Finding the right language exchange partner is like choosing a gym buddy: the match matters as much as the workout. Here’s a friendly, no-fluff guide to help you find someone reliable, fun, and effective for your Spanish practice—plus what to do once you’ve found them.
Want to warm up with short, levelled reading before you message anyone? Try our Spanish stories.
What does “good” mean for you?
A good partner meets your goals. Define them first:
- Level fit (A2 needing patience vs. C1 needing speed and nuance)
- Modality (voice, video, text, or in-person)
- Time zone overlap and availability
- Correction style (live vs. at the end, focused on pronunciation/grammar/vocab)
- Shared interests (music, fútbol, tech, travel, books, cooking)
1) Where to find partners (that actually show up)
Try 2–3 platforms at once to increase your chances:
- Language apps: Tandem, HelloTalk, Speaky, Amikumu
- Websites: ConversationExchange, MyLanguageExchange, Polyglot Club
- Communities: Reddit (r/language_exchange, r/Spanish), Discord servers, Facebook/Meetup groups, university clubs
- Local: Cultural centers, cafés with “intercambios” (search “intercambiolanguage exchange de idiomas + tu ciudad”)
Pro tip: Don’t post “Anyone want to practice?” Instead, post a specific invite with your schedule and goals. Specificity attracts serious partners.
If you plan an in‑person intercambio, review key words for getting around town: Places in the city.
2) Write a profile that attracts the right partner
Make it short, clear, and verifiable (times, topics, tools).
- Who you are: “A2–B1 English speaker learning Spanish (Spain), interested in hiking and film.”
- Your goals: “I want to improve listening and small talk for travel.”
- Availability: “Mon–Thu 18:00–20:00 CET.”
- Modality: “Prefer video; okay with voice notes.”
- Time split: “25 min en español, 25 min en inglés.”
Template you can copy-paste:
Hola, soy [Name], nivel [A2/B1] de español. Me interesa [topics]. Objetivo: conversación natural y vocabulario para [work/travel/exams]. Disponibilidad: [days + timezone]. Modalidad: [video/voz/texto]. Propuesta: 50/50 en ambos idiomas, con correcciones al final. ¿Te apetece?
Describing yourself often uses both “ser” and “estar.” Quick refresher: Ser vs estar.
3) Send outreach messages that get replies
Don’t send generic “Hi”. Show you read their profile and propose something concrete.
Drag the handle to compare
Mentioning likes? Review the verb gustar so your message sounds natural.
4) Quick screening: 5 messages to avoid mismatches
Copy, paste, and send before scheduling:
- ¿Cuál es tu nivel y objetivo principal?
- ¿Prefieres correcciones durante la charla o al final?
- ¿Video, audio o mensajes de voz? ¿Qué app te va bien?
- ¿Qué horario sueles tener libre? (Zona horaria)
- ¿Te parece hacer 50/50 y turnarnos cada 20–25 minutos?
If they dodge these, it’s a yellow flag.
You propose a 50/50 split. Your partner replies: “Let’s just do English today and Spanish next time.” Best response?
5) Your first meeting plan (so it’s not awkward)
Aim for 50–55 minutes total.
- Warm-up (5 min): small talk, tech check
- Block 1 (20–25 min): Spanish only
- Switch (1–2 min): feedback
- Block 2 (20–25 min): Your language only
- Wrap-up (3 min): next steps + mini-homework
To keep stories coherent, use simple connectors (primero, luego, al final). Practice with A2 connectors and sequence words.
Useful Spanish to manage the exchange
- “¿QuedamosShall we agree on en 25 minutos por idioma?”
- “¿Te importa siIs it okay if me corriges al final?”
- “¿Puedes hablar más despacioCan you speak slower?, por favor?”
- “¿Usamos tuteoyou (informal) o usted?”
6) Simple topics bank (by level)
- A1–A2: Presentarte, rutina, comida, familia, planes del fin de semana
- B1–B2: Noticias ligeras, aficiones, viajes, trabajo/estudios, tecnología
- C1: Opiniones, dilemas, cultura, humor, reseñas, comparación cultural
Mini-tasks that keep things lively:
- Describe a photo for 60 seconds
- 20 preguntas (adivina el objeto)
- Role-play: pedir en un restaurante, devolver un producto
Starter vocab for smoother chats: Basic greetings and phrases for warm-ups, and Expressing opinions and arguing for B1+ discussions.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
7) Tech and safety checklist
- Tools: Zoom/Meet + backup (WhatsApp), shared doc (Google Docs), dictionary (WordReference)
- Audio: headphone mic; quiet room
- Time zones: World Time Buddy; confirm the city
- Notes: write 5–10 new phrases max; quality over quantity
Safety first
- Don’t share personal addresses or sensitive info.
- Meet in public spaces for in-person exchanges.
- Report/block rude or inappropriate behavior.
- Trust your gut and leave any call that feels off.
8) Green flags and red flags
-
Green flags:
- Shows up on time and proposes a clear plan
- Balances time fairly, asks about your goals
- Corrects respectfully, takes turns speaking
- Sends useful resources or notes
-
Red flags:
- Repeated cancellations without notice
- Wants only your language, never switches
- Flirts or ignores boundaries
- Monologues and rejects feedback
9) Keep a good partner: make progress visible
- Set weekly micro-goals: “3 new connectors + 1 story in past tense.”
- Track phrases in a shared doc (max 10 per session).
- Monthly check-in: what’s working, what to change.
- Add variety: one week conversation, next week a mini-task (describe a scene, summarize a video, debate a headline).
A handy way to summarize your week is with the present perfect: try a quick review using the present perfect tense.
SMART your Spanish
Specific: “Use 5 new phrases with compromisocommitment this week.” Measurable: 10 minutes of storytelling without notes. Achievable: One short article + 3 discussion questions. Relevant: Topics you actually care about. Time-bound: Review every Sunday.
10) Polite scripts (copy these)
- Suggesting a time:
- “¿Te va bien el miércoles a las 19:00 (hora de Madrid)?”
- Setting correction style:
- “Prefiero que tomes notas y me corrijas al final, ¿vale?”
- Nudging balance:
- “Hicimos mucho inglés hoy. ¿Cambiamos al español 20 minutos?”
- Exiting gracefully (mismatch):
- “Gracias por tu tiempo. Creo que nuestros objetivos no coinciden, así que buscaré otro intercambio. ¡Mucha suerte!”
Quick reference: What to write in your first message
- Mention something specific from their profile.
- State your level and goal.
- Propose a concrete plan (time split, date, tool).
- Ask one simple question to invite a yes.
Example: “¡Hola, Diego! Vi que te gusta el senderismo y quieres practicar inglés para entrevistas. Soy B1 en español. ¿Probamos 25 min español + 25 min inglés por Google Meet el jueves 18:30 (CET)? Prefiero correcciones al final. ¿Te va bien?”
If your partner is preparing for entrevistas, share this resource: Job interviews and resumes.
Mini vocabulary you’ll use a lot
- intercambiolanguage exchange
- quedarto arrange/meet
- horarioschedule
- retroalimentaciónfeedback
- charlasmall talk
- seguimientofollow-up
- metasgoals
- puntualidadpunctuality
If you define your goals, post specifically, and screen kindly, you’ll find a partner who’s consistent, fun, and great for your Spanish. Then, keep it structured and simple—and watch your fluency grow. ¡Tú puedes!