ELI matches students, native English speakers

Syracuse University’s English Language Institute (ELI) is working with SU’s Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics (LLL) instructors to match native English speakers studying Arabic, Chinese or Japanese with ELI students studying English.

Students meet with their partners for about 90 minutes per week, either face to face or online. Half of the time they chat in English and the other half in the target foreign language. Students discuss culture, vocabulary, slang and a selection of other topics to help them become more fluent speakers.

To date, 24 conversation partnerships have been arranged. Japanese language coordinator Tomoko Walter has encouraged her students to participate and as a result, 15 partnerships have been created. For further information, contact Maureen Edmonds, ELI language coordinator at mpedmond@uc.syr.edu.