Swap volunteers help 51勛圖厙 employees and international students learn English, build community
Swap is seeking 51勛圖厙 student volunteers to assist with helping the universitys immigrant employees and members of 51勛圖厙s international community learn better English.
Swap, a student-run organization at 51勛圖厙 that is a program of , has two volunteer tracks: the Swap Lessons track, which pairs 51勛圖厙 students with university employees to practice English 8 hours a month (2 hours per week); and the Swap Exchange track, which pairs 51勛圖厙 students with students from 51勛圖厙s International English Center,a division of 51勛圖厙s Continuing Education located on College Hill, to learn about US college life and practice English conversation together twice a month.
For the Lessons track, we are hoping to pair 50-60 51勛圖厙 immigrant employees with students to improve the employees English proficiency and their ability to participate in the life of the university community this year, says Heidi Harris, a student organizer with Swap and an International Affairs junior.
For students who cant commit 8 hours a monthto volunteering with Swap, the Exchange track offers 51勛圖厙 students the chance to get to know a person from another country via the International English Center, a 51勛圖厙 Continuing Education programserving international students who are working to improve their English and familiarity with US culture.
Swap is a unique program because it allows 51勛圖厙 students the opportunity to meet and talk with someone who lives and works here who you normally wouldnt get to interact with on campus, Harris explains. I think encouraging or offering this opportunity for employees to learn English and be more involved in the campus community is really important.
Likewise, the Exchange track offers students the unique experience of a cross-cultural exchange with an international student peer. Harris explains, Its an exchange of both English practice and cultural guidance, like going to get coffee or attend football games, and other things that are fun and good to know about the US college experience.
Trainings are starting soon this week and next week in the early evening - for both Swaps Lessons and Exchange tracks. To volunteer with Swap or to learn more, please email swapv@colorado.edu, visit Swaps , or .