Language and Culture Sharing Programs

Broaden your horizons this fall with one of our language and culture sharing programs. We are offering three different programs, the Tandem Language Program, the Hawk 2 Hawk English Conversation Project and Laurier International Cultural Conversations.You're welcome to participate in one or all programs, and all students are welcome to register.

Tandem Language Program

Registration for the winter 2023 term is now open!

• Register for the Tandem Language Program for winter 2023 by January 22, 2023.
• Orientation is on January 26, 2023
• The mid-term survey will be done on February 19, 2023.
• Journals due and program completed April 12. 2023.

The Tandem Language Program is about teaching and learning language and culture to a peer, while getting to know someone new. Through the program you'll have a chance to improve your language skills, make intercultural connections and learn in a social way.

Participants will share their passion for language and learning with each other and are partnered based on language proficiency and interest. You'll be required to meet virtually with your language partner for a minimum of 10 hours over the semester and complete a 500-word journal. When you successfully complete the program you'll get Laurier Experience Record recognition.

How It Works

You are able to teach some basic German and have always wanted to learn a few words of Japanese. You would be partnered with someone who has Japanese language skills, and an interest in learning German.  

We do our best to match you with a partner based on your language interests and level, but may not be able to. If that happens, we ask that you be flexible and open-minded in learning a language that isn't your first choice.

In the past students have learned English, Mandarin, Spanish, French, American Sign Language, German, Farsi and more. Read what students are saying about their experiences with the Tandem Language Program, and don’t miss your chance to learn a new language and learn about a new culture! 

Hawk 2 Hawk English Conversation Project

Registration for the winter 2023 term is now open, register today.

The Hawk 2 Hawk English Conversation Project matches Laurier students with LEAF program students to have weekly conversations in English and to learn about each other’s cultures. Develop your intercultural skills while providing an opportunity for English-as-an-additional-language students to practice their English-language conversation skills through either in person or online one-on-one chat.

Through these conversations, LEAF program students will be able to practice their English skills in a non-academic setting. In your role, you will be facilitating the conversation but you're not expected to provide grammar, vocabulary, or other lessons, nor will you be expected to assess the LEAF student's English skills at any point.

How It Works

All students selected for the program will participate in a two-hour training session, which will cover intercultural communication skills and how to guide a one-on-one conversation. This activity is recognized by the Laurier Experience Record. Laurier students that volunteer with Hawk 2 Hawk are also eligible to receive a $100 gift card to the Laurier Bookstore. 

Laurier International Cultural Conversations

Registration is now closed. Check back for future terms.

Laurier International Cultural Conversations is offered in collaboration with Laurie Jacklin's HR261: Multiculturalism course and is open to all international and exchange students. The program is a great way to meet new people and to share your lived experience as an international or exchange student in Canada.

How It Works

You will volunteer to participate in the program and receive Laurier Experience Record (LER) credit. You don't need to be registered in HR261 or pay any fees, and you won't receive course credit. 

In the program, you will meet five times, in small groups, to discuss topics related to multiculturalism such as race and ethnicity, migration theory, settler colonialism, Indigenous People in Canada, and more. 

Dates and Deadlines

The deadline to apply for fall 2022 has passed. All volunteers have been emailed with more information about the program and classroom location for the first session.

Volunteers are asked to share in a creative project at the end of the project to share insights and reflections about the experience.