Language Exchange User Posts

It is proven that the fastest way to learn Taiwanese, or any other language, is by emersion in the language and culture of the people. This forces the learning into daily life, and surrounds you with opportunities to practice speaking, listening and conversing in the local language. It also takes the learning off the page and brings it to life. If you want to learn Taiwanese quickly, there is no better method than diving into everyday life in Taiwan.

This may seem like a far-fetched idea to some, but there are actually quite a few opportunities to work in Taiwan temporarily. One opportunity is to teach ESL in Taiwan. Teaching ESL opens up opportunities all over Taiwan for you to use your English to teach in a variety of school settings. You don’t even have to have experience in Taiwanese to teach, and you will get an excellent surrounding of culture and language to help with your language efforts. You can find ESL teaching jobs in a variety of places, and you can check out LRNGO’s ESL blog for more information on qualifications and certifications necessary to teach, as well as advice on finding a job right for you.

There are also opportunities for you to work abroad for room and board. If you’re interested in farming, check out WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) , which offers tons of opportunities for volunteers to connect with farmers all over the globe for a temporary stay and work opportunity. You could also check out Helpx, with a similar concept of volunteering for room and board, but with opportunities spanning across the board, from helping with small hotels to tutoring hosts in a variety of skills.

You can also work with a native Taiwanese speaker through tutoring or language exchange. You can find a tutor on a variety of sites such as WyzAnt, and a language exchange partner at LRNGO, if you would like to exchange lesson for lesson as opposed to paying a tutor. Working with a native speaker allows you the flexibility of asking questions and having lessons tailored to your learning style and abilities. They also open up doors for cross cultural understanding and are the best way to learn what natural, modern Taiwanese looks like.

You can also find some computer courses to help you learn Taiwanese. These are interactive and a close second to having a private tutor, but often times still cost. Be sure to do your research before opting for this method, and make use of any free trials offered to you so you can be sure that you’re paying for a program that is right for you.

Your efforts to become proficient in a new language will be rewarded by the joy of being able to communicate more freely and explore the opportunities this introduces.


Photo Credit: Luke Ma

Interested in learning Romanian? The language is most prominent it Romania and Moldova, but has speakers scattered around various other countries. With native Romanian speakers numbering at about 24 million worldwide, along with approximately 4 million second language speakers, there are ample opportunities to learn the language and add to that 4 million!

Reaching proficiency in a foreign language takes a few singular qualities: drive, commitment, and determination, to name a few. If you feel up to the challenge, then all you need now is a way to achieve your goal. There are a variety of ways you can learn Romanian, and it is often best to combine the different resources out there and gain a rounded understanding of the language as a whole.

Take a Class

If you function best in a classroom setting, consider doing your research on Romanian classes near you, perhaps at your local college, or online. Not all colleges have the option of Romanian courses, so you may have to fall back on the online option. Finding the right class is an important part of your learning, so be sure to read plenty of reviews and try any free trials offered before committing to a course.

Hire a Tutor

This is an excellent option as face-to-face practice is extremely important in any language study. You can check out local classifieds or turn to established tutoring sites like WyzAnt, which posts ads for tutors available both in person or through video chat. The site even includes available tutors’ hours of tutoring experience so you’ll be sure to work with an experienced tutor.

Connect with a Language Exchange Partner

If you would like to learn Romanian without the price tag, then this is the option for you. Because face-to-face learning and practice is so important when it comes to languages, this is an excellent alternative to a hired tutor while still getting the benefits. The idea is that we all have something to learn, as well as things we can teach, so instead of exchange dollar bills for a Romanian lesson, why not exchange your time and teach your partner something you know? Heck, you could even teach English or any other native language whose ability for you to teach you may take for granted. As you probably know, sites like LRNGO allow you to connect with a partner locally or online via video chat so that you can be sure to have options wherever you go.

Explore Online Options

There are plenty of learn at your own pace Romanian resources on the web that are best used when paired with one of the above options (but are incredibly valuable resources for practice and extra study).

Romanian Lessons is a great place to get a grasp of the basics, for free. The free course includes ten lessons so that your foundational knowledge of the language will be solid.

Romanian 101 is perfect for vocabulary and grammar, as well as a place to find links to Romanian radio and news so that you can practice your listening and reading skills while learning about the language’s surrounding culture.

Learn Romanian with Nico is an awesome YouTube channel that helps with grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation. Taught by a native speaker, these videos are very useful for those interested in not only the language, but the culture.

Worldwideliving-Romanian Language is a free podcast on iTunes, giving you the opportunity to listen to bits of Romanian wherever you go, be it in the car, while cleaning the house, or walking your dog, podcasts are a great way to squeeze in some study time in your daily life. This particular podcast plays the audio in both English and Romanian so that you get a better understanding of how the two function in comparison to one another.

Remember that you now have the resources you need to learn Romanian, so get out there and utilize them!


Photo Credit: Dennis Jarvis

So you’ve decided to embark on the language learning journey, have you? Be prepared, you’ve got a long road ahead of you, but with the right amount of passion and dedication, it will be a worthwhile one. If you’re new to language learning, you may need a few tips on where to start. Have no fear, some rules to live by for language learners is here.

Do Your Research

In order to learn a language, you need to figure out where your learning materials will come from. Materials vary greatly from language to language, so it’s important to do your research. Google online practices, video lessons, and podcasts for your language and check out articles written about that language on this site for more specific recommendations.

There are also sites that are valuable for learners of a variety of languages. 101 Languages gives language basics, including vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation and links to TV, radio, and news sites in that language so you can get practice using real-life material, Digital Dialects hosts online exercises perfect for testing how your language learning has been going, and LRNGO provides platform for language exchange, where you can connect with users in your own backyard or anywhere in the world and learn from one another for free. You can also do some research on personal tutors or classes near you.

Be Committed

Now that you have your resources all in a row, it’s time to start committing your time to your studies. Make a schedule and dedicate a select amount of time each day or every other day to study and practice. Don’t save all of your learning for once or twice a week, as you need consistent practice in order for your learning to stick.

Practice, it Makes Perfect

You can’t get all of you knowledge from a textbook, you have to branch out and use your newfound language abilities in the real world. Use worksheets and online exercises to practice on your own, try following along with podcasts or movies to see how much you comprehend, and find a conversation and writing partner so that you can get human feedback on your progress.

Make Mistakes

As you go through the practicing process, don’t be afraid to mess up now and then, or occasionally, or often. Mistakes happen, and they are an integral part of the learning process. Don’t be embarrassed, you’re learning and if you keep on trying with your best effort, then people will understand. When you make mistakes, you learn, so embrace them instead of cringing at them.

With these tips in mind, you are on your way to the rewarding journey of learning a language. Keep your head up high and remind yourself of why this is important to you, so even through the rough patches, you’ll succeed.


Photo Credit: MC Quin