A message from
Mena Carravetta,
Program Assistant for Prime Time Learning
416 979-5103 or e-mail mena.carravetta@ryerson.ca
For the past several years, some of our Prime Time Learning adults have participated in a program called "Conversational Connections". The program matches Ryerson students, whose first language is not English, with members of the Chang School of Continuing Education Volunteer Program. Students register with Christopher Brierley of English Language Support, a unit of Ryerson Student Services. The purpose of this program is to create an opportunity for students to practice their English language speaking and pronunciation skills in an out-of-classroom conversational situation.
We need volunteers to meet with students once a week for a minimum of 1 hour per week. Many of the meetings are held on campus in locations that the student or volunteer are able to book in advance.
If you are willing to participate in this program
identify which of the students below best fits your experience/background and schedule.
provide a list of days and times when you are most likely to be available.
If you need more information or have any questions about this program please do not hesitate to call Mena Carravetta, Program Assistant for Prime Time Learning at 416 979-5103 or email mena.carravetta@ryerson.ca.
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Conversational Connections January 2009
#161 (Male) –
He is from China and has been in Canada for about 6 years.
He is studying Mechanical Engineering
He would like to be matched with someone who has a teaching background, but this is not essential
He speaks quite well, but is “hard on himself” and wants someone to correct his spoken English
He is available on Tuesday & Thursday afternoons after 12 noon
#150 (Male) –
He is from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and has been in Canada for about 2.5 years.
He is a first year undergraduate student studying Business Management
He participated in this program in Fall 2008 – his partner is not available this semester.
He would like to be matched with someone who has experience teaching ESL in the past.
He speaks quite well, but feels that he lacks confidence in his conversational English
He is available on Wednesdays from 1~3pm; Thursdays from 10am~12pm; and Fridays from 2~5pm.
#162 (Female) –
She is from Iran and has been in Canada for 2 years.
She is a mature student (early 40s?) and is studying Computer Engineering.
Her son is also studying at Ryerson
She spends much of her day speaking her first language (Farsi) and she wants to improve her conversational English skills
She would like to be matched with a female
She is available on Monday and Thursday afternoons, and Wednesday mornings
#163 (Male) –
He is a mature student (40?) who has been in Canada for almost 7 years
He is pursuing a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.
He is a married with 2 small children and is working & studying part-time.
He is aware that he often uses “South Asian English” and that he does not make himself clear. He would like to be matched with someone who could critique his spoken English, and as well he would like to talk about Canadian culture and increase his vocabulary.
He would like, if possible, to be matched with a female
He is available on Tuesdays between 10am~2pm, and on Wednesday from 10am~1pm.
#164 (Female)
She is from France and she has been in Canada for about 1 month.
She is an exchange student and is studying Business Management.
She will return to France in April.
She wants to improve her conversational skills and learn more about Canada.
She would like to be matched with a retired female teacher if possible
She is available all day on Mondays
#165 (Female)
She is from Korea and she has been in Canada for about 4 years.
She is a first-year student studying Interior Design
She wants to improve her conversational skills and learn more about Canadian culture.
She would like to be matched with a female and she is available on Tuesday mornings
