How to Make the Most Out of Group Language Exchanges

Group language exchanges can be an enriching way to practice speaking and learn from multiple individuals at once. Unlike 1:1 exchanges, group sessions typically involve a facilitator guiding several people practicing a language together.

Research conducted by Zhou (2023) titled "Investigating the impact of online language exchanges on second language speaking and willingness to communicate of Chinese EFL learners: a mixed methods study" found that authentic dialogue with peers or native speakers exposes learning to natural language use and encourages them to speak up more, which can significantly improve fluency over time. Group exchanges can amplify these benefits by adding diverse viewpoints and a social atmosphere, but they also come with challenges. Psychologists have observed that casual conversations naturally tend to max out at about four active participants before breaking into sub-conversations, something known as "the dinner party problem."

Therefore, the right approach is essential to ensure group exchanges are productive and enjoyable for everyone. Here, we’ll explore a few research-backed strategies on how to make the most out of group exchanges.

Tips for being a participant in a group language exchange

Group exchanges work when participants treat the session as a collaborative practice with their peers. According to an analysis by Loewen and Sato (2018), "Interaction and instructed second language acquisition,” these types of interactions push you to reshape language to be understood, and producing language can prompt the awareness of gaps and refinement of form. In group settings, learners get more opportunities to interact and converse with different speakers, which can help further propel fluency.

To increase the likelihood of an effective group language exchange, there are a few things that can be done before, during, and after the session.

• Create one micro-goal for the session. For example, ask a follow-up question using why or how, use three past-tense verbs, or use new vocabulary in a sentence.

• Perform 5 to 10 minutes of pre-task planning. Write down target words, sentence starters, or a brief outline of something you want to talk about. An analysis by Suzuki (2017), "Complexity, accuracy, and fluency measures in oral pre-task planning: a synthesis,” found that pre-task and online planning tend to boost fluency and complexity of speech, which can be ideal for group language exchanges.

• Reduce your anxiety by engaging in a pre-session task. A study by Teimouri, Goetze, and Plonsky (2019) titled "Second language anxiety and achievement: a meta-analysis,” found that brief breathing or pre-writing your first turn can reduce anxiety when practicing a foreign language.

• Communicate during the group exchange. Don’t be afraid to speak, just make sure to share the time with other participants. Respecting the aspect of taking turns in an organized system can help improve efficiency and allow all participants to engage.

• Be an active listener and contribute to the conversation. Backchanneling can improve coordination in spoken dialect and create a welcoming environment for everyone involved.

• Ask for clarifications. If you don’t understand something relevant to your time in the group exchange, bring it up. Although you may not understand everything at first, especially if you join a group where individuals are at a higher proficiency level, it’s still okay to ask questions.

• Adjust your output so that it works for you. While you may spend the first few group exchanges being a passive participant, work towards contributing to the conversation eventually. Swain’s Output Hypothesis (1985) maintains that the development of a learner’s communicative competence depends on both input and output, as the latter can trigger the noticing of gaps and refinement. Therefore, actively engaging is encouraged.

• Communicate your correction preferences. Do this just as you would in a 1:1 language exchange. The group may already have some guidelines for corrections to help facilitate a more cohesive conversation flow; if not, you can specify how you’d like them communicated when you first start speaking.

• Try to encourage others. You can do this by validating their ideas, asking follow-up questions, and inviting others to speak. Research by Annand (2011), "Social Presence within the Community of Inquiry Framework,” found that supportive climates boost social presence and willingness to communicate, which are both associated with increased fluency.

• Use the platform tools available. In larger group language exchanges on supportive platforms like Tandem, use the tools available (e.g., hand-raising tools, reactions with emojis). These help maintain equitable participation while preserving fluency and a smooth flow of conversation.

• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. As Orlando Rios, a Tandem Ambassador and Featured Language Parties Host, says, “Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Actually, we learn a lot from them and even in our native language we'll make them during our lives, take it easy, and move on!”

• Use spaced repetition. Review any notes you took during the exchange over the next few days to help solidify them in your long-term memory.

What to do when proficiency levels are uneven

You don’t need to engage in a group language exchange where everyone is on the same proficiency level for it to be beneficial. If you’re more fluent, ask more questions and give space to those who may need more help. Try to model natural phrasing and provide constructive feedback to those who ask for it. If you’re less fluent, lean on negotiation (“Do you mean…?” / “How do you say…?”) and pre‑plan a few stories to maximize talk time when it’s your turn.

Tips for leading a group language exchange

Successfully leading a group language exchange is about facilitation rather than formal teaching. The role of the leader is to create conditions for a supportive, inclusive conversation and gently guide the process. According to research from Jeanneau and O’Riordan (2015), "Peer-led Discussion Groups in Foreign Languages: Training International Students to Become Peer-Facilitators,” a facilitator should adopt a friendly, patient, and positive attitude, acting more like a moderator or host than a strict teacher for the most significant impact. Here are a few tips and considerations for those interested in leading a group exchange:

• Plan the structure and goals. Try to think about how the exchange will occur in advance. Will everyone practice one common language (e.g., English), or will the group switch between two languages? A common approach in bilingual exchanges is to split the session evenly between the two languages so that all participants get equal practice time. Making this clear at the start helps set expectations.

• Set ground rules together. At the beginning, establish a few simple guidelines with the group. For example: “Everyone should try to speak in the target language,” “Mistakes are part of learning,” and “Let’s make sure everyone has a chance to talk.” Research from the Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning highlights that agreeing on norms upfront creates more respectful and effective participation. Encourage inclusivity by reminding stronger speakers to allow space for others and by emphasizing active listening.

• Choose safe, engaging topics. A great strategy when leading a group language exchange is to talk about everyday themes like hobbies, food, or travel. Research from Jeanneau and O’Riordan (2015) suggests that learners are more engaged when topics are familiar, approachable, and connected to their own interests. If possible, you may even want to involve participants in choosing future discussion themes to boost motivation.

• Be ready to navigate the conversation. In natural conversation, it’s normal for the topic to lead to another discussion. As a facilitator, however, it’s important to be ready to gently steer the conversation to new topics if the current one slows down or if it’s excluding some members (e.g., a very niche topic only one person can talk about).

• Foster an inclusive environment. This is one of the most important leadership tasks for group exchange, as it can set the tone for the participants. Academic guidance on group facilitation from Jeanneau and O’Riordan stresses the importance of making every participant feel valued and safe, regardless of their skill level, so focus on inclusive language and helping others feel respected and valued.

• Guide the conversation, don’t lecture. Remember that group language exchange is not a formal class; it’s a peer-to-peer tool to help everyone improve their language skills. Help keep the conversation going, but try to let the participants do most of the talking.

Ensuring everyone gets attention and help in a big group

One common concern with larger conversation groups is that some people might stay passive or not get enough speaking time. In any group, there’s often a mix of outgoing participants and quieter ones, as well as varying proficiency levels that might affect how much someone speaks up. How can you ensure everyone gets the attention, practice, and help they need? The key is to be proactive in equalizing participation and providing supportive feedback when needed.

One of Tandem’s Featured Language Parties Hosts, Orlando Rios, provided feedback on how to encourage those who are more hesitant to get on the stage and speak. He responded by saying, “Usually I send them a text, saying like, ' Don't miss this opportunity, you already made an important step when you downloaded the app, now it's time to go ahead and start talking, I'm here to support you.’” This lets those who are very hesitant or shy know that the group facilitator is there to help, which can go a long way in reducing anxiety.

Research by Jeanneau and O’Riordan (2015) also emphasizes that facilitators have to regulate participants’ speaking time in group exchanges to avoid significant disparities. This can help ensure everyone involved walks away feeling like they were able to practice and grow in their language proficiency journey. Still, the way that a facilitator does this can make a big difference.

Stepping in when someone oversteps their time limit

In any group setting, there may be times when one participant inadvertently monopolizes the conversation. Enthusiasm is always encouraged, but group language exchanges should be fair, with a balanced discussion from all participants. This can mean facilitators need to intervene if or when someone goes on too long or repeatedly interrupts others. Doing this tactfully, however, is essential to reset the balance without discouraging or embarrassing anyone.

While enthusiasm is great, part of the facilitator’s job is to ensure fairness and keep the conversation balanced. That can mean intervening if someone goes on too long or repeatedly interrupts others. Doing this tactfully is key, though, as you want to reset the balance without discouraging or embarrassing anyone.

• Recognize and redirect. Monitor speaking time and, if one participant dominates, step in at a natural pause. Use polite, inclusive phrasing such as: “Thanks for sharing that, let’s hear from others too.” This both acknowledges the contribution and opens space for others.

• Manage interruptions. If someone cuts others off, calmly reassign the floor: “Let’s hear [Name] finish, then we’ll come back to you.” In larger groups, explicitly allocating turns can prevent overlap and preserve fairness.

• Summarize and pass the baton. Reframe a dominant speaker’s point briefly and redirect the discussion. For example, you can say: “So you found language exchange helped your pronunciation. What do others think?”. This validates the speaker while inviting more participation from other members.

• Encourage peer support. Foster a culture where participants invite quieter members to speak. If dominance persists, a private follow-up can be effective, especially one that acknowledges enthusiasm while stressing the need for balance.

• Maintain composure. Intervene respectfully, without shaming. A calm, neutral tone prevents tension and protects group cohesion. As the Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning notes, facilitation emphasizes that preventing domination and managing interruptions are key moderator responsibilities.

Ultimately, making the most out of group exchanges comes down to balancing structure and fairness while contributing to an inclusive, respectful environment. You should have enough guidance to keep things equitable and purposeful, but not so much that you stifle the natural flow of conversation. Still, as the research shows, the effort is worth it, as participants in well-run language exchange groups not only improve their language skills but also gain confidence, cross-cultural understanding, and even long-standing friendships.