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Tandem (app)

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Tripod Technology GmbH
Tandem Logo
Type of site
Language Exchange Platform Privately Held Corporation
Available in
[1]
HeadquartersBerlin,
Germany
Founder(s)Arnd Aschentrup, Tobias Dickmeis, Matthias Kleimann
IndustryE-Learning, Online Education
ServicesLanguage exchange, Online tutoring, Tandem language learning, Online learning community
URLwww.tandem.net
RegistrationRequired (free)
LaunchedFebruary 2015; 9 years ago (2015-02)
Current statusActive
Native client(s) onAndroid, iOS

Tandem is a language exchange app on iOS and Android that connects language learners with native speakers.[2] Members can search for language exchange partners to talk to by either text or voice chat[3] As of October 2023, the app supports more than 300 languages, including 20 sign languages, 20 indigenous languages and six fictional ones, such as Mandalorian or Klingon.[4]

It is widely known for its untransparent moderation policies leading to lots of people being banned without any explanation, specifically after buying "pro" membership, while support team doesn't even bother answering to concerns of members automatically discrediting them.

History

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Tandem was founded in Hannover in 2014 by Arnd Aschentrup, Tobias Dickmeis, and Matthias Kleimann. Now headquartered in Berlin, Tandem launched its mobile app on iOS in 2015, followed by Android in 2016. Prior to Tandem, Aschentrup, Dickmeis, and Kleimann founded Vive, a members-only mobile video chat community.[5]

In 2015, Tandem closed a seed round of €600,000 from angel investors, including Atlantic Labs (Christophe Maire), Hannover Beteiligungsfonds, Marcus Englert (Chairman Rocket Internet), Catagonia, Ludwig zu Salm, Florian Langenscheidt, Heiko Hubertz, Martin Sinner, and Zehden Enterprises.[6] In 2016, an additional €2m was raised from new investors, Rubylight and Faber Ventures, as well as existing investors Hannover Beteiligungsfonds, Atlantic Labs, and Zehden Enterprises.[2]

In 2018, Tandem introduced Tandem Pro, a subscription-based offering to access all the language learning features available on the app.[citation needed]

In July 2020, Tandem closed a €5 million (~$5.7 million) Series A funding round led by Brighteye Ventures, a European education technology fund - along with Trind Ventures, Rubylight Limited, and GPS Ventures.[7]

Concept

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The Tandem app and its name were inspired by Tandem language learning, a method of learning a language through language exchange. In a language exchange or a tandem, each person is a native speaker of the language the other person wants to learn. The discussion is divided equally between both languages to ensure both partners are able to learn their target language. The Tandem app is supported by Tandem Fundazioa, the organization that developed the tandem language learning method.[8]

Features

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Tandem requires its members to submit an application before being accepted into the Tandem community.[9] As part of Tandem’s moderation policy, each application is individually reviewed.[10]

Once accepted, Tandem presents its members with a stream of potential Tandem partners who are native speakers in the language they want to learn. Members can then chat with their Tandem partners via instant messaging, voice messages, audio calls, and video calls.[11] The list of partners can also be refined using location,[12] age and gender filters.

Reception

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In 2015, Tandem was named in Apple’s “Best Apps of 2015”.[13] Tandem was also recognized as one of Google Play’s “Best Apps of 2017”.[14]

Awards

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In 2018, Tandem received an award from the German initiative Deutschland - Land der Ideen in their “Ausgezeichnete Orte im Land der Ideen” competition.[15] This initiative recognizes the top ideas and projects in Germany that encourage the interconnection of cultures and an open-minded society.[16]

Criticism

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Tandem has received criticism for not accepting members into the community immediately. In some countries, there is a waiting list and applicants can wait up to 7 days for their application to be processed by the human moderators.[17]

Languages Available on Tandem

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There are 300 languages available to learn on Tandem.[18] The most popular language pairs (in order of popularity) are: English – Spanish, Spanish – Portuguese, English – Chinese, English – French, and Chinese – Japanese.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Tandem Language Exchange App | Find Conversation Exchange Partners". Tandem - Speak Any Language. Retrieved 2020-02-24. Interface languages provided by the Tandem analytics team in 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Tandem is a messaging app where language learners chat". TechCrunch. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  3. ^ "How to Study a Language So You Can Actually Understand It". Lifehacker. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  4. ^ "Language exchange app Tandem raises £4.5m Series A". UKTN (UK Tech News). 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  5. ^ "Vive, The Mobile App That Lets You Video Chat With Strangers, Raises $1.5M". TechCrunch. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  6. ^ Jolin, Lucy (2017-03-07). "From busuu to Babbel, language-learning startups adapt to thrive". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  7. ^ "Tandem snags $5.7M for its language buddy app amid COVID-19's e-learning boom". TechCrunch. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  8. ^ "Tandem language exchange - Tandem Fundazioa - All about tandem language exchanges - Tandem Foundations material for free Tandemcity - Home - Tandem language exchanges and peace - Intercambios de idioma tándem y paz - Tandem-Sprachaustausch und Frieden". Tandem language exchange - Tandem Fundazioa. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  9. ^ "Inside The Tandem Language Exchange App: A Full Review by Fluent Language". Fluent Language Learning with Kerstin Cable. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  10. ^ "FAQ". Tandem - Speak Any Language. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  11. ^ "Tandem International Programme - Istituto Venezia". www.istitutovenezia.com. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  12. ^ "The best language-learning apps and websites to try". Matador Network. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  13. ^ "Apple's 25 Best iPhone Apps of the Year". Time. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  14. ^ "Best Social - Android Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  15. ^ "Tandem Language Exchange". land-der-ideen.de (in German). Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  16. ^ "Landmarks in the Land of Ideas". land-der-ideen.de (in German). Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  17. ^ King, Stephanie L. (2020-03-25). "Fire Up One of These Language Apps For At-Home Learning". Oprah Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  18. ^ "Language exchange app Tandem raises £4.5m Series A". UKTN (UK Tech News). 2020-07-29. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
  19. ^ "Tandem snags $5.7M for its language buddy app amid COVID-19's e-learning boom". TechCrunch. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-01.
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