Have you ever thought about taking part in a language exchange or “intercambio”? If you are living in a different country, this can be a great way to learn the language, but also, to learn about your new surroundings too! Here we outline some of the major reasons why attending a language exchange is a great idea.

Meet like-minded people

To start with, this activity is perfect to meet like-minded people. When you land in Valencia, most likely you won’t know anybody. Making friends in a new country whilst attempting to communicate in a new language is not always easy. This is why we recommend trying a language exchange! It’s the easiest way to meet people and talk to others who are in the same boat as you.

Bear in mind, most people you meet will be other international students who are just as eager to meet people and form new friendships. Travelers often have an open mindset and an enthusiasm to find out about the culture and surroundings- which can definitely add to your experience!

Put the language into practice

Of course, there’s no better way to practice speaking a new language than to talk! Most people feel really awkward and embarrassed when trying to use Spanish for the first time, and this is a big reason why you should try an intercambio, to get past the nerves! Everybody who’s there is stepping out of their comfort zone – so it makes it easier to step out of yours.

This activity will give you the chance to practice your speaking skills, working on things like pronunciation, accent and fluency. What’s more, your listening skills will improve rapidly too, as you’ll have to take in new accents and process information in your second language.

Learn natural expressions

If you are talking to a native speaker in a language exchange setting then this is a fantastic way to learn the true peculiarities of a language. The presence of native Spaniards in the activity will help you to pick up common idioms and expressions. These are things you wouldn’t learn from a textbook, so it’s a really valuable asset to get to speak to locals and learn natural expressions as well as regional variations too.

International connections

Language Exchange activities bring internationals together from all over the world – enabling you to discover new cultures and make international contacts. You’ll get to share experiences and learn about different cultures and parts of the world. This won’t only feed your wanderlust but it will give you the opportunity to make interesting contacts which could be very useful for your professional career in the future.

If you would like to find out more about our LANGUAGE EXCHANGE IN VALENCIA, take a look at our website.

Or if you want to get the ball rolling and sign up for one of our Spanish language courses, here’s a link to explain more about the different course options we have available.