The Language Exchange with a Kitchen Timer

Sofia joined a language exchange to practise English, while her partner, Will, wanted to practise Romanian. They met in a quiet café every Wednesday. During their first meeting, they spoke English almost all the time. Will was friendly and asked many questions, so Sofia did not notice the imbalance immediately.

The following week, she brought a small kitchen timer. She felt awkward placing it beside their cups, but she explained that both people should get practice. They agreed on fifteen minutes in each language, followed by a short discussion about useful expressions. Will seemed relieved that she had raised the subject.

When the timer rang during an interesting story, they were tempted to ignore it. Instead, they wrote down the topic and continued in Romanian. Will struggled with a few details, and Sofia had to resist finishing his sentences. She realised that waiting could be a useful part of helping someone learn.

After several meetings, they no longer needed the timer for every change. However, it stayed on the table as a friendly reminder. Their conversations became slower but more balanced. Sofia learned how to explain a misunderstanding in English, while Will finally finished his long story about a camping trip. It took two languages and three Wednesdays to reach the ending.