Conversation Partners Program
The Conversation Partners Program matches one native or near-native English speaker with an individual or a small group of international partners for informal language practice and cultural exchange. It is a volunteer-driven program and is open to everyone – Penn State faculty, staff, students, and local community members. Participants often find this to be an excellent opportunity to extend warm friendship and share their own cultures, as well as practice their English-speaking skills in an informal setting.
The goal of this program is to provide international participants the opportunity to improve their English skill with a native English speaker, while also learning more American culture. International participants also share their own culture with the native-speaking matched partner.
Matched partners are recommended to meet for at least one hour each time, and preferably every week. They can talk informally about any topics they are both interested in and feel comfortable about. The partners can decide when and where to meet, and frequently it could be a chat over lunch or a coffee.
It is a great opportunity for international participants to practice English in a casual way, which usually help them become more comfortable speaking English in their daily life. It also could give them a chance to ask questions they might not feel comfortable asking in other situations. Especially for international students, having a conversation partner could help them understand American culture, both in and out of the classroom.
If you are an American volunteer, you have the chance to learn more about a new culture by talking with your international language partner - all without having to step foot out of State College.
Sign up Today to be a conversation partner: Penn State Conversation Partners Program Interest Form – Fill out form
The conversation partners program runs during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Our office provides in-person events throughout the semester for program members to meet other peer volunteers and hang out together.
The goal of this program is to provide international participants the opportunity to improve their English skill with a native English speaker, while also learning more American culture. International participants also share their own culture with the native-speaking matched partner.
Matched partners are recommended to meet for at least one hour each time, and preferably every week. They can talk informally about any topics they are both interested in and feel comfortable about. The partners can decide when and where to meet, and frequently it could be a chat over lunch or a coffee.
It is a great opportunity for international participants to practice English in a casual way, which usually help them become more comfortable speaking English in their daily life. It also could give them a chance to ask questions they might not feel comfortable asking in other situations. Especially for international students, having a conversation partner could help them understand American culture, both in and out of the classroom.
If you are an American volunteer, you have the chance to learn more about a new culture by talking with your international language partner - all without having to step foot out of State College.
Sign up Today to be a conversation partner: Penn State Conversation Partners Program Interest Form – Fill out form
The conversation partners program runs during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Our office provides in-person events throughout the semester for program members to meet other peer volunteers and hang out together.
