Embedded Files
Who can join the LACE Program?
Who can join the LACE Program?
LACE is open to currently enrolled SJSU students and International Gateways students who can commit to the program's requirements. Members of the community and former SJSU/International Gateways students cannot participate in the program. At this time, matches are only made between available International Gateways student and SJSU students.
LACE is open to currently enrolled SJSU students and International Gateways students who can commit to the program's requirements. Members of the community and former SJSU/International Gateways students cannot participate in the program. At this time, matches are only made between available International Gateways student and SJSU students.
Is this a paid position?
Is this a paid position?
LACE is a volunteer opportunity for students to interact and learn more about another culture.
LACE is a volunteer opportunity for students to interact and learn more about another culture.
Who is a good candidate for LACE participation?
Who is a good candidate for LACE participation?
- Currently enrolled SJSU students who are fluent speakers of English and who want to help an ESL student practice English conversation, and learn about a different culture and language.
- International Gateways students who want to practice their English and are willing to share something about their culture with their partner.
- NOTE: Only current International Gateways students may participate in the LACE program.
- Students who can make a long term commitment to be part of the program for the semester. Partners should be responsible, friendly, easy to communicate with, kind, patient, and respectful.
How do I join LACE?
How do I join LACE?
Interested students must apply online by completing the application. Applications must be completed in full to be considered. If there is any information missing from the application, it will not be reviewed and you will not be considered for the program.
Interested students must apply online by completing the application. Applications must be completed in full to be considered. If there is any information missing from the application, it will not be reviewed and you will not be considered for the program.
How do students apply online for LACE?
How do students apply online for LACE?
Students will access the online application and enter their information. Here are some things to have ready before you complete this application:
Students will access the online application and enter their information. Here are some things to have ready before you complete this application:
- Select the application that is appropriate for you (SJSU or International Gateways).
- Your SJSU Student ID Number located on your Tower Card.
- Your contact information (name and email).
- For International Gateways Students – when you will complete your studies in International Gateways.
- Your available times and days to meet with your partner.
- You'll be asked if it is OK to meet with a partner of the opposite gender.
- Your gender and age range.
- You'll be asked to write a letter to your partner. The letter should be about a paragraph in length, about 150 words. It helps introduce you to your partner.
What if I have participated in LACE before (previously known as Language Exchange and Conversation Partner Program):
What if I have participated in LACE before (previously known as Language Exchange and Conversation Partner Program):
SJSU and International Gateways students must reapply every semester by completing the application.
SJSU and International Gateways students must reapply every semester by completing the application.
Do I have to write a partner letter in my application?
Do I have to write a partner letter in my application?
Yes, the letter is very helpful in matching and in giving your partner some information about you before you meet each other! Please write a friendly letter with some interesting details about yourself. You may include information about where you are from, what you like to to, and why you are interested in being a LACE partner.
Yes, the letter is very helpful in matching and in giving your partner some information about you before you meet each other! Please write a friendly letter with some interesting details about yourself. You may include information about where you are from, what you like to to, and why you are interested in being a LACE partner.
I’m interested in learning a certain language. What languages are available?
I’m interested in learning a certain language. What languages are available?
The foreign languages available depend on the pool of International Gateways applicants. For SJSU student looking for a LACE partner, the most common languages spoken by students in International Gateways are Korean, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Arabic, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and German.
The foreign languages available depend on the pool of International Gateways applicants. For SJSU student looking for a LACE partner, the most common languages spoken by students in International Gateways are Korean, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Arabic, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and German.
For International Gateways students, the primary purpose is to practice their English language skills with an SJSU student.
For International Gateways students, the primary purpose is to practice their English language skills with an SJSU student.
What if I need to change my contact information or schedule after I submit my application?
What if I need to change my contact information or schedule after I submit my application?
Any updates or changes to the application can be sent to the LACE Coordinator at: kim.green@sjsu.edu
Any updates or changes to the application can be sent to the LACE Coordinator at: kim.green@sjsu.edu
Include in the the subject line: LACE Application Update – [Your Name]
Include in the the subject line: LACE Application Update – [Your Name]
Is there a deadline to apply for the LACE program?
Is there a deadline to apply for the LACE program?
International Gateways and SJSU students can apply to the LACE program at any time. However, only LACE matches are made if there are enough qualified applicants available. The LACE program cannot guarantee matches.
International Gateways and SJSU students can apply to the LACE program at any time. However, only LACE matches are made if there are enough qualified applicants available. The LACE program cannot guarantee matches.
I am an SJSU student and I have a class assignment to interview an ESL student. Can I apply to LACE and meet my partner for the assignment only?
I am an SJSU student and I have a class assignment to interview an ESL student. Can I apply to LACE and meet my partner for the assignment only?
The LACE program seeks to help connect students in order to develop further cross-cultural understanding and friendship. Matches are made for the rest of the semester, and it’s expected that both partners seek to meet regularly. If you are an SJSU student with an interview assignment, you can contact the LACE Coordinator to discuss your possibilities: kim.green@sjsu.edu
The LACE program seeks to help connect students in order to develop further cross-cultural understanding and friendship. Matches are made for the rest of the semester, and it’s expected that both partners seek to meet regularly. If you are an SJSU student with an interview assignment, you can contact the LACE Coordinator to discuss your possibilities: kim.green@sjsu.edu
Will I be sure to get a partner if I apply?
Will I be sure to get a partner if I apply?
Matching partners depends on several factors: number of qualified SJSU and International Gateways students, their available times to meet, their preferences and other background information. It cannot be guaranteed that you will be matched with a LACE partner.
Matching partners depends on several factors: number of qualified SJSU and International Gateways students, their available times to meet, their preferences and other background information. It cannot be guaranteed that you will be matched with a LACE partner.
How soon will I receive my partner information?
How soon will I receive my partner information?
The length of time it takes to match LACE partners depends on the number of qualified applicants received at any given time. Every effort is made to ensure appropriate matches based on each completed information. If a match has not been made within a certain length of time, you can assume that there wasn’t a qualified applicant in the pool that matched your criteria.
The length of time it takes to match LACE partners depends on the number of qualified applicants received at any given time. Every effort is made to ensure appropriate matches based on each completed information. If a match has not been made within a certain length of time, you can assume that there wasn’t a qualified applicant in the pool that matched your criteria.
After I receive my LACE partner information, what should I do?
After I receive my LACE partner information, what should I do?
It is recommended that the SJSU partner contact the International Gateways partner first. Once you get your partner's contact info, e-mail him or her right away. We recommend that you email within 2 days. If there is no response from the matched partner within a week, the matches may be reassigned to another partner. The partner who does not respond will no longer be part of the pool of applicants.
It is recommended that the SJSU partner contact the International Gateways partner first. Once you get your partner's contact info, e-mail him or her right away. We recommend that you email within 2 days. If there is no response from the matched partner within a week, the matches may be reassigned to another partner. The partner who does not respond will no longer be part of the pool of applicants.
How do I meet my LACE partner the first time?
How do I meet my LACE partner the first time?
When you get your LACE partner info, you will have send an e-mail to contact your partner. Have your calendar ready when you contact each other, so you can arrange the first meeting.
When you get your LACE partner info, you will have send an e-mail to contact your partner. Have your calendar ready when you contact each other, so you can arrange the first meeting.
How will I recognize my LACE partner?
How will I recognize my LACE partner?
During hybrid instruction, you will contact your partner by email and through Zoom. When you contact your partner when SJSU returns to in-person courses, describe yourself (hair color, height, build) and decide what you will be wearing at your first meeting. Think about wearing something colorful (i.e. a red cap or sweater) and/or otherwise distinctive (a tee shirt with a catchy phrase or design). Be creative and make this first meeting fun!
During hybrid instruction, you will contact your partner by email and through Zoom. When you contact your partner when SJSU returns to in-person courses, describe yourself (hair color, height, build) and decide what you will be wearing at your first meeting. Think about wearing something colorful (i.e. a red cap or sweater) and/or otherwise distinctive (a tee shirt with a catchy phrase or design). Be creative and make this first meeting fun!
Where do we meet for our first meeting?
Where do we meet for our first meeting?
During hybrid instruction, please meet via Zoom. When courses return to in-person, we ask that all first meetings take place in the Student Union. Most International Gateways students are familiar with this location and it is an easy point of reference for them. Set a specific time and location therein so you don't miss each other, e.g. by the info desk, next to the salad bar, upstairs by the piano, etc.
During hybrid instruction, please meet via Zoom. When courses return to in-person, we ask that all first meetings take place in the Student Union. Most International Gateways students are familiar with this location and it is an easy point of reference for them. Set a specific time and location therein so you don't miss each other, e.g. by the info desk, next to the salad bar, upstairs by the piano, etc.
What can we talk about?
What can we talk about?
At the first meeting, you can bring pictures that will help you get acquainted better. You already know something from your partner letter, so you can choose a topic mentioned in that introductory letter. Find out what you have in common with your partner. The LACE coordinator can provide a number of topics to choose from and you can select a couple from this list to get you started. It's recommended that the LACE partners make their goals and expectations clear as to why they join the LACE program and to determine a structure for their meetings.
At the first meeting, you can bring pictures that will help you get acquainted better. You already know something from your partner letter, so you can choose a topic mentioned in that introductory letter. Find out what you have in common with your partner. The LACE coordinator can provide a number of topics to choose from and you can select a couple from this list to get you started. It's recommended that the LACE partners make their goals and expectations clear as to why they join the LACE program and to determine a structure for their meetings.
How many times should we meet?
How many times should we meet?
The LACE program does not set a minimum number of hours to meet during the semester. However, we recommend meeting at least once a week for the duration of the semester. We also recommend that your meetings last for at least 45 minutes each time, but you can decide what works best for both of you.
The LACE program does not set a minimum number of hours to meet during the semester. However, we recommend meeting at least once a week for the duration of the semester. We also recommend that your meetings last for at least 45 minutes each time, but you can decide what works best for both of you.
What if I want to change my LACE partner?
What if I want to change my LACE partner?
It is difficult to change your partner, so we hope you will be flexible and give your partner a chance. Often, the first meeting is awkward because you may be nervous about meeting a stranger. This is normal but meetings usually get easier and better each time you meet. However, if there is a problem, contact the LACE coordinator in person or by e-mail. We'll try to help you!
It is difficult to change your partner, so we hope you will be flexible and give your partner a chance. Often, the first meeting is awkward because you may be nervous about meeting a stranger. This is normal but meetings usually get easier and better each time you meet. However, if there is a problem, contact the LACE coordinator in person or by e-mail. We'll try to help you!
What if I can no longer continue in LACE?
What if I can no longer continue in LACE?
If you cannot continue in LACE, please contact the LACE coordinator. We try to rematch those who have lost partners but it will depend on the number of qualified applicants.
If you cannot continue in LACE, please contact the LACE coordinator. We try to rematch those who have lost partners but it will depend on the number of qualified applicants.
What if I want to be matched to two partners?
What if I want to be matched to two partners?
It is important to ensure that you are able to meet regularly with your first partner before a second one is matched. If you make that request, you and your first partner may be contacted to see how things are going.
It is important to ensure that you are able to meet regularly with your first partner before a second one is matched. If you make that request, you and your first partner may be contacted to see how things are going.
How do I get help from the LACE program?
How do I get help from the LACE program?
At any time during the semester you can e-mail your questions to the LACE Coordinator: kim.green@sjsu.edu
At any time during the semester you can e-mail your questions to the LACE Coordinator: kim.green@sjsu.edu
Content and information adapted from DeAnza College Cross-Cultural Partners Program.
Next: Expectations
Report abuse