It’s Tandem, not Tinder! Interrogating Authenticity and Trustworthiness of Language Exchange Applications in Adult Learners: A Central Asian and Middle Eastern Perspective

Abstract

Language exchange is based on teaching (the native language) and learning (the foreign language) in tandem. There are numerous language exchange applications (LEAs) on smartphones that connect language exchange partners from all over the world. This study investigates the trustworthiness of these applications and whether they are genuinely used for exchanging the target language or used as a camouflage for finding friends and building relationships. The study was conducted using a case-study approach focusing on two identical language exchange applications. Research tools included questionnaires and observation. The participants were active LEA users and included male and female language learners. The empirical data collected from LEAs and the qualitative data analysis will first look into application authenticity, user honesty and the most common misuse of the LEAs. It then attempts to gauge users’ attitude towards LEAs. Finally, it puts forward some recommendations for implementing LEAs amongst application developers, educators and adult learners.