How a language exchange works
You turn up at a bar, usually in the evening. You speak Spanish with someone who wants to practise English, then switch. Some events are structured, with rounds of 15 to 20 minutes and a host moving people around. Others are a busy bar where you just start talking.
Most are free. You buy a drink, and sometimes there's a small entry fee that includes one.
There are also one-to-one intercambios, where you meet a single person regularly, usually found through apps, Facebook groups or your language school.
What they're good for
- Speaking practice with real people. Much better than an app for getting comfortable talking.
- Meeting Spaniards. One of the few places where locals actively want to meet foreigners.
- A first social plan in a new city. Low pressure, cheap and every night of the week.
What they're not good for
- Real friendships. Most people come once, or rotate between different exchanges. You rarely see the same people twice.
- Quality. Free events with no host attract a lot of people who aren't really there to connect.
- Serious learning. You'll mostly practise small talk. Pair them with classes if you want to improve fast.
- A calm chat. Popular ones are loud and packed.
Long-running groups to try
Madrid has dozens of exchanges. These are some of the longest-running. Schedules and venues change often, so check their current pages before you go.
- Madrid Babel. Running since 2014. International evenings during the week and at weekends, plus trips and social events.
- Meet & Speak. Also running since 2014, popular with students and young expats.
- Spainglish and other Meetup groups. Structured rounds of 20 minutes per language, which suits people who find open bars intimidating.
- Language schools. Many schools run free exchanges for students and non-students.
- Cafés and bookshops. Several cafés in Malasaña and Chamberí host regular intercambio nights in a calmer setting.
Our take
Hot take: I'm not a fan. The big ones are free, there's no real host, and a fair few of the men there are more interested in chatting up women than practising their Spanish. If nobody pays, nobody makes much effort. Go for the practice if you want it, but don't expect your friends to come from them.
Tom, founder of Guiris de Mierda
How to get more out of them
- Go to the same one, on the same night, three times. Regulars exist. You need to become one.
- Arrive early. It's quieter, and organisers will introduce you.
- Ask questions, not just "where are you from". "What do you do on Sundays?" leads to plans. "Where are you from?" leads to a geography quiz.
- Swap numbers with one person you clicked with and suggest a one-to-one. A weekly coffee intercambio is where the real progress (and sometimes friendships) happens.
- Don't only speak English. If you're the expat, do your half in Spanish even when it's hard.
One-to-one intercambios
If big exchanges aren't for you, try a one-to-one:
- Find a partner through Tandem, HelloTalk, Facebook groups or notice boards at language schools.
- Meet somewhere public for an hour: 30 minutes in each language.
- Agree on a regular day and time. Consistency is the whole point.
- Choose someone with similar interests, not just the right language.
