During COVID-19, Student Learning Commons services continue.

For the complete range, including consultations, support, workshops, handouts, and groups, see SLC services continue online.

Conversation Partners Program

Are you a multilingual student who would like to improve your English conversation skills in a one-to-one setting with a student volunteer?

The Conversation Partners Program is for English as an Additional Language (EAL) undergraduate and graduate Simon Fraser University students who wish to be paired with a student volunteer to practice and improve their conversational English in a friendly, supportive environment.

The Conversation Partners Program is accepting registrations for the Spring 2021 semester. Please register today to reserve your spot. Meetings will be held virtually on either Zoom or Blackboard Collaborate.

The Conversation Partners¹ Program is designed to support multilingual learners' English conversation skills as well as help them with their social and cultural needs in our current online learning environment.

Eligibility

Current undergraduate and graduate Simon Fraser University students, whose first language is not English, are eligible.

How to register

Interested students must register each semester using the form below.

A limited number of spaces are available and will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis. If all available spaces become full, you will be invited to join a waitlist for the following semester.

Once the schedule is finalized at the beginning of each new semester, a Student Commons staff member will contact you by e-mail with instructions on how to book your partner.

Meetings

Conversation Partners will meet every week from January 11-March 26, 2021. To change the day or time, notify your Partner.

Registration form

Name *

Are you a current SFU student? *

Yes

This service is only available to registered SFU students. Non-SFU students, including visiting scholars, post doctorate students and FIC students are not eligible.

Undergraduate or Graduate *

Undergraduate

Graduate

SFU e-mail Address *

SFU Program/Major *

What was the first language you learned as a child and still use regularly? *

Which language do you speak most often with your friends? *

Phone Number *

Please tell us why you would like to participate in the Conversation Partners program *

Conversation Partners:

Find out more about them here.

If all Conversation Partners are booked, would you like to be put on the waitlist? *

Yes

Note: By submitting this form you acknowledge that you have read and understood, and agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions for Conversation Partners.

Terms and Conditions for Conversation Partners

Purpose:

Conversation Partners is designed to help multilingual students at Simon Fraser University to improve their spoken English.

The Conversation Partners program is for English as an Additional Language (EAL) undergraduate and graduate Simon Fraser University students who wish to be paired with a student volunteer to practice and improve their conversational English.

Meeting times are one hour per week. These meetings are informal and will provide an opportunity for you to practice your spoken English, as well as for both participants to share cultural perspectives.

By registering, you are making a commitment to meet with your partner every week for the duration of the semester.

Please Note:

Each student must be currently registered at Simon Fraser University.
The Conversation Partners program begins each semester. Priority will be given to new students.
Writing or additional academic assistance is not part of this program, and it is not permitted under the terms of this agreement.
Please direct any suggestions or concerns to Tim Mossman, EAL Services Coordinator, Student Learning Commons at tmossman@sfu.ca.

¹The Conversation Partner program has been adapted from the University of Guelph’s Conversation Partners program and McMaster University‘s Speakeasy Program.

Personal information collection notice

The information on this form is collected under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468). It is related directly to and needed by the University for services provided by the SFU Library. The information will be used to administer the Conversation Partners program. If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of this information please contact Gwen Bird, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries, at 778-782-3265 or gbird@sfu.ca.

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Owned by: Tim Mossman

Last Modified: November 20, 2020

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