Orientation

When you first meet a student, it can be helpful to briefly explain the purpose of English Chat to help focus the session. You might say something like:  

"The purpose of English Chat is to assist you in preparing for better employment by engaging in casual one-on-one English conversations. These sessions are designed for you to practice speaking English in a friendly environment, where your confidence and ability can grow."  

Here are some additional expectations you might want to clarify at the beginning of each session:  

- If I don't understand something you said, I might interrupt to ask for clarification.  

- Please feel free to interrupt me as well if there's something I said that you don't understand.  

- Remember, English Chat is a safe space for you to enhance your English skills and make mistakes.  

- I'm not here to evaluate your English proficiency; I’m simply a volunteer here to support and encourage you.  

- During our conversation, you are expected to speak most of the time, ideally around 80%.  

This way, students will know what to expect, and it can help create a more effective and comfortable learning environment. 

Inspire the Student 

Here are some basic things you can do to help the student feel supported, loved, and inspired during the time they spend with you: 

•  Active Listening: Remove distractions, listen carefully, and provide verbal and non-verbal (nodding) acknowledgment that you are following the conversation. 

• Be Curious: Ask questions to open up the conversation.  

• Compliment & Encourage: Praise the student for what they are doing well when speaking English. Encourage them to practice outside of the session and promise them blessings from Heavenly Father as they work hard and seek His help.  

Follow Spiritual Guidance 

Because you are serving children of God as a volunteer, you are entitled to God's help. Be prayerful as you consider what you should say and how you should help these students improve their English.  

Exercise Patience 

Give the student time to think and speak. Resist the urge to complete their sentences. Let them make mistakes and then suggest a correction, if needed, after they finish their thought.  

Model Good Speaking 

Speak slowly and clearly. Use your normal vocabulary as you speak with the student. Invite students to ask you to explain any words they don’t know. 

Gospel Teacher/Motivational Speaker 

As you become a more experienced English Chat volunteer, you will recognize that your role encompasses more than just helping teach English. Although this is the primary purpose of English Chat, you will find opportunities to teach the Gospel and motivate students to improve in every aspect of their lives. 

Starting the Conversation 

Do your best to start every conversation like you are meeting a new friend. Be positive and excited to get to know them. If you haven't met them before, break the ice by introducing yourself and asking a basic get-to-know-you question(s). (add a hyperlink to a section in the resources and guides tab where we can include resources for volunteers to use – if need be - during the sessions) 

Best practices

• • • To build confidence, start your feedback by complimenting them on what they are doing well.

    • During the chat, take brief notes on things the student could improve on. You can share this feedback at the end of the conversation. 

    • Prioritize correcting errors that impede comprehension or hinder effective communication. If the mistake did not stop you from understanding the student it might be better to wait until the end of the session to mention it.

    • Provide feedback in a constructive and supportive manner, focusing on one or two key errors at a time to avoid overwhelming the student. 

    • Use clear and simple language to explain the correction and encourage the student to practice using the correct form. 

Pronunciation Feedback

If the student struggles with certain sounds or words, demonstrate the correct pronunciation and encourage them to repeat after you. Over exaggerate your mouth so they can see how you are pronouncing words. * See an example of pronunciation feedback below.

• • • Be Specific: Be specific about the mistake or area that needs improvement. Instead of saying, "You made a mistake," say, "You mispronounced the word '_____'."

    • Constructive criticism: Offer suggestions for improvement rather than simply pointing out errors. For example, "Try pronouncing the 'r' sound more clearly in this word."

    • Feedback sandwich: Sandwich constructive criticism with positive feedback. For example, "I really like how you're trying to use new vocabulary. Let's work on the pronunciation of this word. Great effort overall!"

* Pronunciation Feedback Example

• • • Ask S to repeat the word/sentence/phrase more slowly and clearly. 

    • Ask S to write the word in chat. 

    • Count syllables. Identify the emphasized syllable. 

    • Google the word if needed (pronunciation support) 

Example: 

S: The chair is kumfrtable. 

V: I didn’t understand that word. The chair is what? 

S: kumfrtable 

V: I don’t understand. Please, spell that word in the chat section. 

S: Spells "Comfortable."

V: Oh! Comfortable. (Or google the word & google will guess the correct spelling.) First, let’s count the syllables: comf - ter - ble (3) OR com - fer - ta - ble (4). We emphasize the first syllable, like this: COMF ter ble. Repeat after me…. 

Ask the student to think of the next topic to discuss for the next English Chat session. You may remind them to indicate it in the notes section when signing up for the session.

While the goal is to have informal and friendly conversations, it’s important to recognize that boundaries are essential for maintaining a respectful environment. Cultural differences can play a significant role in how boundaries are perceived, especially since many students are just beginning their professional journeys and may not be fully aware of these nuances. Here are some tips on setting and maintaining boundaries:

1.Maintaining Professional Boundaries

• Respecting Cultural Differences: Be mindful that students come from different cultural backgrounds, which may influence their communication styles. Be open-minded and avoid making assumptions based on their behavior.
  
    

• Professionalism is Key: Avoid engaging in any personal conversations or giving advice on personal issues. For example, students might ask you about job opportunities,financial assistance, personal or academic issues or even comment on your appearance. Redirect the conversation back to the purpose of the session—improving their English.,
    

• Addressing Uncomfortable Comments: If a student makes a comment that makes you uncomfortable (e.g., about your appearance, personal life, or sensitive topics), it's important to set boundaries calmly and respectfully. For example:
  
    

"I’m here to help you improve your English, so let’s keep the conversation focused on language."

"That’s an interesting topic, but let’s keep our discussion focused on English communication for today." 

"I understand that you might be facing challenges, but our goal here is to improve your English skills. Let’s focus on that for today." 

"I’m happy to help you improve your English, but I am not qualified to assist with job applications or personal advice. Let’s focus on improving your communication skills."

2. Navigating Cultural Sensitivities 

Some students might make comments that seem out of place or uncomfortable due to cultural misunderstandings. Here’s how to address these situations: 

• Stay Calm and Professional: If a student makes a comment that seems inappropriate or uncomfortable, try not to take it personally. Cultural differences may play a role, and the student may not intend any harm.

• Redirect Conversations Appropriately: Gently steer the conversation back to the purpose of the session. If necessary, politely inform the student about cultural sensitivities.
  
  Example:
  
    "In some cultures, it’s not appropriate to comment on someone’s appearance, so let’s focus on our English practice." 

• Know When to End the Session: If a conversation becomes too personal or difficult to manage, it’s okay to end the session early. Politely let the student know that the session is over and that you’ll be happy to continue with future sessions focused on English practice.

3. Setting Boundaries with Social Contact 

While it’s great to build rapport with your students, maintaining professional boundaries is essential: 

• Do not engage in social communication outside of your sessions. If a student contacts you outside of the scheduled session time, politely remind them that communication should only happen through Google meet during your scheduled sessions.

• Be Clear and Firm: If a student reaches out for reasons unrelated to the program, kindly but firmly set boundaries:
  
    

"I’m happy to speak with you during our scheduled session, but I can’t communicate outside of that time. Please feel free to reach out if you have any language-related questions during our next session."

As a volunteer, It’s okay to set boundaries and be clear about your role. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or uncertain, don’t hesitate to reach out to the English Chat Coordinator for guidance. 

Thank you for your dedication to helping students improve their English skills! You’re playing a valuable role in their learning journey.