Tandem Learning

Face-to-face Tandem Learning

Italian version

What is Tandem Learning?
Tandem Learning provides an opportunity for two native speakers of different languages to meet face to face to improve their language skills through conversation.

Why participate in this project?
Because it is:

• USEFUL: it's a chance to improve your speaking skills
• EASY TO PARTICIPATE IN: it's open to everyone at the University of Padova.
• INFORMATIVE: it provides a means to get to know a different culture from your own.
• ENJOYABLE: it's good fun!
• FLEXIBLE: you decide when and where to meet your partner.
  

What do the students say about the project?

Who can participate in the project?

• Students who are registered at the University of Padova
• Students on exchanges through:
- the LLP-Erasmus program
- the Erasmus-Mundus program
- Bilateral agreement students
• Students from Boston University
• Chinese students from Guangzhou University
• Chinese students on the Marco Polo exchange program
• Students on the Leonardo project at the University of Padova
• Erasmus Placement at the University of Padova
• EVS volunteers at the University of Padova
• SCN (National Civil Service) volunteers at the University of Padova
• SCR (Regional Civil Service) volunteers at the University of Padova The project is mainly aimed at students but if extra places are available it can also be opened up to:
• Grant-holders, postgraduate students, Master's students, students doing their specialisation degree course, researchers and professors, whether Italian or from elsewhere who are officially involved with the University of Padova or the Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova (the teaching hospital and health research centre)
• Technical staff and Foreign Language Assistant

How does it work?
The Language Centre will pair up tandem partners based on the applications received. These partners will be put into contact via email taking into account the order in which applications were sent in and the age of the participants.

It is not always possible to allocate a tandem partner to all those who apply for one. This depends how many foreign students who speak the required language get involved.

We will only send an email to participants we have paired up, anyone who does not receive a partner is free to apply again the following semester, they will, however, have to fill in the application form again.

This is where you come in: once you receive our email you should write to your partner to introduce yourself and to arrange your first meeting.

What happens at the meetings?
You are in charge of what you do at your meetings, you decide exactly when and where to meet.

During your meetings you should spend an equal amount of time on each language.

REMEMBER: this is not a teacher-student type relationship but an exchange between peers in order to practice using the language in "real life".

How can I keep track of my goals and my progress?
You can use a DIARY to make a note of your aims and of the progress made during each meeting. Once your semester of Tandem Learning is over, you must hand in your diary to the Segreteria Didattica at the Language Centre, you will then be given a certificate saying you participated in the project.
In order to help you to get the most out of the project you can download the "EUROPASS LANGUAGE PASSPORT TEMPLATE". This is an essential tool to help you evaluate your language skills before and after participating in the project.

How do I apply?
To apply for Tandem Learning you have to download and fill in a FORM with your personal details, send the form via fax (with your signature) to:

BE QUICK! The early bird catches the worm!

To find out more
>> Some figures...
>> The TANDEM LEARNING website