Language Partner Volunteer Program

The English Language Centre’s Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) prepares international students to meet the language requirement of most programs at the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, and Red River College.

By volunteering with the Language Partner Volunteer Program, you can get to know an IAEP student while supporting their language development in an informal setting.

Why volunteer?

As a volunteer, you’ll have an opportunity to learn about another culture while sharing your own culture with an ELC student. In addition to meeting people, you’ll be able to practice cross-cultural communication and enhance your resumé with volunteer experience.

If you are a UM student, you may also qualify to receive a Letter of Recognition and notation on your co-curricular record.

Eligibility and program requirements

The Language Partner Volunteer Program is open to anyone who is fluent in written and spoken English and has lived in Winnipeg for at least two years or Canada for at least five years. Volunteers can be university students, employees, alumni or community members.

Volunteers must be friendly, open to meeting new people, and respectful of differences in culture and communication style. Volunteers must also be able to work independently, manage their time and coordinate their own meeting schedules.

Each volunteer must attend a mandatory orientation session, meet with their partner for one hour per week for the duration of the academic term (no less than seven hours total), and provide the ELC with reports throughout the term.

Language Partners determine their schedule of when to meet, but it must be in a public place. Volunteers must be willing and able to travel to meet their partner, which is often at, or near, the University of Manitoba.

Volunteers are needed for the Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer Terms. To become a volunteer, fill out the application form (PDF) and submit it to the English Language Centre at elclanguagepartners@umanitoba.ca or 520 University Centre.