Who are Conversation Partners?
Conversation Partners are people of all ages who are interested in meeting people from different cultures. Previous volunteers have included university students and staff, local middle school and high school students, and other members of the community. Informal conversation with fluent English speakers is an important aspect of learning the language. Students need to hear English and practice with their peers in personal and informal settings. Many of our previous students and Conversation Partners have formed lasting friendships. Volunteering to be a Conversation Partner is a way to experience another culture without ever leaving the Storrs campus. Who knows, you may end up visiting our students in their countries someday!
What do Conversation Partners do?
Conversation Partners play an important role in UCAELI students’ English education. Objectives for the Conversation Partner time connect with UCAELI’s Communication Skills course objectives. Partners who join Conversation classes will be guided by a UCAELI instructor on how to participate in each class. Generally, partners will be placed with a small group of UCAELI students who will have some questions or conversation strategy to practice relating to something they are learning in their Communication Skills classes. Topics and activities vary from discussions about culture, current events, academic subjects, and university life. The commitment to being a Conversation Partners is flexible. Partners may join classes regularly or just once or twice, however partners are encouraged to let the UCAELI instructor know in advance about their level of commitment so that teachers can plan lessons accordingly.
What do Conversation Partners get from the experience?
- Learn about other cultures
- Make new friends from all over the world
- Help international students participate more fully in the UConn community
- Gain experience in providing language feedback, explanations, and suggestions in a language learning classroom
- Participate in UCAELI activities outside of classes
What are the opportunities for Conversation Partner Volunteers?
The UCAELI program is for adult learners of English who are mostly between 18–24 years of age. Many of these students are preparing to enter a college or university in the U.S. Others are improving their English skills for professional purposes or simply to be able to communicate better. This program is offered year-round in four sessions. Students in the program study English 22 hours per week from Monday through Friday.
A UCAELI instructor facilitates the class, so no preparation or previous experience is necessary. The one requirement of volunteer partners is to speak in English!
Option A (Spring 2023):
- Wednesdays, 5:30pm-6:30pm (2/1 – 4/12) – 1hr
- Fridays, 11:15am-12:15pm (1/27 – 5/5) – 1 hr
Please include on your conversation partner application your day preference.
Option B (Spring 2023):
Join the Cross Cultural Connections program coordinated through UConn’s Community Outreach department. In this program, volunteers will be matched with a UCAELI IEP student for a full semester to meet at times that are mutually arranged. Informal meetings usually take place once a week for an hour at various locations on campus. This is a good opportunity for people interested in language exchange. During these meetings, students can practice English and the primary language of the UCAELI student.
Those interested in this program can contact the coordinators of Cross Cultural Connections directly at: uconn.co.ccconnections@gmail.com
Conversation Partners Orientation
Conversation Partners Online Orientation
We ask that partners come ready to talk, learn and share with our students!
Interested in being a Conversation Partner?
Please click here to apply!
Questions? Please contact us at register-ucaeli@uconn.edu