One or two days every month, a group of AV俱乐部 students can be found gathered in the International Centre practicing their English language skills and socializing with other international students.
Called the Language Spot, the program is designed to allow the students to hone their skills in a comfortable and inclusive setting.
鈥淚t鈥檚 casual conversation in a social space,鈥� says Brandon Randall, projects and events co-ordinator at the International Centre. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to learn English 鈥� to be immersed in it and use it often in conversation. It鈥檚 not about helping with schoolwork, it鈥檚 practice through socializing. And it鈥檚 done in a way that鈥檚 not intimidating.鈥�
Since the program was successfully piloted late in the 2018 winter semester, Randall and the communications co-ordinator, student Deborah Sanni, have made some changes to the program, most notably the recruitment and training of students to volunteer as English coaches.
Randall says the goal is to create a more casual setting, one where students and coaches can each learn from each other.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great place to have fun and make friends,鈥� says Fionie Jia, a second-year Commerce student from China.
Sharing experience
With more than 4,000 international students from more than 120 countries at Dal, one of the benefits that the coaches enjoy from working with international students is the opportunity to learn about different cultures 鈥� and also to share their own Canadian experiences.
鈥淚t has been amazing to be a part of this collective culture experience,鈥� says Gregory Photopoulos, one of the student coaches. 鈥淣ot only do I get to share more about Canadian culture, I also get to see my new friends experience the Haligonian lifestyle through events and get-togethers.鈥�
Indeed, the goals for the program include connecting international students with peers from different cultures, and getting them more involved on and off campus by encouraging them to socialize, explore, and enjoy Halifax and Nova Scotia during their time at AV俱乐部. To help achieve this, every student coach is teamed up with a group of international students and will host their own social event for the group outside the International Centre once a month. Typical events include touring Halifax, trying out new food, and getting to know Canadian culture through themed events.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible opportunity not only to meet new people, but also to introduce yourself to various cultures and widen your global perspective,鈥� says language coach Sidney Wood.
Coaching for success
Not all the language coaches are students. AV俱乐部 alumnus and faculty member in the Department of Pathology, Calvino Cheng, and his wife Sharon committed to spending two nights a month volunteering as coaches. On December 21, they hosted a pizza and board games night at the International Centre for students who were staying in Halifax for the holidays.
They say their family benefits from the experience as much as the international students.
鈥淚t's been great to unwind over games and hang out on Friday nights with students from all over the world,鈥� says Calvino. 鈥淟ots of laughing and sharing of stories.
鈥淚t has been amazing to watch our four kids enjoy hanging out with the students and vice versa. It has also been amazing to watch students who didn't previously know each other leave as friends. There is something life-giving about being with students.鈥�
Even though the program is geared towards international students, it鈥檚 open to the entire AV俱乐部 student community and Randall says he鈥檇 like to eventually see it expand to welcome new immigrants as well. In fact, the name 鈥淟anguage Spot鈥� was chosen to reflect the fact that it鈥檚 more than an English tutoring program, it鈥檚 all about an exchange of languages.
鈥淓veryone learns something new鈥� says Randall. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a learning opportunity for everyone 鈥� especially the English-tutors. Friends of international students are also welcome to participate 鈥� maybe they could end up as English coaches!鈥�
The next Language Spot event, cookie decorating, takes place In the International Centre on Thursday, January 31.