number and/or email address. You will then contact your partner to set up an initial meeting to discuss your availability and expectations.
What if the partnership doesn't work out?
The exchange usually works best when the partners have discussed their expectations at the first meeting. For example, partners should discuss their schedules and talk about what they are interested in gaining from the exchange. For example, some people are relatively fluent in the language they want to practice and are primarily interested in informal conversation. Others are interested in improving my grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation and would like a partner who will correct their errors. It is helpful to share this information with your partner at the very beginning.
If you decide that the match does not work, please contact the coordinator, and she will try to match you with a different partner. Please note that it is normal for there to be some confusion about the first meeting between new partners. If you miss each other, try to set up another meeting. The second meeting usually goes well.
Do I need to already know how to speak the language I'm interested in practicing?
Although it is possible to begin learning a new language through the LCE, the exchange usually works best when the partners at least have some ability to converse in each other's language and can carry on a simple conversation.
Please keep in mind that the goal of the LCE is to give people an opportunity to practice their conversation skills with a native speaker. It is not designed to replace the experience of learning from a trained teacher in a classroom setting. It may not be reasonable to expect your partner to teach you specific grammar rules, for example.
What if I just want to learn about a particular culture but I don't speak the language?
This type of exchange can work if: 1) you are willing to help your partner speak your language, and 2) you clearly explain your interest to your partner. Sometimes in this type of exchange, the non-native-English partners may feel that they are not keeping their end of the bargain, since the native English speakers are helping them with English, while they are not sure what they are giving back.
How often do people meet?
Partners typically meet once a week for one hour, but you and your partner will decide when, where, and how often to meet. Many partners meet for lunch or coffee, but there are many other ways to share your languages with each other. You could visit a museum together or see a movie. Perhaps you both enjoy the outdoors or a particular sport or can teach each other how to prepare your favorite recipes. MIT offers many free or low-cost events, including concerts, movies, plays, and art exhibitions that you could attend together. Please call us for more ideas.
I heard there is a long waiting list for English speakers. How long will I have to wait for a partner?
Unfortunately at MIT, many English speakers want to be matched with a native Spanish and French speakers, while it is mostly Chinese, Korean, and Japanese people who request English-speaking conversation partners. This imbalance can make it difficult to match partners. Although we match about 40 people per year, we are unable to find partners for everyone who applies to the program. Non-English speakers can stay on the waiting for six months. At that time, they will be removed from the list unless they submit a new application to the program. Click here to reapply.
Do you accept people who are not affiliated with MIT?
Because there are many people at MIT waiting to be matched with a partner, we do not accept applications from people outside of MIT who are seeking English conversation partners. Occasionally we will accept applications from people outside of MIT who want to practice Chinese, Japanese, or Korean with a native speaker. Please contact the coordinator for more information.
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