Volunteer application deadlines

  • Winter 2024 application deadline
  • Spring/Summer 2024 application deadline
  • Fall 2024 application deadline
Two students sitting and talking together in a library.

Student benefits

As an IAEP student who participates in this program, you will have the opportunity to practice your spoken English in a conversational setting. This will help you build fluency, vocabulary, cultural understanding and confidence. If you fulfill the requirements of the program, you will receive a certificate of participation.

If you are interested in this program, you will sign-up through your instructors. You must attend a mandatory orientation session, meet with your partner for one hour per week for the duration of the academic term (no less than seven hours total), and complete an evaluation.

If you would like to participate in the program, you must commit to completing the hours. You must communicate with the Student Life Coordinator and your Language Partner timely and regularly.

Student testimonials

Video testimonials

South Korea

Hyeon (English)

Hyeon (Korean)

 

Colombia

Dianne (English)

Dianne (Spanish)

Can't Access YouTube? Click on these links to watch our videos

Written testimonials

Yasmin Mohamud Ali

“When it comes to speak English, I am now more confident than I was previously. My language partner has been extremely helpful. She is very nice, and I have learned a lot from her. She is a great inspiration to me, and her husband always comes across to greet me when I am in the zoom class with her. I absolutely love that family, and God bless them. “

-Yasmin Mohamud Ali

Sonia Batish

“I have a great experience with (my language partner). I learn so many new things from her which will be very helpful for me for my next level. Thank you so much for giving me such an awesome partner. I really enjoyed myself with her.”

-Sonia Batish

Volunteer with the English Language Centre

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.

Contact us

English Language Centre
520 University Centre
65 Chancellor's Circle
University of Manitoba (Fort Garry campus)
Winnipeg, MB. R3T 2N2
Canada

1-204-474-9251
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.