Language Exchange User Posts

As a lingua franca (bridge language) of Pakistan, it’s no wonder that learning Urdu has struck your fancy. Learning any second language is a challenge, but it is a challenge that you can master with the right kind of foundation. You probably already know that if you are dedicated to the learning process and are willing to put in some honest effort, Urdu will successfully become a part of your language skills.

Get Guidance
It is important to have some sort of structural support as you learn a language like Urdu to keep you on the right track and ensure that you are covering all the ground necessary to really learn the language. You have a variety of options when it comes to how to get that guidance, so decide which is right for you.

Finding a class that teaches Urdu near you may be unlikely, but check out local colleges and language centers in case their offerings surprise you. You also have the ability to enroll in online Urdu courses. Be sure that when doing this you read user reviews, and utilize any free trials so that you get the best Urdu education for your dollar.

You can also hire a tutor to teach you. This is a great option as languages are best taught through another person who already has the working knowledge and expertise that you wish to acquire. Working one-on-one with someone helps them understand your learning style and gives you the opportunity to have highly personalized lessons that are designed to work specifically for you. Tutors are also valuable in that they can give you insight on the culture surrounding the language, any slang or nontraditional usages, and be there to answer questions. They also make excellent conversation partners and can even go over your written work to make your abilities more fluid and natural. Look for tutors in classifieds, Craigslist, or other tutoring sites like here on LRNGO, or WyzAnt.

If you like the idea of a tutor but don’t like the cost, then look into becoming involved with language exchanges. Essentially, language exchange is a mutual tutoring, like “you teach me English and I’ll teach you Urdu”. No cost besides your time, and all the benefits of a tutor. As you know, LRNGO offers a free platform for learning exchange, so you can find a partner near you or online to work with via video chat.

Practice Outside of Lessons
This is an essential part of your study. The guidance of an instructor is important, but if you don’t practice on your own, you won’t grow in your language skills. Check out sites like Urdu101, My Languages, and BBC Urdu for resources and links that will help you practice outside of class. Listening to radio shows and reading news in Urdu will help increase your ability to use the language in everyday life.

It’s also important to be sure you practice frequently and consistently. Make a schedule with the guidance of your instructor and ask them for advice on how to incorporate Urdu into your daily life for maximum practice.

The key to Urdu is to stay dedicated and determined and to practice, practice, practice. I know it’s cliché, but you can achieve your goal with substantial effort. The hardest part is just to get started and make the decision to start learning!


Photo Credit: Irfan Ahmed

Did you know that the United States has the second highest population of Hebrew speakers (after Israel, of course)?

With the growing demand for language teachers and tutors, a good Hebrew teacher or tutor has more opportunities to teach Hebrew than ever. Despite Hebrew not being one of the more in demand languages of study, knowing Hebrew opens you up to teaching or tutoring those interested in learning the language. You have the ability to put your skills to use, so why hesitate? All it takes is a little preparation, a good knowledge of the language, and determination to keep looking until you find the Hebrew teaching or tutoring job that works well for you.

Online tutoring sites are an excellent place for tutors to start posting their qualifications and availability. These sites are always looking for new talented and skilled tutors to connect with their ready and waiting students. All you have to do is apply and pass their background checks and certification requirements and you could be accepted as a member of one of these sites to teach Hebrew.

If you prefer a face-to-face method of tutoring, you could use online classifieds to post your information for interested learners to access, or check out student listings to see if they are looking for you. These sites generally focus on individual tutoring as opposed to larger, group settings, which can be a great place to start if you don’t have much teaching experience. Check out Craigslist or LRNGO to start out with.

If you feel that you have enough experience and qualifications, you may be interested in looking at schools in your area for open positions as a Hebrew teacher or tutor. Connecting with schools is always beneficial as they can refer you to parents and students who are looking for a Hebrew tutor, whether or not they have an in-school position available for you.

If you know classical Hebrew, look into jobs at local Jewish or Christian schools, synagogues, and churches. The deep roots the language has on both of these beliefs makes it a popular language to study in these spheres.

The key to obtaining a Hebrew tutoring or teaching job is to have confidence in your working Hebrew skills and your ability to impart this knowledge on others. In addition to that, it is important to put yourself out there. Contact as many listing sites and schools as you can and be sure to be friendly and put your best foot forward as you connect with potential students. Have patience and determination—the jobs are out there, you just have to find them.


Photo Credit: Yoel Ben-Avraham

A common challenge that many language learners face is figuring out where to start. It can be hard to learn any language, especially a complicated and nuanced language like Indonesian, and that’s why it is recommended to go in with guidance.

Hiring a tutor is an important step in the language learning process, reason being that textbooks and websites can only teach you so much of a language and answer so many of your questions. The remainder of your learning comes from an experienced speaker who is familiar with both teaching and the language itself. Indonesian language tutors can assist you in reaching your language goals and make progress quickly and effectively.

Needing a tutor and finding one are two very different things, and finding someone who is a good tutor and someone you are comfortable working with is extremely important. Some of the best places to look for language tutors are at specialized sites made for connecting language learners to tutors. There are a variety of sites like this such as WyzAnt and TutorHunt. Indonesian language tutors are located all over the world (you can even get tutored from anywhere through Skype) ready and waiting to help you, and all you have to do is get in contact with them.

Other great places to find Indonesian language tutors are on classified sites and in local newspapers. On sites like Craigslist you can find all sorts of available Indonesian language tutors and teachers, so get their information, and go to meet them in person. You can also post ads for yourself if you can’t find available teachers, and the teachers have the ability to come to you.

Of course, LRNGO is a platform where you can find tutors to work with you in person or through video chat, as well as offers language exchange, so you can teach someone a skill you know in exchange for Indonesian lessons—giving you all the benefits of a tutor without the cost.

Indonesian language tutors who will help you learn the language are a great option not only for their experience with the language, but also because they know the culture and can impart you with knowledge beyond the basic language including everyday subtleties and slang that you may find beneficial if you’re looking to have a working knowledge of how the language is used daily. They can give you history and knowledge behind the traditions, and help you understand more deeply the ins and outs of the language.

When locating a tutor, be sure to do a trial tutoring session before you commit to a long-term session. It is important that tutors and students work well together and can function in that kind of relationship. Make sure that you feel comfortable with how your tutor teaches and that they understand how to tailor their lessons to best fit your skills and struggles. You can also look at reviews from previous students if you’re using an online site as well as pay attention to their previous experience to ensure that your tutor is a good one.

A great tutor can be the key to your learning and helping you figure out just what will work for you. There’s nothing to be gained from putting it off, so go and get yourself one of the best tutors today!


Photo Credit: Prayoga D. Widyanto