Brussels hides a host of addresses where French, Dutch and English meet in a friendly, studious or festive atmosphere. Are you familiar with the concept of language exchange? From renowned language institutes to polyglot aperitifs, here are 3 different ways – from the most classic to the coolest – to spice up your language skills without ever getting bored.
Tandem Language Exchange: find your partner and progress together
Sometimes, the secret lies in simplicity: the “Tandem Language Exchange” lets you find a partner, often via an app or Facebook group, to practice the languages of your choice. Very popular in Brussels, this format appeals for its flexibility and conviviality. People meet in a park, café or library, for one or two hours a week. Each participant helps the other with his or her target language – French, Dutch or English as a priority – and progress becomes a real human exchange. An excellent way of breaking the ice, overcoming language barriers and building a circle of polyglot friends.
Maison de la Francité: a creative space for combining language and culture
Finally, for those looking to mix language learning and culture, head for the Maison de la Francité, a dynamic center near the Parc de Bruxelles. Here, theater workshops, French reading clubs and literary encounters invite you to engage in uninhibited dialogue. An intergenerational place, the Maison welcomes curious Bruxellois, expats and students from all over the world in a friendly, creative atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to improve your French while discovering the city’s cultural wealth… and why not take to the stage to perform your first monologue in French!
BlaBla Language Exchange: the multilingual, hyper-social event
It’s impossible to talk about language exchange in Brussels without mentioning the famous BlaBla Language Exchange! Every other Thursday, we meet at the bar Le Super, near Dansaert, for a 100% relaxed evening of chatting in French, English, Dutch… and sometimes other languages, depending on the evening’s audience. The principle is simple: you order a drink, join a group or change tables as the conversation takes you, all the while making new acquaintances at each edition. The organizers are on hand to help you find the perfect group, but the tone remains spontaneous and open to all, perfect for stress-free practice and ice-breaking.