Tandem (app)

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Tripod Technology GmbH
Online platform for language learning through language exchange
operator Tripod Technology GmbH
editorial staff Arnd Aschentrup, Tobias Dickmeis, Matthias Kleimann
Registration Required (free)
On-line February 2015; 5 years ago (currently online)
http://www.tandem.net/de/

Tandem is an application for the iOS and Android operating systems that connects language learners with native speakers. Members can search for language partners and interact with them via text and audio messages or video calls. The app is currently available for over 160 languages, including sign languages ​​(as of April 2020).

history

Tandem was founded in 2014 by Arnd Aschentrup, Tobias Dickmeis and Matthias Kleimann in Hanover . Tandem is now headquartered in Berlin . The app was first published for mobile devices with the iOS operating system in February 2015 and has also been available for Android devices since 2016. Before founding Tandem, Aschentrup, Dickmeis and Kleimann developed Vive , a member-only mobile video chat community.

In 2015, Tandem completed its first financing round (seed financing) for 600,000 euros. The investors involved included business angels such as Atlantic Labs (Christophe Maire), Hannover Beteiligungsfonds, Marcus Englert (Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rocket Internet SE ), Catagonia, Ludwig zu Salm, Florian Langenscheidt, Heiko Hubertz, Martin Sinner and Zehden Enterprises. In 2016, the company received a further 2 million euros from the new investors Rubylight and Faber Ventures as well as from the existing investors Hannover Beteiligungsfonds, Atlantic Labs and Zehden Enterprises.

The premium membership Tandem Pro has been available since 2018, offering members unrestricted access to all language learning functions of the app on a subscription basis.

Learning approach

The tandem app owes its name to the tandem language learning method , in which language learning takes place in language exchange. In a language exchange or language tandem, two people with different mother tongues meet and want to learn the other person's language. The conversation will be held equally in both languages ​​to ensure that both partners can learn their target language. The tandem app is supported by the Tandem Fundazioa, the developers of the tandem language learning method.

Functions

An application is required to access the tandem community. Each application is checked by the community moderators within the framework of Tandem's specifications.

After the profile has been activated, Tandem introduces its members to a number of potential tandem partners who are native speakers in the respective target language. Members can then have conversations with their tandem partners via text and voice messages as well as audio and video calls. The selection of language partners can also be filtered by location, age and gender.

With Tandem Pro, users receive additional functions and the removal of advertising for a monthly fee.

public perception

In 2015, Tandem was one of Apple's “Best Apps of 2015”. Tandem was also named one of the “Best Apps of 2017” by Google Play. In January 2017, the app had 1.2 million active users and 1.5 million downloads, according to Techcrunch magazine.

Awards

In 2018, Tandem was honored as part of the nationwide competition “Excellent Places in the Land of Ideas” of the initiative Germany - Land of Ideas . This initiative honors extraordinary ideas and projects in Germany that promote cultural exchange and make a valuable contribution to a cosmopolitan society.

criticism

Tandem has been criticized for its waiting times as members were not immediately accepted into the community. In some countries there is a waiting list and applicants have to wait up to 7 days for their application to be processed by the community moderators.

Available languages ​​on tandem

Currently, more than 160 languages ​​can be learned on Tandem, which is likely to allow more than 11,000 language combinations.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c Tandem is a messaging app where language learners chat. In: TechCrunch. Retrieved May 7, 2020 (American English).
  2. ↑ Manuel Dürer: That brings learning apps for students . In: THE WORLD . March 19, 2016 ( welt.de [accessed May 7, 2020]).
  3. ↑ 10 apps that make quarantine life more beautiful | Freundin.de. April 16, 2020, accessed May 7, 2020 .
  4. ↑ Tandem is a messaging app where language learners chat. In: TechCrunch. Retrieved May 9, 2020 (American English).
  5. ↑ Well-known business angels invest in the Vive video chat community. October 8, 2014, accessed May 7, 2020 .
  6. ↑ Lucy Jolin: From busuu to Babbel, language-learning startups adapt to thrive . In: The Guardian . March 7, 2017, ISSN  0261-3077 ( theguardian.com [accessed May 7, 2020]).
  7. ↑ Tandem Language Exchange - Tandem Fundazioa - Everything about Tandem Language Exchange - Free material from the Tandem Foundation Tandemcity - Home - Tandem language exchanges and peace - Intercambios de idioma tándem y paz - Tandem language exchange and peace. Retrieved on May 7, 2020 (German).
  8. ↑ Inside The Tandem Language Exchange App: A Full Review by Fluent Language. Retrieved May 7, 2020 (UK English).
  9. ↑ FAQ. Retrieved May 7, 2020 .
  10. ^ Center for German Language and Culture eV: Center for German Language and Culture, German courses in Frankfurt, intensive courses, German, TANDEM, grammar, conversation, phonetics, preparation for B2, DSH, telc exams. Retrieved May 7, 2020 .
  11. ^ The best language learning apps and websites to try. Retrieved May 7, 2020 (American English).
  12. ↑ tandem | Find tandem partners online | The # 1 Language Exchange App. Retrieved June 26, 2020 .
  13. ↑ heise online: "The best of 2015": Apple names the apps of the year. Retrieved May 7, 2020 .
  14. ↑ Maximilian Kutter: Google is committed: These are the best apps of 2017. Accessed May 7, 2020 .
  15. ^ Tandem Language Exchange. Retrieved May 7, 2020 .
  16. ↑ Competencies. Retrieved May 7, 2020 .
  17. ^ Stephanie L. King: Fire Up One of These Language Apps For At-Home Learning. March 25, 2020, Retrieved May 7, 2020 (American English).
  18. ^ The CEO of Tandem Talks About Language Learning and Mobility. In: eLearningInside News. December 15, 2018, accessed May 7, 2020 .