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<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>The Language Partner (LP)

program provides an opportunity for English-speaking students to

share their culture with ESL students from various countries, help

them improve their English and help them become acclimated to

campus life.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>The program has two

components: the English-only program and the dual-language program,

in which American students learn a foreign language while helping

an ESL student learn English. Speakers of Japanese, Chinese,

Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic and Russian are currently

available.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Students who sign up for the

program will meet at least once a week for conversation sessions

with an ESL student or a small group of students about topics of

mutual interest.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>UNA junior Allison Ray, who

became an LP during her freshman year, is now a student

administrator of the program. She is currently trying to get the

word out to interested students, using aggressive marketing tactics

to make others aware of the benefits of getting involved in the

program.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“The problem we’ve had

before is getting the word out to English-speaking students,” said

Reeda Lee, an ESL instructor. “Most of the new developments in the

program have come from Allison. She’s done a lot of research into

programs at other universities.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Lee and Ray want to

emphasize that being an LP can increase students’ marketability in

the job field by providing teaching experience that looks good on a

resume and broadens the perspectives of those who haven’t had a

chance to travel to other countries.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“Employers are looking for

people with broader global perspectives because of the

globalization of our economy,” said Ray. “This is a way for

students to step outside the country even if they can’t afford to

go abroad.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Sophomore Kaylie Watts

learned about the program through Ray. She has been an English-only

LP for Chinese freshman Chenran Wang since February, and has gained

a lot from the program while helping Wang with his

English.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“I have learned a lot about

his culture and also about how our culture is perceived,” she said.

“I’ve also made a lot of friends through Chen.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Ran began learning English

long before he came to UNA, but he wanted the opportunity to

converse with an American student to sharpen his language

skills.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

“text-align: justify; text-indent: 14pt;”><span style=

“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>“My English has improved and

I’ve learned a lot of new vocabulary since I met Kaylie,” he said.

“I’ve learned a lot of words that I can use in my daily life and a

lot about American culture.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>According to Ray, when

friendships develop through participation in the program, the bonds

can be lifelong, and if students travel abroad they will have

contacts in other countries and possibly have a place to

stay.

<p class="MsoNormal" style=

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“font-size: 14pt; font-family: Times;”>Students who are interested

in the LP program can pick up a brochure or application in the

Office of International Affairs in Powers Hall or visit

www.una.edu/international for more information.