Conversation Pardner Program

Program Description

The Conversation PARDner Program (CPP) is a peer program that promotes intercultural competence through virtual conversations on Zoom. The CPP pairs upper-level domestic students with incoming international students. Each pair schedules conversations via Zoom or another video-type social media, 1 hour per week, for 6 weeks in the summer. Participants are encouraged to practice language-learning activities provided by the English for Academic Purpose Center and reinforce topics included in the bi-weekly summer e-newsletter sent to all incoming international students through the Office of International Student Advising.  CPs will continue to engage the international participants during the International Orientation and several times during the fall semester.

Program Objectives and Goals

By the end of the program, the CPs will:

• Develop an awareness of cultural differences
• Develop intercultural competence in the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures
• Obtain knowledge in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

By the end of the program, the non-native English speaking students will:

• Improve speaking skills in terms of fluency and speech comprehensibility
• Improve listening comprehension skills
• Gain confidence in communicating in English
• Develop intercultural competence in the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with people of other cultures

Student Handbook

Conversation Pardner Program Student Handbook

Our CP Team

	Driss Camara ‘2021 Major: Biology Hobbies: Soccer, dancing, and traveling  Campus involvement: LACSA, ISA, French Club, Soccer Club, French Conversation partner and language lab proctor
	Helena Koffigoh ‘2023 Major: Neuroscience/International Affairs/Econ with Chinese minor Hobbies: Playing PC games, reading, music (all genres), basketball and diving, photography, travel! Campus involvement: Posse, Neuroscience Club, International Student Association, LEADERS Club
	Delainey Mack ‘2022 Major: Mechanical Engineering Hobbies: Drawing, playing video games, listening to Kpop and learning the dances Campus involvement: Tae Kwon Do Club, Lafayette Dance Company, Society of Women Engineers
	Maya Nylund ‘2023 Major: English/Art Hobbies: Writing, reading, painting, going to museums, watching movies, volunteering Campus Involvement: Tour Guide, The Lafayette student newspaper, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Journey Home Bookclub, Marquis Players, Arts Society
	Bella Peyrot ‘2022 Major: Engineering Studies with Japanese Minor  Hobbies: Listening to KPOP, playing piano, traveling, and watching anime Campus Involvement: Dyer Center, International Student’s Association, and Anime Club
	Eman Shahzad  ‘2023 Major: Women’s and Gender Studies  Hobbies: Painting, drawing, socializing, and watching t.v.  Campus Involvement: Secretary of Marquis Scholars and Fellows, apart of XLC day committee, active member of MSA (Muslim Student Association),  SASA (South Asian Student Association, and her campus.

Contacts

All questions about the program are welcome. Please feel free to contact the program coordinators: Tingting Kang, Multi­-Language Learner Support Specialist at kangt@lafayette.edu/610.330.3187 or Janine Block, Assistant Director of Intercultural Development at blockj@lafayette.edu/610.330.5546.