Language Partner Memorandum of Understanding

What a good one includes

• A precise breakdown of how meeting times will be split equally between both languages to prevent one partner from dominating the conversation.
• The agreed frequency, duration, and specific communication platforms you will use for your virtual or in-person sessions.
• Clear guidelines on how and when to offer feedback, specifying whether corrections should happen in real-time or be saved for the end of the session.
• A list of preferred discussion topics alongside any sensitive subjects or boundaries that are strictly off-limits to ensure a comfortable learning space.
• A polite cancellation and rescheduling protocol that respects each other's academic commitments and busy exam periods.
• A brief statement of individual learning objectives so you can actively help each other reach specific fluency milestones.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to define an equal time split, which often results in one partner unintentionally using up the entire session practicing their target language.
• Being too vague about correction preferences, leading to frustration if one partner feels constantly interrupted or, conversely, receives no feedback at all.
• Neglecting to set a cancellation policy, which quickly leads to missed sessions and a decline in mutual commitment during busy university exam weeks.
• Treating the agreement like a rigid legal contract rather than a flexible, friendly framework designed to support mutual growth.

Frequently asked questions