Job Discussion Forums

[DanielM]

Has anyone done one of these exchanges in Madrid? If so, how did it go?

I think it'd be a perfect way to learn Spanish for free (and also to practice your teaching skills). Not to mention the fact that you make a new friend which is always good!

If you did do it, how did you go about doing it? www.segundamano.es has a section online where you could see some examples of how it's done (the advertising). Actually, now that I think of it, it may be perfect for a newbie in Madrid 'cause you start to make contacts and friends that know others that know others, etc...

Here's a good article on it: http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0003/exchanges_languages_in_spain.shtml

[Moore]

There are quite a few intercambio nights organized around Madrid where you just go to a bar, often an Irish pub, and join in. Look in the InMadrid free expat newspaper (you can also pick this up in most Irish pubs) for ads for these nights.

[alliet]

I published an article at Loquo.com (a great Madrid classifieds website) for an intercambio exchange, and, literally, received 6 replies in less than an hour after the article was published! I am a female (and mentioned this in the ad)... and all of the 6 responses happen to be from men... should I be cautious of this? Do intercambios mean 'intercambios' or 'dates' to the Spanish men??? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[DanielM]

[alliet]

DanielM,
Below is that ad that I published:

Intercambio - Ingles y Espanol (Madrid City Center)
Reply to: [email protected] [Help]
Date: Wednesday, July 19 2006 22:15
I am a friendly young woman who would like to participate in an intercambio exchange. I can help you learn English - and you can help me learn Spanish! E-mail me! [email protected] or call 66 34 67 724.

No, I did not publish the ad before my arrival to Madrid - I have been here for three weeks and am just now getting to it! And the amount of responses is crazy!
Good luck if you decide to do the same.

[wildchild]

Alliet,

I am a friendly young man who would like to give you some advice.
Try getting a new email address and in your new ad, don't specify your gender!!!, that might help to weed out some of the horny ones.
The problem lies in that you state that you are a 'friendly young woman.' Why would you even put that? Seriously!!
And what do you mean by "friendly?" Do you see the promblem?
In the way that your ad is written, it does sound like an offer for a date. Could be a covert ad for prostitution

Well, good luck to you, you friendly young woman!!!

[CMB]

Whoops! I totally agree. When I first moved to BCN I had one or two uncomfortable "intercambios" which for [i]some [/i]Spaniards translates loosely into "combination dating service/free English class". Once I agreed to meet up with a fun-sounding girl my age named "Joan" and was shocked to find a short, embarrassed looking guy waiting for me at the bar with a ROSE ("Joan" in Catalan = Juan = boy. Learn from my mistakes!).

[d816ad]

Hi,

I've just moved to Granada and I am fairly sure there is no intercambio here - have asked everyone.

So, I am thinking of arranging an intercambio night. I'm not too sure of how it works really - is there any guidance anywhere for the content and format of this sort of thing

Just to check that the following section in Secundomano is where intercambio exchanges are most likely to appear:

� Inicio � Ense�anza � Idiomas � Demanda Clases Idiomas

thanks

[alliet]

Not sure about intercambios is Granada, however, based on my experience with intercambios in Madrid, the responses to your ad for a language exchange will most likely amaze you. I cannot believe how busy I have been in Madrid with intercambios since I posted an ad! Loquo.com as well as Segundamano.com both allow for you to post ads regarding intercambios. Not sure how you would arrange a group meeting or group intercambio... maybe post a date and place and time... and see how many people show up! Good luck! Have fun in Granada - it's a beautiful city!