Talk Time has four goals:

1. help adults from other countries improve their oral skills,
2. create an atmosphere of trust and fun that encourages friendships,
3. talk about life skills as needed (such as writing checks, using the telephone, etc.)
4. exchange cultural information.

Volunteer job qualifications:

• Good English speaking skills.
• Sensitivity to different cultures.
• Desire to develop friendships with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Patience, and willingness to try a variety of methods to facilitate conversations.
• Ability to make the minimum time commitment.

Volunteer job responsibilities:

• Attend a Talk Time training session which includes cultural information and conversation techniques.
• Actively participate in Talk Time conversation activities and casual talk with one or more language learners.
• Be reliable in attendance, giving notice of any unavoidable absences.
• Follow the format and objectives of Talk Time.
• Participate in feedback/debriefing session at the end of each session.
• Bring refreshments for at least one session per quarter.
• Participate in quarterly planning meetings.

Minimum time commitment:

Attend Talk Time once a week for the academic year.

Contact Information