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Tandem App

New Language Settings on Tandem: What’s Changing?

At Tandem, our mission is to connect the world through languages.

Whether you’re a seasoned polyglot with language partners across the globe or a beginner taking your first steps in learning a new language, we are here to support your journey.

A new way to connect

Starting in 2025, members can set one native language, one fluently spoken language, and one practicing language at a time.

Don’t worry if you’re multilingual—you can still change these choices once per day, so you’ll always have the flexibility to connect with new chat partners for any language combination over time.

This update aims to:

  • Make it fairer for everyone: Previously, members focusing on just one language combination often had a tough time finding matching chat partners, especially when competing with people learning multiple languages. This change levels the playing field and ensures everyone has the same chance to find great partners, no matter how many languages they’re working on.

  • Improve match quality: Members learning rare or specific language combinations (like Finnish <> Norwegian), often faced challenges in finding the right language partners, as their preferences were overshadowed by those learning multiple popular languages. By streamlining the language settings, we’re making it easier for members to connect with the right language partners, ensuring that rare or niche combinations are no longer a disadvantage.

Balancing match quality and flexibility

We understand that many of our most active and dedicated members thrive by engaging with multiple languages at once. For these “super-connectors,” Tandem has always been a platform to expand horizons and foster diverse connections.

While limiting language settings to three at a time may feel restrictive, this adjustment prioritizes accessibility for new members and enhances the overall experience for most.

It’s not just a tweak; it’s a transformative shift to ensure every interaction is intentional, meaningful, and rewarding.

Introducing enhanced Pro features

For our power users, we’re making Tandem Pro better than ever. Now, Pro profiles can highlight up to four native languages, four fluent languages, and ten learning languages, allowing true polyglots to shine. In addition, Pro profiles with multiple languages stand out even more, helping you make meaningful connections faster.

Many Pro members already enjoy features like Highlighted Profiles, which improve their reach within the community. These enhanced Pro benefits make it easier than ever to connect with chat partners across multiple languages.

Why this matters

It is a tough decision to make a beloved feature paid, but maintaining a high-quality experience for millions of learners worldwide comes at a cost.

It's thanks to our Pro members that we can keep Tandem a welcoming and inspiring place for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

We’re deeply grateful for our loyal and engaged community. Your passion for language learning and cultural exchange energizes us every day, and we’re excited to continue evolving Tandem to better serve you and future members.

Thank you for being part of the Tandem community and helping us bring the world closer, one conversation at a time.

Yours,

Team Tandem