Conversation Partner Program

°Õ³ó±ðÌýConversation Partner ProgramÌýoffered through Renison Student Experience and Housing pairs English language learnersÌýwith volunteers to provide an intercultural experience through conversation and activities.

As anÌýinternational student/language learner, you have the opportunity to practiceÌýyour conversational English outside of the classroom, learn about and explore Canadian culture, and make life-long friends.

As aÌývolunteer, you haveÌýthe opportunity to learn about various cultures around the world and gain a memorable intercultural experience whileÌýhelping anÌýinternational studentÌýpracticeÌýtheir English.ÌýNow is your chance to explore the world even moreÌýwith your partner and have fun while making a new friend! This program counts towards theÌýGlobal Learning, Intercultural Development and Engagement CertificateÌý(³Ò³¢±õ¶Ù·¡).

Conversation partners

Program details

PROGRAM DATES AND DEADLINES
Program dates Application Dates
Spring 2025

Applications Open: Monday, April 14

Applications Close: Sunday, May 11 at 11:59pm ET

Partner Pairing: Friday, May 16

Program ends: Monday, August 11

NOTE:ÌýLanguage learners in English language courses offered through Renison are eligible.Ìý

ELIGIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Eligibilty

English language learner Volunteer
RenisonÌýEnglish Language Institute and University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ students whose first language is not English; and who would like to practiseÌýtheir everyday English conversation skills. Language learners taking non-credit and credit English language courses at Renison are eligible. University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ studentsÌýwith a strong command of the English language, who would like to learn about new cultures and share Canadian culture through general English conversation.

Responsibilities

English language learner Volunteer
  • Meet with your partner for 1-2 hours per week andÌýmaintain contactÌýwith your partner regularly throughout the term
  • Respond to your partner (whether or not you can attend a meeting) and reschedule a new meeting with your partner if you cannot attend
  • Create a safe and accountable environment where personal boundaries and privacy of yourÌýpartner are respected
  • Complete the online mid-term check-in and end-of-term surveys promptly once invited to by the Renison Conversation Partner Coordinator
  • Notify the Renison Conversation Partner CoordinatorÌý²¹³ÙÌýren-cpp@uwaterloo.caÌýimmediatelyÌýif there areÌýanyÌýconcerns
  • Submit weekly log hours through our website
  • Complete 20 hours by the end of the program
    • Exception: students matched with students taking the APPLS205R or SWK220R course require completion of 12 hours
  • Meet with your partner in person for 1-2 hours per week andÌýmaintain contactÌýwith your partner regularly throughout the term
  • Respond to your partner (whether or not you can attend a meeting) and reschedule a new meeting with your partner if you cannot attend
  • Create a safe and accountable environment where personal boundaries and privacy of yourÌýpartner are respected
  • Complete the online mid-term check-in and end-of-term surveys promptly once invited to by the Renison Conversation Partner Coordinator
  • Notify the Renison Conversation Partner CoordinatorÌý²¹³ÙÌýren-cpp@uwaterloo.caÌýimmediatelyÌýif there areÌýanyÌýconcerns
  • Record and submit weekly log hours through our website
  • Complete 20 hours by the end of the program
    • Exception: students taking APPLS205R and SWK220R require completion of 12 hours

NOTE:Ìývolunteers are not English language tutors. As such, volunteers are not required to provide language learners assistance with studying, assignments, and/or exams.

MEETING RESOURCES

CPP has returned to in-person meetings since classes are back in person, but in the case of illness or other extenuating circumstances, a few meetings may still take place online.

Communicating:

  • be mindful of time and location check with with your partner to find a mutually agreeable meeting time and location
  • you may choose to use different platforms or social media apps to chat online if you wish eventhough CPP has returned to in person delivery

Ideas for meetings:

  • choose different topics or themes (sports, hobbies, food and restaurants, etc.)Ìýto discuss during each meeting
  • choose different articles or stories/paragraphs to read, discuss, or have your partners read out loud and practice their pronunciation
  • send each other photos of meals, locations around your local area, and share what they are
  • look up "idioms" and common phrasesÌý

Have any questions?Ìý

We are happy to help! Connect with Thalia Criollo Guerrero (Student Experience Coordinator) ²¹³ÙÌýren-cpp@uwaterloo.caÌý.Ìý