By Natalia Pozo
Diversity and intercultural communication coexist at CIS University by providing the Language Exchange Program (LEP) to all students. The capacity to communicate across cultures and languages is more important than ever in the connected world we live in. The Language Exchange Program at CIS University is more than just an academic activity; it is a transformative encounter that promotes intercultural understanding, breaks down linguistic barriers, and builds lifetime bonds among individuals from all backgrounds.
Students from all over the world gather on campus each semester, bringing an extensive variety of languages and cultures with them. This spring semester thirty-one students signed up to participate in the program. They get the chance to learn new languages and discover different cultures while also sharing their knowledge of their own through the program.
“It is possible to learn other languages in addition to Spanish and English. There are a number of French students who are also participating,” says professor Dr. Alex Feldman, head of the program.
The CIS University LEP goes beyond typical teaching of languages in the classroom. It pairs students with partners so they can have real-world interactions and experiences with people from different cultures. Together they contribute to a more dynamic and immersive learning environment.
Students meet at CIS University during the afternoon and can tutor each other or simply have a casual conversation. They are free to talk about any topic that they want. Some of the topics that they have chosen this semester are: travelling, life choices, family, Easter, graduation, etc.
Moreover, they can also get extra credit in their language courses for participating in this program:
“For students to be eligible to get extra credit they have to meet for at least five hours over the course of the semester with a minimum of one hour being completed prior to midterms. To get maximum extra credit -up to 10% added to their final grade in their language class at the end of the semester- they must meet with their partner ten times over the course of the semester for ten hours,” said Dr. Feldman.
If students are taking several language courses in one semester, they can allocate that extra credit as they see fit, dividing it between several language courses.
Students really enjoy being a part of this program. They value the fact that they can practice a language while also making new friends who are their age:
“CIS University’s Language Exchange Program was integral in terms of providing opportunities for me as a learner to practice as much as possible. Also, I can say I consider my partner, Aitor, as a close friend at this point. I would encourage anybody who wants to immerse themselves in a second language to participate, get the extra credit, and meet new people,” said Ryan Alexander Cate, from the US.
Nova Schaapherder, from The Netherlands, agrees:
“Being in the Language Exchange Program has been very helpful. You learn from native speakers about their language and you can ask about words or phrases of which you are not sure. It sort of feels like talking to a friend, but then in a language you do not fully speak. Because everyone is around the same age, I feel less pressure trying to talk to them than I might in a classroom, for instance.”
In summary, this program offers students wide-ranging benefits. First, it gives students a fully-immersed cultural experience that helps them appreciate a variety of cultures and traditions that are often completely different from their own. Second, it pushes pupils to grow as individuals and encourages their independence as they are in a whole new environment. Furthermore, it provides an opportunity for language improvement through regular conversations in a foreign language with our students at CIS University. Finally, it also helps students create an international circle of friends that will help them in their future personal and professional endeavors.
