Volunteer Opportunity - Conversational Connections

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

ROOM LOCATIONS FOR WINTER SESSION

LIFE INSTITUTE

MONDAY

W-01 Politics, People and Other Issues Jan 19 - Mar 30 10-12 VIC 206

W-02 Stressed? Aging? Manage Both Feb 23 - Mar 23 10-12 CANCELLED

W-03 Low Fat Lit Jan 19 - Mar 16 10-12 VIC 300

W-05 Play Reading Jan 19 - Mar 30 1-3 VIC 110

W-06 Book Talk Jan 19 Feb 2, 23, Mar 9, 30 1-3 VIC 202

W-07 In the News: An Afterpoint Viewpoint Jan 19 - Mar 30 1-3 VIC 301

W-08 Bump in the Night: Horror Films Jan 19 - Mar 16 1-3 VIC 501

TUESDAY

W-09 Current Events Jan 20 - Mar 24 10-12 VIC 205

W-11 Mobilizing to Save Civilization Jan 20 - Mar 24 10-12 CANCELLED

W-15 Philosophy Café Jan 20 - Mar 3 no class Feb 17 12:15-1:30 VIC 205

W-20 Parlons Francais Jan 20 - Mar 10 2-4 VIC 204

W-21 The United States - After Bush Jan 20 - Mar 10 2-4 VIC 205

WEDNESDAY

W-22 Renaissance Art Jan 21 - Mar 11 10-12 VIC 608

W-23 Violence in Society Jan 21 - Feb 25 10-12 CANCELLED

W-24 Recording Recollections Jan 21 - Mar 25 1-3 VIC 310

W-26 Bioethics and Human Destiny Feb 25 - Apr 1 1-3 VIC 303

Triple E Investment (2nd Wed of Month) Jan 14 Feb 11 Mar 11 Apr 8 12-3 VIC 104

THURSDAY

W-30 Gems and Gemmology Jan 22 - Feb 26 10-12 VIC 508

W-31 Operation Spies: Dossier of Duplicity Mar 5 - Mar 26 10-12 VIC 508

W-34 History of Scientific Technology Jan 22 - Mar 19 no class Feb 19 10:30-12:30 VIC 608

W-36 Update - What's New Driving? Jan 22 - Mar 12 1-3 CANCELLED

W-37 Guts & Glory: Violin's Journey Jan 22 - Mar 12 1-3 VIC 504

W-38 Urban Renewal in Toronto Jan 22 - Feb 26 1-3 VIC 110

Conscious Aging Forum (1st Thurs of Month) 1st class Feb 12th 1-3 VIC 101

FRIDAY

W-39 Friday Morning at the Opera Jan 23 - Mar 27 10-12 POD 366

W-40 Hollywood & Society: Movies Jan 23 - Mar 13 10-12 EPH 225

W-42 Comparative Grapes: WINE Jan 23 - Mar 13 1-3 VIC 103

CEL Circle (1st Friday of Month) Feb 6 Mar 6 Apr 3 10-12 VIC 210

SUNDAY

Non-Fiction Book Club (2nd Sunday of Month) 1 - 3 pm POD 370


EPH, Eric Palin Hall 87 Gerrard St E.

POD, Podium (area connecting Jorgenson Hall to Library) enter through 350 or 380 Victoria St

VIC, The Victoria Building, 285 Victoria St

1st Triple E Investment Club Meeting of 2009

LIFE INSTITUTE
Triple 'E' Investment Club
First 2009 Meeting

Date: Wednesday, 14th January 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(Brown Bag Lunch and Socialization 12:00 p.m.)
Room: VIC 104

285 Victoria Street, Toronto ON

Presenter: Andree Liddell

Subject: From Income Trusts to Preferred Shares

All LIFE Members welcomed!