You can do it in a cafe, in a bar or on a bench in a park. It can be done via e-mails, chat rooms or video conferencing. It can involve two or even 10 people. It is free, doesn't need textbooks, and there's no classroom pressure. It is a great way to meet new friends, learn about different cultures and have fun.

Language exchange has become one of the most popular ways of learning another language. This type of language immersion, also known as tandem language learning, is now considered one of the most effective alternatives to traditional classroom learning. It offers more opportunities for conversations than the often boring role-play book exercises of classrooms. There is no need for a teacher, as each participant acts both as a teacher and a student. Traditional language exchange usually involves spending time abroad and interacting with native speakers. One of the perks of living in a cosmopolitan city like Shanghai is its multiculturalism. It is easy to find friends from different corners of the world.

The renowned University Duisburg-Essen is one of the many European institutions now offering language exchange options. The university's website says language exchange partners are both experts for their respective languages and cultures. "Together they may choose to read aloud, discuss particular topics that interest them, correct mistakes, suggest improvements, practise conversations or undertake any number of other activities. By communicating with your language partner, you not only learn the language but also about your partner's everyday life, their experiences at work, school and in their spare time, their thoughts and opinions. Learning in tandem gives you a firsthand account of everyday life in an unfamiliar country and an opportunity to ask questions about different traditions and customs."

The website goes on to warn that this is a different method of learning from traditional teaching. "It is always worth remembering that your language partner is not meant as a substitute for a dictionary. Your partner does not know everything and may make mistakes - just like you."

Immediate feedback

"One of the advantages of language exchange groups is the immediate feedback about possible areas of improvement in pronunciation and word choice," said Chris Cao, a student from Shanghai who regularly attends language exchange groups to improve his English and French. "This kind of feedback is not always available in classrooms with large numbers of students and only one teacher." Many language learners find the atmosphere of small groups helps them learn a language faster and more efficiently.

Chris Cao, 22, was born and raised in Shanghai and has just graduated from university. At the end of the summer he will move to Paris to continue his postgraduate education. He has been learning English since he was 10 but most of the time it was at school in a group of more than 30 students. "Learning a language at school in a big group with just one teacher will not teach you practical things," Cao said. "I knew I was going to go abroad to study and needed to practise my English. I felt like what I learnt at school just wasn't enough.

"I started attending weekly meetings in one of the bars in the former French concession. The organizer was a very friendly Australian lady, with whom I have become good friends, but unfortunately she is not in Shanghai anymore," Cao said. "We would meet every Sunday afternoon, chat for a few hours about how our week had been, what we had done, what movies we had watched, and anything else that came to mind. It was just an informal chat, one that you would have with your friends, without the pressure of the classroom. After practising our speaking for a few hours, we used to stay in the bar and hang out for another hour or so, have dinner and drinks together, just like friends do."

While language exchange has become very popular in recent years, it is not a recent phenomenon. The great 17th century English poet John Milton used to give the theologian Roger Williams conversations in Hebrew, Greek, Latin and French, and have chats in Dutch in exchange.

Rebecca Carden, a 23-year-old student of Putonghua in Shanghai, said there are many advantages with learning foreign languages through language exchange. "First of all it's free and there are no boring grammar books to study. You learn slang and colloquial expressions you don't usually learn in a language class. It's the fastest and most effective way to improve a foreign language and meet new people," she said. "I don't like studying in a boring class. I want my teacher to be passionate and push me to study further. That is how language exchange works."

Carden moved to Shanghai nearly one year ago. "I moved here with my parents. I graduated from a university in the UK and left all my friends behind. I had to start all over again and find new friends here," she said. That was one reason why Carden decided to attend a language exchange group. "One of my mom's friends told me about the language exchange groups and said I had to try it out. I thought it was a great idea to make new friends. My dad was at work, my mom had her friends and I was bored alone at home," she said.

She was also hoping to learn a bit of Putonghua at the same time. After six months of weekly language meetings, her Putonghua skills are basic, but at least she can tell taxi drivers her address and order food in restaurants, she smiled.

"I know my Chinese is not great but it takes time to learn it and the language group definitely helped me to get the basics," Carden said. This summer she decided to enroll in a language course in Jiao Tong University to polish her skills. "The best thing that I got from the weekly meetings was the people that I met from all over the world. I have never had so many friends from so many different countries," she said.

Many options

Shanghai offers plenty of options to find partners for language exchange. You can either join one of the organized groups that meet in cafes or bars, or find an online partner on one of the expat websites. A recent search on the Enjoy Shanghai website produced a list of 134 language exchange ads where you can find would-be language students willing to exchange their Spanish, French, English, Italian, Russian, Japanese and Korean skills.

The growth of technology and Internet social networks means that language exchange doesn't have to be in person anymore. Language learning social networks now offer students the ability to find partners around the world just by sitting in front of their computers. Chat rooms, video conferences and e-mails allow eager learners to search online for native speakers. It is easy to find someone to practise languages through one of the language forums. Just one click and you can practise your language skills for free with someone who wants to practise his or hers in exchange.

One website, www.conversationexchange.com, allows you to meet partners for language exchange in Shanghai, whether it's face-to-face, via e-mail or Skype. Song Shaoyun is a Putonghua teacher at Shanghai's Mandarin Garden language exchange school. "Each learner comes from a different country, has a different background and has a different learning purpose. They learn from each other about their country's history, culture and customs," she said. "Classes are generally one-on-one. Putonghua is exchanged for any language that our foreign students speak. The classes last for two hours. The partners switch teacher and student roles after an hour. I think language exchange is the best way to learn a foreign language and you get to meet interesting new friends."

Culture included

Lingo Bistrot is another Shanghai language exchange venue. Lingo is a cafe, a restaurant and an English salon all in one. It organizes events every night like English corners and culture classes. English corners give learners an opportunity to practise their English skills by engaging in conversations with native English speakers. Culture classes give people an opportunity to present the cultures of their own countries so they can discuss aspects including history, traditions, foods, or national holidays. "For now, English is the only language we offer at our meetings, but we are thinking about expanding to more languages," said Yang Shui, who runs the English corner.

Another language exchange event is the language and cultural exchange party at the Lavazza Coffee Shop in the Shanghai International Trade Center. It is held every Sunday, from 2 pm to 5 pm. For 30 yuan ($4.72) visitors can enjoy a coffee and a chance to meet people from all over the world while practising Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English.

"There is no doubt that learning languages is valuable in more ways than one," said Rebecca Carden. "Unfortunately, learning a new language takes time and, very often, a lot of money. Classes, textbooks, tutoring - it all adds up. That is why I like language exchange groups. They can save you both time and money and in the meantime you can end up with a bunch of great new friends."

Shanghai's corners for conversations

Famous as one of the most international cities in China, Shanghai has long been a city where people from different cultures and countries flock. For those interested in twisting their tongues in different languages, there are many places in the city that offer the language exchange experience.

Mandarin Garden

Free, one-on-one, language classes. Putonghua in exchange for your native language. Times can be scheduled individually.

Address: 3rd Floor, the New Chinese Building, 1358 Yan'an Road West

Tel: 5258-9881

Website: http://www.mandaringarden.org/

Lingo Bistrot

Weekly English corner and culture classes. Book online in advance. Prices vary depending on the length of the membership.

Address: Level 1, Ciro's Plaza, 388 Nanjing Road West near Huangpi Road North

Tel: 6334-5066

Website: http://www.lingobistrot.com/

Lavazza Coffee

Held every Sunday, from 2 pm to 5 pm. Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English. The 30 yuan charge covers coffee or other beverages.

Address: 1st floor, Shanghai International Trade Center, 2201 Yan'an Road West near Loushanguan Road

Tel: 1351-2191-980

Website: http://kanichi.jp/?m=pc&a=page_o_home