What is the TANDEM project about?
The project is organized jointly by the International Relations team and the language teachers and gives students the opportunity to find language partners. Groups of two students are formed (one local student + one international student).
How does it work?
It’s very simple: students interested in the project will be invited to meet native speakers, then, depending on the languages they speak, they will be paired up with a student from another country, for the duration of one semester. From then on, the two partners are expected to spend at least 2 hours a week together, doing whatever they want but communicating in both languages.
Why do it?
A lot of exchange students are looking for French native speakers so they can practice the language. For French native speakers, it’s an opportunity to speak another language on a regular basis. In both cases, it’s a chance to strengthen their international experience and multicultural skills.
How can you register?
You should contact Elena Leibowitch (International Relations, Office C114 (Building C - Ensimag) who, with the help of the language teachers, will organize the first meeting so you can get to know the other students and find a language partner. More information about the project will be given to you then.
Useful information
Objectives
►Improving language skills
►Discovering another culture and developing one’s awareness of one's own culture
►Improving the integration of foreign students
►Preparing for an international experience
►Discovering another culture and developing one’s awareness of one's own culture
►Improving the integration of foreign students
►Preparing for an international experience
Who can do it?
Foreign students hosted at Ensimag (exchange students, double degree students, international masters' students...), but there’s also a possibility to extend this to foreign students hosted at another Grenoble institution.Regular French speaking Ensimag students, no nationality criteria.
Mother tongue or advanced level (level C1-C2).
Ex: a "tandem" French student - Polish student can exchange in English and in French if the Polish student has at least a level C1 or C2 in English.
Instructions
- You should spend at least two hours a week together, at Ensimag or outside, doing different types of activities.
- Mid-term assessment.
- At the end of the semester: 2500-word blog or report, written together in both languages; oral defence of the project, with language teachers and International Relations members.
- Evaluation: 1 ECTS credit.
Key dates
- Start of registration: January 27, 2025
- Deadline for registration: February 5, 2025
- Tandem lunch: February 13, 2025
- Mid-term review: March 17, 2025
- Final essay /blog: May 7, 2025
- Oral presentations by students: May 15 (afternoon), 2025
FAQs
- How can I meet my Tandem partner?
Each semester you can join the “Pot Tandem”. There you can meet your future partner and discuss with students who have experienced the project before. The International Relations team can also help you find a partner among all the school’s international students.
- How can I register?
At the beginning of the semester, you can register at the International Relations Department. You will then receive a message officially confirming your participation.
- How does it work?
You will meet in pairs regularly (at least 2 hours a week). You will then exchange in both languages equally. The two partners will agree on the terms, objectives and frequency of the meetings. You will then report about your activities and experience in a blog or a written account. Then, at the end of the semester you will defend your project in front of a jury.
- What about the activities?
You can meet at school, in a café, in a park, at home… You can also practice sports or do any cultural activities, go to student parties with friends etc. Listen to your imagination, anything is possible, and… in case you need help, we’re here!
- Language level
The main idea is to improve your skills in a language you have already practiced for some time. This project is not recommended to real beginners.
How can I make the most of this project: a few tips
- Try to agree on an organisation right from the beginning, and stick to the plan. Most students decide to speak both languages during the first half of the session and then they switch. Others would rather speak language per session and they alternate.
- Mistakes and corrections
Before you meet for the first time, do not forget to discuss how to deal with language mistakes; let your partner know when and how you would like him/her to correct them.
- Do not forget to take pictures for the blog/account.
When you meet, you will have plenty of occasions to take pictures to illustrate your work.