Tips and materials for your language activity
For the Language Supporter
Gesturing, imitating, pointing
Try to keep to the language you are pracitcing as far as possible: Instead of changing language when you can't find a word, try rephrasing or using gestures instead. Imitate sounds, or point to objects in your surroundings to facilitate communication.
Enjoy the silence!
Don't be afraid of the silence, but instead give the learner time to think and find the correct phrasing.
Flawless feedback
How and when should you correct the language? Preferrably, when he or she can learn from it, for example when:
- they ask to be corrected
- you can't understand what they are saying
- they are looking for a specific word
- they make the same mistake repeatedly
There are many different ways to correct and support the learner. For example, you could:
- ask direct questions in order to better understand something that was unclear
- repeat an incorrect sentence in the correct way, without explicitly pointing out the mistake
- write down the language mistakes and discuss them at the end of your session
Take the initiative
Be an active participant in and try initiating different conversation topics:
- Ask questions! The learner might find it difficult to formulate topics themselves, and might need questions to get started.
- Suggest an activity or a game. A list of activities and exercises can be found further down this page.
Being a language supporter
For more extensive guiding on lanugage support, this PDF file you will find suggestions on what to consider in order to become a good language supporter.
Suggestions to coordinators for a successful language cafe pdf, 222.8 kB. (222 Kb)
For the Language Learner
General suggestions
- Ask for repeatintion or explaination if you couldn't quite catch what was said
- Repeat new words and phrases out loud, this will make them easier to remember
- Write down new words, phrases, and expressions
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes
Conversation topics and exercises
List of conversation topics
In this PDF file, you will find a list of suggested conversation topics to use any time you run out of ideas.
Language cafe conversation topic list pdf, 243.4 kB. (243 Kb)
Useful exercises for Language Buddies
To increase cultural understanding:
- Combine your tandem session with a visit to a cafe or restaurant, and talk about differences and similarities in your respective food cultures
- Go to the cinema or theater together in one of your languages
- Play a game like Scrabble or Monopoly together. Playing a game can effectively increase your cultural understanding while simultanously proving the opportunity to practise talking, listening, reading, and/or writing.
To develop vocabulary and increase reading comprehension:
- Read newspapers in your target language and discuss the articles with your tandem partner
- Read horoscopes in your target language and compare yours with your tandem partner's
- Solve crossword puzzles together or create your own. Crossword puzzles in different languages can be found online
To practise listening comprehension and oral language proficiency:
- Watch films or videos and discuss them with your tandem partner in the target language
- Talk on the phone with your tandem partner! Talking in the phone is different than talking face-to-face, and a tandem exchenge is perfect for practising this skill.
Resources available at Språkstudion
We have a number of different resources availiable for your use at Språkstudion.
As a language cafe coordinator, you are free to borrow the following for your cafe:
- Films
- Games
- Books
- VR glasses
- Dictionaries
- Newspapers
- Paper and pencils
Other suggested resources could be emailed to info@sprakstudion.su.se.
Last updated: 2026-07-14
Source: Jorunn Nilsson