Not only is Tandem concerned with language comprehension and learning, but equally with cultural understanding and knowledge. Accordingly, a critical analysis of itsthe competence component must also examine this second ‘leg’. In fact, it turns out that Tandem aids a change of perspective, with the comparison of one’s own and foreign points of view. Tandem learning exposes the participant to the native speaker's culture naturally providing an inviting informal environment for relaxed engagement. The autonomous nature of language exchange provides the participant to experience different perspectives of world views, which helps shape attitudes of respect, openness, curiosity, and discovery. This is also very helpful during translator training. Moreover, native speakers report an increase of awareness about their own language in the course of the Tandem. Therefore, it seems to be suitable as a ‘confidence booster’ in learning contexts.
