Language learning in language exchange partnerships : an exploratory study

Language exchange is admittedly an inaccurate term and may well confuse some readers. Broadly speaking, we use the term here to refer to ‘the process whereby native speakers of different languages meet or communi-cate in order to learn each other’s language(s)’.1 This process is referred to elsewhere as tandem learning and conversation exchange, but we prefer to use the term language exchange. Although this is not nearly as widespread a term as tandem learning, it does make it clear that different languages are involved, and uses vocabulary that is familiar to learners in Hong Kong.