Ever wanted to learn a new language? Looking for a fun easy way to talk to Native speakers? This week I have a collaboration post with my friend and travel buddy blogger chinkybibi to discuss Language Exchange apps!

As you guys know I’m in China and prior to applying for this opportunity I had not thought about learning Chinese. I was just learning Konglish (Korean-English) through watching K-Dramas LOL! So when I found out I was coming to China I was like hmm I am going to need to find a way to learn some basic Mandarin!!

Since I just graduated I am pretty much broke and I looked for cheap (aka FREE) alternatives to learn Mandarin.

• Friends?! well yeah…I have a few Chinese friends but most speak Cantonese (unhelpful)
• Attend Meetups? I attended ONE and they were too advanced for me LOL
• Chinese for Dummies? the book, really good but kinda boring LOL

SO all the above options were good and then I came across this DOPE app called ‘Tandem’ which is an online language exchange application and this week I want to review it!

Tandem, allows you to connect and talk to native speakers of a wide range languages you might want to learn and in exchange you teach them your native language (or whatever languages you know)
At first appearance this may come across as a dating Tinder like app trust me I felt the same, I was so worried that it would be super awkward. You can communicate via private chat, call or video call. I did not really want to talk on the phone to someone I don’t know but with Mandarin I needed so much help with pronunciation and vice versus the people would want help with speaking so I found using voice notes was the best alternative. I’ve met some amazing people on this app, who have helped me with my pronunciation and having casual conversations and we sometimes voice call and its not too awkward haha…LOL I know.

Formal language classes are great but it can take forever to learn to talk casually, from my experience on the app most Chinese people want to learn how to have casual conversations. Additionally, Chinese people just don’t have anyone to talk too in English in general life, this is why I feel like this app is dope and solves such a problem. There are an abundance of people on the app ready and willingly to talk. I have been using the app for like 5 months now and I wouldn’t say I’ve met any major creeps.

There are so many language exchange apps on the market but I would highly recommend Tandem, I’ve told a couple of people about it and they love it too PLUS it was voted one of the apps of the year for 2015!!
HOWEVER, for those with an android phone this isn’t for you (until they develop an android version) LOL hence the collaboration with chinkybibi she has an S6 (#teamiPhone) and she has a review on her blog about the HelloTalk language exchange app! Go read her post HERE!
Download Tandem from the App Store NOW and find out more about Tandem here

‘Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can; there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.’-Sarah Caldwell

Till next week

xo