Nowadays, it's very easy to find apps designed to teach English or other languages through real-time conversations with native speakers.
Tandem is one such app, which has gained a large number of users in recent years, but can you really master English using only this app?
Here you'll find its advantages, disadvantages, and even some user reviews.
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What is Tandem and how does it work?
Tandem, launched in 2015, is a language exchange app designed to connect people worldwide who want to learn English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, and many other languages. The concept is simple: to master a language, you chat with a native speaker who is eager to learn your language in return. This creates a mutual learning experience, where both users help each other improve while discussing everyday topics like clothing, professions, or shared interests.
To start using the app, you’ll first need to create a profile where you share some of your interests and hobbies. From there, you can send or receive invitations from other users to begin chatting.
Tandem offers multiple ways to communicate—you can chat via text, send voice messages, or even have video calls. The goal is to help you read, listen, and engage with English spoken by native speakers who guide you throughout the learning process.
Characteristics of the method:
The creators of the app state that consistent practice allows users to quickly enhance their English skills.
However, Tandem does not provide structured lessons or guided content—your progress entirely depends on the conversations you have with other users.
The app only includes a translation feature to help you understand unfamiliar words or phrases, such as phrasal verbs.
While you can practice by listening to native speakers, relying solely on the app makes it challenging to achieve an advanced level of English.
How much does it cost to study at Tandem?
Tandem can be used in two ways: a free version and a paid subscription version with the following prices:
- $10.56 USD per month.
- $21.13 USD for three months.
- $52.77 USD per year.
The free option allows you to use the app with certain limitations, such as the number of chats you can start per week and certain restrictions on the use of the translation tool.
The paid version, on the other hand, offers you greater exposure to other users, so you can receive more invitations to chat. It also removes restrictions on chats and the use of the translator.
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Advantages and disadvantages of learning English with Tandem
Now let's talk a little about the advantages and disadvantages of using Tandem to learn English:
Advantages:
Available anywhere
The app can be used with a simple internet connection, whether on Android or iOS devices. You can connect with other users from anywhere without any problems.
Direct contact with native speakers
One of its best features is that it allows you to talk to native speakers of various nationalities, who will teach you authentic English while you discuss topics of interest such as recipes in English.
Improve listening comprehension
By listening to different pronunciations, you can get used to the sound of English in no time. This is only possible if you use voice notes or make video calls.
Disadvantages:
Not always available
Tandem claims that you can use the app at any time, but the truth is that this depends on the availability of other users, and it is usually not very easy to find a time when everyone is available to talk.
No teaching method
There, you won't find lessons with structured content designed by professionals. Everything you learn depends on other people who don't always know how to explain complex topics such as English verb tenses.
You can't learn on your own
The app is not designed for you to learn English on your own; you always depend on other external factors. This can significantly slow down your learning.
User reviews
If you really want to know how a language app works, the best thing you can do is look at user reviews.
In this regard, we found a variety of comments about the Tandem app, highlighting that there are people who are satisfied with the service they offer:
“The app is very good, it has many useful tools, and it is one of the few where paying for the premium version is more than worthwhile and inexpensive in my opinion. You can join clubs based on common interests to strengthen your language skills in a specific area, and you can also join “parties,” which are group calls that function like clubs but focus on practicing spoken conversation.”
However, this is not the case for all users. Many of them have complained about constant glitches in the application:
“The app is a disaster; it crashes every two seconds. It flags every action you take as an error (with a message saying “Sorry, something went wrong”), making it almost impossible to chat with anyone. I hope they fix it!”
Problems with messages and other technical issues make it very difficult to communicate fluently with users, which directly affects your learning:
“Although the app delivers on its promise of language exchange and learning, unfortunately it doesn't work well because messages either don't get sent, arrive late, or there are other problems with the chat. This is something that should be fixed, as it makes communication between people very difficult.”
Finally, it’s worth noting that there have been reports of individuals using the app with the intent to scam others.
“I met people on this app who were actually scammers. I think the app's filters need to be improved, with identity verification and so on. I was scammed out of a large sum of money by some Asians (Chinese and Thai) involved in online store businesses.”
In summary, we found positive reviews from people who had a pleasant experience chatting with other users, but this is not the norm. Many comments are complaints about constant failures when sending messages, as well as possible scams and even malfunctions in the translator.
In short, is it worth studying English with Tandem?
Tandem provides a valuable service by giving you the opportunity to interact directly with native speakers and learn authentic English.
However, the app does come with certain limitations, the most significant being that your learning depends entirely on the availability of other users.
Its flaws in the application constantly interfere with your learning, and you won't find any structured content that teaches you simple things like the difference between was and were.
We can say that the app is more of a supplement for you to practice, but it doesn't work as a formal course. That's why we want to give you a better alternative: Papora.
Why do we recommend learning English with Papora?
Papora is an online platform that allows you to speak English with the help of native-level teachers who adapt to your schedule and availability, receiving unlimited classes per month in small groups.
Our service is based on offering lessons that adapt to real-life situations. All this while you do dynamic and fun activities so that you remember everything you learn for longer.
Unlike Tandem, Papora offers content designed by specialists to help you improve your pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening comprehension simultaneously, without neglecting grammar.
Depending on the plan you choose, you can also access a self-guided course with more than 300 unique lessons so you can learn the language from anywhere with an internet connection.
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Frequently asked questions about Tandem:
Without a structured content guide, it is impossible to say how long it will take you to master English. This will depend on factors such as how much time you spend using the app and whether other users really help you learn the language.
The app can be downloaded and used for free, although in this mode you will have some limitations regarding the use of the translation tool. However, you can pay a subscription fee of $10.56 USD/month to remove the restrictions and improve the user experience.
