There Is a Reason We Call It Language Exchanging
I have noticed the purpose of 'language exchanging' being beaten around a bit. Since the start of my time on italki, I have noticed this happening to countless people, and for those who are somewhat annoyed by this, here is a thread I believe you would like to see. A.k.a, I share your frustration.
Now, I have made it <em>pretty darn profound</em> that I would very much enjoy learning Japanese from people and of course sharing my English. Tons of notebook corrections and comments to help people improve with English has been something I actually find enjoyable. However, I notice that a <em>lot</em> of people (since the start of my account) have been trying to add me as a language partner just for their use of learning English, while I have strictly put on there that I am on this website to share and receive (Japanese on the receiving end).
Example:
"Hi! My name is Sal. You help with English?"
Please, I do not want to deal with this, and I believe that a majority of people here also would not like to, alright? What's wrong about this? You are offering to help me learn a language, which I can understand, but I have put on my account that I am looking for <em>Japanese</em> assistance. I also included friends on there, but you have come asking me for assistance with English, but to no courtesy of my desire to be assisted as well.
Look, I'm <em>totally</em> fine with helping you, but you could at least <em>acknowledge</em> that I have put in my bio that I am looking to <em>only</em> learn Japanese. I am not frustrated or mad at you in particular, but this entire time on this website, I have gotten <em>no help whatsoever</em> from anyone willing to assist me with Japanese, but rather loads of people requesting I teach them English, regardless of whether I will get anything in return--- their native language that I am not interested in learning or not. (And I do not say this with audacity, for all I have honestly done at this point is helped people with their English. Even the ones who came into my PMs asking me).
There is a reason that people have accounts shown as "teachers". They <em>teach</em> you the language <em>without you</em> having to give anything back in return (besides payment). Please go to them if you are only interested in making progress on your end, alright? There is a reason that it is called 'exchanging'.
Are Native Speakers better Than Non Native Speakers When Teaching You a Language?
<em>(This is my opinion, and I will not argue if you think otherwise...)</em>
Many people believe it is absolutely best to study from a native speaker when you are learning a new language. Regardless of how many years and days foreigners have taught themselves their fluency in something, people still go with native speakers.
Now, I can tell you that people who have submerged themselves in the <em>culture</em> and <em>environment</em> of that language are bound to be able to tell you what is often said and what is not. For example, some things are taught in text books or programs online for language that aren't actually spoken in the country itself, and perhaps slang is known to substitute it.
Honestly, we all know we want to take language sessions from someone who knows what they are doing and is familiar with the grammar and complicated parts of the language, but we all are bound to experience hardships in studying beyond your native tongue, and someone who just shares and instructs without having dealt with that stuggle themselves can often be a downside. You want someone who is able to slightly heal the difficulties you are having, and can at least <em>slightly understand your confusion</em>... While a person who has, since day one, heard [insert language] and learned to speak [insert language] throughout the rest of their years will not easily give you that plus of 'understanding'. Now, obviously, to communicate, you need to understand what that individual is speaking. And if you natively speak English and are teaching it to someone who speaks Spanish, <em>you must be able to speak Spanish yourself</em>. From that case, it seems like that would immediately crash my theory on that individual being unaware of language-learning struggles, but at the same time, not every language is the same, neither is every person, and there are many different subjects and parts that may confuse an individual that are separate from what you have learned. You literally learned Spanish to speak to them, right? Well, again, they natively speak Spanish, taking away that immense struggle for fluency that is felt when you are trying to learn a whole new tongue in your later years.
I'm not saying that natives aren't the right people to go to! I completely agree, but you also want to make sure that the individual that you are contacting can be able to satisfy your needs personally.
This is what makes online programs and non-human learning strategies most likely the last of your needs. For my example here, I am going to slightly bash Rosetta Stone. I have learned from native and experienced Japanese speakers that half of what I learned on the program was incorrect, yet I still wonder if maybe it is simply how I interpreted it that was wrong. The thing is, <em>I cannot ask Rosetta Stone questions</em> or resolve some sort of milestone blockage that I am coming across, for a learning program of the such isn't a <em>person</em>. Many Japanese learning books and programs that you can find are made by native speakers, and will obviously dare not to teach you incorrectly, yet still, personal struggles with your progress cannot be easily helped, for you can't <em>talk</em> to a book.
Honestly, there are so many methods out there to how you can learn a language, yet my best suggestion isn't necessarily someone who natively speaks that language you are looking to perfect, but someone who just knows it well and has put themselves in <em>the</em> surroundings of that kind of culture so they can help you with slang or terms that are not existent in the actual use.
