Student Activities | Conversation Partners Program

Watch Ginger and David talk about Conversation Partners. (You need the free Flash Player.)

Do you want to learn more about another culture or practice a foreign language with a native speaker? Then the Conversation Partners Program is for you!

It is a free service from CELOP, which matches international students with native English speakers. You can meet your partner in any location as often as you choose. You control when and where you meet. All you need to do is fill out an application and we’ll do our best to find you a partner!

Usually, conversation partners meet for one hour a week. However, if you and your partner decide that you would like to meet more than that, please feel free to do so. The program is unstructured, and you and your partner are free to take part in any activity that interests you both. Some partners go out for coffee, have dinner, or play tennis. The most important thing is that you both have fun. The only request we make is that you and your partner spend at least half of your time speaking in English since learning English is the main reason why the CELOP students are here.

The goals of the CELOP Conversation Partners Program are to provide meaningful interactions between U.S. and international students, to provide opportunities for both groups to practice a new language, to help CELOP students learn more about the U.S. and its culture and to help American students learn about other ways of life in the world.

Please note:

• Conversation Partners operates only in the Fall and Spring semesters (NOT in the summer).
• CELOP does not guarantee a match. Our success depends on the number of people who apply. Also, you may apply for only one partner.
• We will do our very best to match everyone as soon as possible. It is not necessary to call CELOP to check on your application. As soon as we have found a match for you, we will contact you.
• This service is for CELOP international students and native English speakers.
• Only CELOP students may request English speaking Conversation Partners.
• Have a question? Contact us.

—Shelley Bertolino
Conversation Partners Program Coordinator

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• Conversation Partners Program
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• Things to do in Boston

BU | CELOP | October 7, 2008