Each semester, international and native-speaking students get paired up through what could be described as a lucky draw with the intention of making new friends.
Conversation Partners, a program facilitated by ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor Marcus Frame, is a program wherein typically American English-speaking students submit their name to be a conversation partner to an international student.
“I think it's just a chance for our international students to be able to make a friend and get access to practicing English, especially for the ESL students,” Frame said. “It's also a chance for them to meet somebody who will maybe take them to a football game or a baseball game or take them to some of the events we have here on campus as kind of a cultural sharing, in that respect.”
Frame says not only is it a good experience for international students, but it’s valuable for
native students as well.
“I know Troy is considered the international school in Alabama, so it's a good chance for the Americans to speak with and get to know somebody from a different culture,” he said.
Frame says the only qualifications to be a conversation partner are availability and willingness.
“They need to be a student, of course,” Frame said. “Then, they just need to have one free hour per week for the duration of the semester, and that's really about it.
“Really, it's just being willing to dedicate one hour a week to the program.”
Each partnering is up to complete randomization, only based on time availability.
“I don't have a way of matching people up,” Frame said. “It's really all random — what I do is I collect the American names first and ask them if they're interested; if they are, I ask them for a day and a time, one hour per week.
“Then, I make a bulletin board and invite the international students to come and just match up a day and time that works for them also.”
Frame says it can be anywhere from one to three international students matched up with one American student.
Conversation Partners begins each August and January and runs the duration of each semester.
Frame encourages students to sign up.
“Just do it,” Frame said. “It's a fun way to get to know people; you're going to get to know somebody from another country.
“You might even become really good friends.”
To sign up, email Marcus Frame at mframe@troy.edu.
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