The Real World English program is sustained by donations and volunteers are always needed to serve as conversation partners with adult students and to work with the children’s program. With your help, Real World English can continue to expand its offerings and help more families!
You can volunteer to be a weekly conversation partner for an adult Real World English student who wants to improve his or her English listening and speaking skills.
Time commitment is one hour per week for 10-12 weeks in the Fall and/or in the Spring.
Conversations can take place by phone, or by using WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet – you decide this with your partner.
Times for conversations are arranged mutually between conversation partners.
You need enough Spanish to make initial contact and arrange meetings with your partner. After that, most conversation should be in English.
Ways for High School and College Students to get involved
Volunteer in person on Saturdays with the children’s program from 8:45 am – 12:15 pm.
Volunteer to assist in one of the adult classes from 8:45 am – 12:00 pm.
Offer to share your expertise:
Can you teach Spanish reading/writing to children?
Do you have a skill or hobby to share with the children?
Can you teach children how to make or do something?
Can you tutor an individual child or help with homework?
“I found out about the program from one of my wife’s friends who came to the program. My wife and I decided to sign up and start taking classes. I asked for time off from my job so could come and learn more English. Now, I honestly feel more confident when talking English in my classroom and in my job and speaking with my children too. Everything is really great. My teacher is very patient and very professional. I want the teacher to keep challenging us to speak English at higher levels. This is the second year I have come to the RWE program I can say that one can learn if they put in the hard work.”
Ray, RWE Adult Student
“I chose the Real World English program to learn English because classes are instructed on Saturdays and the time works perfectly for my schedule. The time from 9:00 to 12:00 is not too early and not too late, it’s absolutely perfect! Saturdays work for many schedules for many people to be able to attend. I like that at the beginning of the program we take a test, and once we get our results they place us in the adequate level of English class that we should be in and that works for us.
Also, we have teachers who are very knowledgeable and they keep up with each individual’s advancement so we can better ourselves as students. I would like if the program would last longer and if we could have software that we could use at home to reinforce the English we learn in the classroom.”
Javier, RWE Adult Student
Expectations for UNCG Conversation Partners
Commit to what you volunteered to do – spend time each week talking with your assigned partner(s) in English.
Many of our students live in other countries, so the time zone may be different. Try to be flexible.
Focus on helping your partner(s) improve their English listening and speaking skills through conversation.
Be friendly and welcoming. Remain positive and encouraging.
You may use the conversation starters we sent to you, but also ask if your partner wants help with their RWE homework or a specific topic in English.
Protect everyone’s privacy: Do not ask for or give personal information (including immigration status). Instead, discussing daily activities is a good place to start.
When discussing your volunteer work with others, do not use names. Say something like “My Real World English conversation partner…”
Keep track of your time, especially if you are doing this for a class, and need a signature at the end of the semester.
When you receive the name of your conversation partner, use both email and phone number to make contact asap and discuss arrangements to converse at least once a week for 30-60 minutes.
You may use Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Meet, or phone for your weekly conversations. Discuss and make this decision with your partner.
Use the country code we sent, if needed.
If your partner does not respond to you, or participate as agreed, you can email us at realworldenglish1@gmail.com
