Office of International Student Services

Conversation Partners

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Conversation Partners Introduction Video

 

 

WELCOME!

Thank you for your interest in the Conversation Partners program! Conversation Partners is a program that serves the American Language Institute (ALI) at The University of Toledo. It is designed to link U.S. English speakers with ALI students to help these international students improve their English conversation skills.  It also helps to develop cross-cultural understanding and friendship. If you are an American interested in being matched with a student, or you are an ALI student or other international student at UT interested in being matched with an American, read the information for your group below and click your link to apply!

 

U.S. AMERICANS

Thank you so much for desiring to bless an international student in our area! By volunteering with this program, you are agreeing to meet with the student you are matched with each week for one hour for the length of a semester (roughly fifteen weeks/four months). This is the base requirement, but you and your partner can of course continue past the roughly four months of time if you both desire to do so. The steps for being matched include filling out an online application, having a phone conversation about the program with the director, watching an online training video and completing a short quiz afterwards, and then being matched if you are approved through these steps.

If you are interested, please apply by clicking here.

 

ALI STUDENTS

You are very wise for having interest in this program! Meeting one-on-one with a native English speaker is one of the best ways to improve your English. By signing up for this program, you are committing to meet with your American partner each week for one hour for the length of a semester (roughly fifteen weeks/four months). This is the base requirement, but you and your partner can of course continue past the roughly four months of time if you both desire to do so. The steps for being matched with an American include filling out an online application, meeting with the director to discuss the program and expectations, and then being matched if you are approved through these steps. 

If you are interested, please apply by clicking here.

 

OTHER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

For international students that are not a part of ALI, we will supply Conversation Partners based on the availability of American volunteers. To sign up, please let Jordan Kirwen know by email that you are interested and he will let you know if there are enough volunteers for you to apply. Jordan’s email is cp@waterforishmael.org 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jordan Kirwen cp@waterforishmael.org

Wes Blood  wdbbdw@aol.com   419.478.8325

Last Updated: 5/11/23