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Could a Language “Currency” Solve This Massive Language Exchange Problem?
How to fix a broken “bartering” system
Finding a language exchange is akin to bartering. You have to find a native speaker in your target language who wants to learn your native language. Then there is also the problem of finding someone who is at a similar level as you. It would be an uneven exchange to teach someone else the fundamentals, while you’re at the intermediate level in their language.
It’s too easy to talk in the language you’re both comfortable in rather than teaching the other person the language they want to learn. Therefore it’s important you’re both at a similar level in each other’s language.
There are other unsolved nuances too, such as how serious of a learner your partner is. For example, do they really want to learn your English or is English just one of 4 languages they’re learning. Personality compatibility and time zone coordination also create more points of failure for language exchanges.
Ideally, you want to find someone who shares the same hobbies, interests, and values as you, and this person may not be interested in your native language.
