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Study buddy - useful? motivational?

  Tags: Motivation
 Language Learning Forum : Learning Techniques, Methods & Strategies Post Reply
Aineko
Triglot
Senior Member
New Zealand
Joined 5440 days ago

238 posts - 442 votes 
Speaks: Serbian*, EnglishC2, Spanish
Studies: Russian, Arabic (Written), Mandarin

 
 Message 1 of 7
11 December 2010 at 10:43pm | IP Logged 
I was wondering if someone has experience with learning with an online study buddy and
how did it go? So, I mean someone who is learning the same language as you do, who is
on a more-less similar level and with whom you meet on skype weekly or fortnightly to
discuss your progress/difficulties/achievements.

I started thinking about this when I noticed that I get motivated from seeing that
another language learner is better at some grammar aspect than I am. So I thought maybe
the idea of two people dragging each other forward is worth considering.

I know that most of the people here are independent learners, but if someone had a
study buddy, I'd like to hear how they did it, how they organized their meetings, set
their goals etc.

(And if someone wants a study buddy for intermediate Russian, feel free to drop me a
message. Although I still don't know how it would actually work :) ).
1 person has voted this message useful



Rmss
Triglot
Senior Member
Spain
spanish-only.coRegistered users can see my Skype Name
Joined 6556 days ago

234 posts - 248 votes 
3 sounds
Speaks: Dutch*, English, Spanish
Studies: Portuguese

 
 Message 2 of 7
11 December 2010 at 10:54pm | IP Logged 
I've had several study buddies in the past, and although I prefer learning a language on my own, I didn't dislike having them around (well, around online...).

As I have an input-focused approach, I find it great to stay in touch with someone that uses the same approach and with whom I can share materials and such. So to stay motivated I'd definitely get a "study" buddy.

As for actually learning the language together... I'd go for a native speaker who can help you or a language exchange partner. Personally, I hate it to hear someone speak with poor grammar or with a poor accent...
1 person has voted this message useful



Aineko
Triglot
Senior Member
New Zealand
Joined 5440 days ago

238 posts - 442 votes 
Speaks: Serbian*, EnglishC2, Spanish
Studies: Russian, Arabic (Written), Mandarin

 
 Message 3 of 7
11 December 2010 at 11:00pm | IP Logged 
yes, approach is another thing that has to match for a successful study buddy
'relationship'.

Language exchange is a totally different thing and I personally don't like it that much
(I tried, it just didn't work for me). I prefer to pay for native online tutors.

I see study buddy more as motivational technique than anything else, so I was wondering
how other people got around it.
1 person has voted this message useful



leosmith
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6542 days ago

2365 posts - 3804 votes 
Speaks: English*
Studies: Tagalog

 
 Message 4 of 7
12 December 2010 at 5:38am | IP Logged 
Aineko wrote:
Language exchange is a totally different thing and I personally don't like it that much
(I tried, it just didn't work for me). I prefer to pay for native online tutors.

I have to confess that despite all my recommendations about getting Skype language partners, I have come to
the same conclusion. It's much more efficient and I can afford it, so I just hire native speakers online for
conversation. When I meet someone in real life though, it's usually a language partner.

Aineko wrote:
I see study buddy more as motivational technique than anything else, so I was wondering
how other people got around it.

I met a really good friend on this forum. He's a native English speaker living in Thailand. I visit him every time I
go to Thailand, and we go out looking for natives to talk to. It's extremely fun, and we get into lots of great
conversations. That's just when I'm in Thailand. All year round we exchange study ideas and tips on resources.
We are also somewhat competitive, and that can be very helpful. It makes me keep my skills up to speed so
that I won't fall too far below him. I highly recommend a study buddy of this sort.

PS - beloved cat? 愛猫 ? Just curious...
2 persons have voted this message useful



Aineko
Triglot
Senior Member
New Zealand
Joined 5440 days ago

238 posts - 442 votes 
Speaks: Serbian*, EnglishC2, Spanish
Studies: Russian, Arabic (Written), Mandarin

 
 Message 5 of 7
12 December 2010 at 9:03am | IP Logged 
leosmith wrote:

PS - beloved cat? 愛猫 ? Just curious...

just my love for SF ;)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerando_(novel)
1 person has voted this message useful



B-Tina
Tetraglot
Senior Member
Germany
dragonsallaroun
Joined 5519 days ago

123 posts - 218 votes 
Speaks: German*, English, French, Polish

 
 Message 6 of 7
12 December 2010 at 5:41pm | IP Logged 
Sounds like a great concept to me. Though I'd even go so far to say that the study buddies don't even have to share their target language - they can still share some general learning techniques and motivate each other not to fall behind their respective goals.

1 person has voted this message useful



leosmith
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6542 days ago

2365 posts - 3804 votes 
Speaks: English*
Studies: Tagalog

 
 Message 7 of 7
12 December 2010 at 7:55pm | IP Logged 
Aineko wrote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerando_(novel)

Cool. I might have to check that one out.


1 person has voted this message useful



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