The Center for English Language and American Culture is looking for people interested in becoming conversation partners with UNM international students. The students come from many different countries—Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Vietnam and places in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East—and represent a linguistic smorgasbord.
“Conversation partnering gives the international students the opportunity to practice English in an informal setting, as well as the opportunity for someone in the University community to practice a foreign language without having to renew their passport,” said Ben Sienicki, CELAC.
The conversation partner get-togethers are informal – not tutoring sessions – Sienicki said, and can take place once or twice a week for about an hour, or for however long the partners decide, at a location of their choosing. Partners arrange meeting times and place and should commit to meeting for the remainder of the semester.
For those with questions or interest, email Ben Sienicki, bsienick@unm.edu, and include preference for a particular language or country of origin. For those with no specific preference, CELAC can match with students who are looking for a partner.
CELAC, UNM’s intensive English as a Second Language program, is located in Mesa Vista Hall, 277-4032.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu