※This page explains how Language Exchange works for Domestic Students
How it works:
①First, please read this whole page.
②If you would like to view the email addresses and other details of the international students registered on the International Student Language Exchange Partner Bulletin board, please submit the Access Request Form.
③After submitting the request form, the International Office will send you an invitation to view the International Student Language Exchange Partner Bulletin Board (within 1-3 weekdays of submitting the form). (You will get an email from the International Office). Once this is complete, you will become able to view the Bulletin Board that has the email addresses and other details of the registered international students.
※Only the information of international students will be posted to the Bulletin Board. The International Office is utilizing an Access Request Form in order to control access to the Bulletin Board and manage the registrants.
④View the International Student Language Exchange Partner Bulletin Board that has the email addresses and other details of the registered international students, and send emails to the international students that you would like to exchange languages with.
When you send the first email, please make sure to introduce yourself and suggest how you would like to exchange languages.
※International students can register at any time. Their information will be added to the bulletin board as soon as they register, so we recommend checking the bulletin board regularly.
⑤If you get a reply from an international student, discuss with them when and how you will exchange languages, and then start your language exchange!
※International students may get a lot of emails from domestic students. It may be difficult for them to exchange languages with all domestic students that contact them, so please understand that international students may not respond to everyone or may not accept your request. If that happens, try contacting another international student. If you email multiple international students and do not get any responses for at least 2 weeks, you can email Global Lounge staff at global-lounge@rikkyo.ac.jp and we can see if we can help connect you with a student.
⑥A survey will be sent to all users sometime during or at the end of the semester. Please answer the survey so the International Office can know how many users were able to do Language Exchange and if any changes need to be made.Rules and notes
Please decide with your partner how often and for how long to meet. However, we suggest meeting once per week and splitting the time evenly between both languages.
International students may get a lot of emails from domestic students, so international students are not obligated to become language partners with all domestic students that contact them. International students do not have to accept requests if they feel they have received too many requests. For both international and domestic students, if you exchange messages or talk once and you do not think it will work for you, you are not obligated to continue with that person. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable please contact the International Office by filling out this Consultation Form.
Available languages will depend on who signs up.
Do not share the contact information of anyone on the form with other people.
If you do language exchange in person, please make sure to have your first meeting on campus after discussing with your partner.
Do not speak in a way that discriminates against your partner based on prejudice or stereotypes about their country of origin, nationality, culture, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or push your personal opinions regarding these on your partner.
Tips
１．When you introduce yourself in an email to a potential partner, consider including the following:
Name
Where you're from
What language you are learning
What language you can help with
How you would like to do language exchange
Anything specific you would like help with
When and how often you would like to do language exchange
Write your email in both your native language and the language you are learning
＜Here is an example message from a domestic student whose native language is Japanese contacting an international students whose native language is English＞
こんにちは。私の名前はエスペンです。立教大学の日本人学生です。Language Exchangeの掲示板で○○さんのプロフィールを見て、ぜひLanguage Exchangeパートナーになれたらと思い、ご連絡しました。私は、昔から英語が好きで勉強を続けてきましたが、もっと日常会話が上手になって、将来は短期間でも留学がしたいと思っています。もしよければ、Zoomで週に１回1時間ほど、英語と日本語でお話ししませんか？○○さんは日本語を勉強しているということですので、ぜひ日本語の勉強をお手伝いしたいです。平日の午後5時（日本時間）以降は大体都合が良いです。もし興味があれば返信ください。宜しくお願いします！
Hi, my name is Spen. I’m a Japanese student at Rikkyo University. I saw your profile on the Language Exchange Bulletin Board and I am interested in being language partners. I have been learning English for a while but would like to get better at casual conversation, and in the future I want to study abroad. If possible I would like to meet for an hour once a week on Zoom, and I can help you with Japanese. I am free most weekdays after 5pm (Japan Time). Let me know if you are interested and I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
２．Sample topics: comparing the countries/places you are from, travel, favorites (music, movies, books, food, etc). You can also reference these topics for more ideas.
３．Think in advance about what format you would like for language exchange. Do you want to talk in one language for 30 minutes and then switch and use a timer to keep track, or do you want to mix both languages while having conversation and not worry about the time?
４．Be in charge of your own learning. Ask for explanations, don't be afraid to ask to repeat or slow down, and make an effort to speak so one person is not doing all the talking.
5. Focus on communication. Don’t correct grammar all the time or interrupt to correct, especially if the errors do not affect understanding. Ask your partner what they want you to focus on (grammar, pronunciation, how natural their speech is, etc).
6. By making a record of your language exchange each time, it can be easier to see results and plans for future meetings, and therefore become easier to keep up with your language exchange for longer. If you are interested, you can download a simple Microsoft Word document with a chart for making notes here. You can fill one out individually, or you can share a single document on Google Drive with your partner so you can view the same notes together.