Friends
Open to language exchange
About Mandarin for English, intermediate
Language exchange
Find a language exchange partner in Singapore
Singapore is a good place to practise Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Korean, Japanese and more, if you can find someone to talk to. Post a Language exchange card, say what you speak and what you want to learn, and meet people nearby.
Post your first cardHow it works
Free · 18+ · Area only, never your exact spot
Why it works
- Say what you speak and what you want to learn in one short card.
- Meet in your area, or use a video call card for practice from home.
- Women-only cards are available if you prefer.
- You choose your partner, and chat opens only on a mutual yes.
Cards you could post
Examples to start from. Change the details to suit you.
Friends
Open to language exchange
About Korean for English over coffee
Friends
Open to video call
About Japanese practice, 30 minutes each way
Friends
Open to language exchange
About Malay conversation, beginner
Ideas
Open to coffee chat
About planning a move to Japan or Korea
Good places to meet
- Japan Creative Centre: 4 Nassim Road. Its library of Japan-related books, music and films is free for public reference.
- Alliance Française de Singapour library: 1 Sarkies Road. Open to the public; borrowing is for members. Closed Sundays and public holidays.
- Malay Heritage Centre: 85 Sultan Gate, reopened on 25 April 2026. Galleries open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, free for citizens and PRs.
- Central Public Library: National Library Building basement, open 10am to 9pm. Good for picking up graded readers before a session.
- Tanjong Pagar Road: Singapore's best-known strip of Korean restaurants, handy for a Korean-English meet-up over a meal.
Tips
- Split the time evenly, for example 30 minutes in each language, and agree the split before you start.
- Bring a few topics or a short article to talk about so the conversation does not stall.
- NLB runs book clubs in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil at public libraries, which can be good practice alongside one-to-one chats.
- Meet somewhere public and fairly quiet, like a library cafe or a weekday coffee shop, rather than a loud bar.
- Be clear about your level in your card so you find a partner who matches.
Questions
Which languages can I practise?
Any you like. Write the language you speak and the one you want to learn in the topic, such as Mandarin for English or Japanese for Malay.
Can I practise online instead?
Yes. Choose Video call as the activity if you would rather practise from home, then meet in person later if you both want to.
Is language exchange a dating thing?
Not on its own. Language exchange cards are in Friends mode unless you choose otherwise. If you want romance, use Date mode so expectations are clear.
Related guides
Sources
- Embassy of Japan: About Japan Creative Centre
- Alliance Française de Singapour: Library
- Malay Heritage Centre
- NLB Reading Nation: Book clubs
- NLB: Central Public Library
Checked October 2026. Opening hours and rules change, so check before you go.