While navigating a new country and mastering a new language can be challenging, connecting with community can make all the difference.

Brock’s Conversation Partners initiative is seeking student, faculty and staff volunteers to help English as a Subsequent Language (ESL) students practice their language skills with a fluent English speaker. Volunteers are asked to commit to meeting their conversation partner for just one hour per week on campus.

Intensive English Language Program (IELP) students can sign up for a conversation partner as part of their program.

With more than 70 new IELP students this fall and other international students seeking to improve their skills, Associate Director of Brock ESL Julian Inglis says the need for volunteers is high.

“This year’s cohort of ESL students has shown a high interest in making connections with others outside of their program” says. “By providing our ESL and international students the opportunity to practice their English language skills outside of the classroom, it reinforces the learning that they do with without pressure in a casual atmosphere with the added benefit of making them feel welcomed to our community and country.”

Volunteers will be matched with participants based on interest and availability. Once matched, partners can decide on their own to either complete their weekly conversation in one session or two thirty-minute sessions that will work with the participant’s schedules. Conversation topics are encouraged to be about home countries and culture, but can encompass other topics such as pop culture, entertainment, community or any relevant topic.

There is no deadline to join the list, but Brock ESL is aiming to match remaining participants by Monday, Sept. 22 to help students have the best outcomes for the term.

To learn more about the Conversation Partners initiative or to sign up to be a volunteer, email [email protected]