Using Craiglist for Language Learning!!

Similar to other worth while endeavors learning a language is not easy it is fraught with dead ends, jungles and small victories. One of my main concerns with learning spanish was that I would not be able to find someone with whom to practice spanish. I've signed up for several online language exchange sites such as italki, The Mixxer, polyglot club and lingo zone. Thus far, I have not been able to schedule any language exchanges on the site. In general I found navigating all the sites at once a little overwhelming. I think I will have to focus on one site each week.

When I realized that making connections via, the online community would be more difficult than I originally thought I decided to find local language partners. Enter....Craiglist. I took 20mintues to write up an ad in spanish. I filed my ad under the platonic personal ad section. I've copied by exact ad below for your reference (Feel free to correct any grammatical errors).

From this ad I received maybe 10 responses. All of which, were men. Maybe 50% of these men were looking for dates. However, all of the men were repectful. None of them sent me any penis pictures which, in this sexting epoch is a miracle.  If I were to post another add I would stress that I'm only looking for platonic relationships.


"Hola!

Estoy un estudiante de español. Estoy buscando por alguien que puede hablar con migo in español. Mi nivel de español es muy básica. Si tu quieres aprender ingles puede ayudarte en intercambio.

Por favor mandame un sms o e-mail si tu estas interesada. 


Please send me text or e-mail if you're interested."

I posted the ad on Monday night and had my first language exchange on Wednesday. In addition, to that I was able to have multiple text conversations. I have an exchange with a new person scheduled for tomorrow. Craiglist is a viable options for those of you looking to connect with someone on a local level. Also, learn from my mistakes and stress in your add that you are only looking for platonic relationships...unless you're single and looking. I've heard that one of the quickest ways to learning a language is to get a boyfriend/girlfriend who speaks the language :-). Just be sure to meet the person in a highly public place. Use common sense and you should be fine. 


Saludos!