“At first, I met with my language partners each week to discuss our weekly suggested topics. Now, I look forward to sitting down with two old friends and catching up, chatting about everything from Chinese politics to Spanish cuisine. It has been so great to get to know two wonderfully kind, genuine people with an endless curiosity about the world who have inspired me to go out and experience even more!”
M.F., Language Consultant
Language Consultant “LC” Position
Overview: Partner with 1-2 English learners for conversation and cultural exchange. Rather than a tutoring session, this is a time for relaxed English conversation on topics of mutual interest. You must be a native speaker of English in order to apply for this position. Otherwise, an interest in getting to know international students and share one’s own culture is the only requirement. VISAS will assist you by providing ideas for conversation topics and places and events of interest around Grounds. Commit to 1 hour per week of meeting time.
LCs can work with international students/researchers, international UVA staff/employees, or spouses and family members of UVA students.
Role Responsibilities
Language Consultants meet weekly with 1-2 international students, staff, scholars, or UVA family members (“International Participants”) to:
- Engage in informal English conversation
- Exchange cultural perspectives and experiences
How it Works / Schedule and Time Commitment
- International Participants will sign up for Language Consultants using a spreadsheet distributed after volunteer orientation.
- Language Consultants and their International Participant partner(s) will coordinate a mutually convenient one-hour meeting time each week.
- Each Language Consultant may have up to 2 International Participants in their weekly meeting.
- There may be a delay between the start of the program and a Language Consultant being matched with an International Participant.
- Partners commit to meeting at the same time and day for the full 10-week VISAS program cycle.
- Language Consultants are expected to complete a brief weekly check-in reflection form.
Position Requirements
- Advanced to superior proficiency in American English language and familiarity with U.S. culture(s)
- An interest in getting to know people from other cultures and a willingness to share one’s own culture
“I’d like to thank my language partners for the wonderful conversations, laughter, and stories we were able to share this past year. Thank you for sharing so much about your lives and your culture. I would often come out of our conversations in a brighter and happier mood. You gave me a needed breath of fresh air in my week.”
S.M., Language Consultant
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