The advantages and disadvantages of a language exchange

The advantages and disadvantages of a language exchange

As the name suggests, a language exchange is a trip abroad that has the main purpose of improving skills in a foreign language. This learning method has many advantages, because it also allows you to live an enriching cultural and human experience.

However, it also has its drawbacks. But what are these advantages and disadvantages in question and what are the prerequisites for going on a language exchange? If you want to allow your children to go on a language exchange and enjoy a new learning experience, in an English-speaking country for example, find some answers in this article.

Before the language exchange: take English lessons

Some prerequisites are necessary for the smooth running of a language exchange. It is particularly essential to master the basics of the target language to be able to communicate a minimum on the spot and make the most of your learning experience.

Sending your child on a language exchange from the very beginning of his English learning is relevant if he is prepared for it. And for the exchange to have a real interest, he must practice the language regularly throughout the year. So, in addition to the English lessons he takes at school or college, a good idea is to have him take lessons with ISpeakSpokeSpoken , whatever the level (beginner, intermediate, advanced ) and the objectives: communicate, progress, improve.

On dedicated platforms, your child will find playful vocabulary sheets, grammar memos, quality lessons, YouTube videos to improve their pronunciation and understanding and prepare for their departure with complete peace of mind.

This will make his daily life easier once he arrives at his destination, because he will have more confidence and will be able to communicate easily with the locals. This will also allow him to acquire the level required to integrate the institute of his choice.

To reinforce what they have learned, they can use a dedicated learning application, read newspapers in English, watch films or series in their original version, etc.

Choose the destination for your language exchange

The choice of the destination of the linguistic exchange obviously depends mainly on the target language. For English, England, Scotland, Ireland and the United States remain great classics!

Other things to consider before departure

Before going on a language exchange, you must also:

• Choose the dates – of departure and return – and therefore the duration of the stay: everything will depend essentially on the duration of the training, but also and above all on your budget (if you plan to send your children on a language exchange during the school holidays, make sure to plan their stay in advance so you don't end up with the stay they want full).
• Choose the establishment: language courses are most often given in a language school or at a university and generally take place in the morning, from Monday to Friday. The afternoons are devoted to on-site activities such as sports, games, visits or trips to the surroundings.
• Choose the program of the stay according to the age of your children and their objectives in order to be certain that it will be well adapted.
• Choose the type of accommodation : in general, you will have the choice between a host family and a student residence. Your choice depends on the age of your child, who may feel more secure in a family if they are young or are moving away from you for the first time.

What are the benefits of a language exchange?

There are several advantages to allowing your child to enjoy this unique experience.

Total immersion in the language of a foreign country

It is well known that practice remains the most effective method for quickly learning a new language. Your children will learn much faster by talking every day with natives. Direct contact with them will allow them to integrate more easily everything related to pronunciation, intonation and expressions. This will also allow them to quickly enrich their vocabulary. Placed in a precise context, an everyday situation, the words learned will have an emotional anchoring which will considerably facilitate their memorization. As far as grammar and spelling are concerned, they will be able to refine them during the preparatory courses and the courses given during the language exchange.

Discovery of a new culture and openness to new encounters

But a language exchange is not just about learning a foreign language. It is also an excellent opportunity to discover in depth the culture of a country and the way of life of a people. Indeed, by living with locals, your children will be able to easily learn their lifestyles and customs. Yes the English eat at 6 p.m.! Yes they love Tea Time! Yes, American families often don't have lunch together but everyone helps themselves from the fridge...

The activities in which they will be able to take part outside their class hours will also allow them to go sightseeing and meet new people.

Language trips are now available at HEBE Adventures in Ireland

HEBE Adventures is a contact platform that allows its parent members to organize language stays for children directly online. However, you create a personalized, friendly, secure and reasonably priced language stay for your child, individually or in a small family group, and regardless of where you want your child to go and also for the desired duration.

By choosing one of our Hebe language exchange programs, you will save your child the stress of uncertainty. Plus, our decades of craftsmanship and experience ensure your son or daughter has a successful exchange.

Indeed, our years of experience in the field of linguistic exchange guarantee optimal support for your child, from the development to the realization of his linguistic exchange, through the daily follow-up of his journey abroad. We answer all your questions in order to guide your child towards an exceptional and unforgettable stay and life experience.

The selection we make to choose Irish host families is based above all on the network we have in Ireland which makes up our range of stays. Our local correspondents, present all year round on site, work intensively to select the families where your child will certainly feel comfortable during his language stay in Ireland. Our requirements and our seriousness allow us to offer you very high quality family language stays where your child will enjoy while learning a new language.

Finally, our very complete Hebe range of language stays for children and teenagers allows you to make your choice throughout the year. You can be sure that your child will benefit from a program perfectly adapted to his requirements as well as to yours. If you want more information, you can go directly to our website to compare our language courses in Ireland.

So what are you waiting for to give your child the opportunity to learn English through language trips to Ireland? HEBE Adventures is always at your service.