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Intercultural English Language Programs

Department of Teaching and Learning

College of Education and Human Ecology
  • American Language Program
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  • Academic English Writing Program
    • Testing for Undergraduate International Students
    • Testing for Graduate International Students
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  • Spoken English Program
    • Testing for Graduate Teaching Associates
      • Oral Proficiency Assessment (OPA)
      • Exit Interview (EXIV)
      • Oral Proficiency Certification Assessment (OPCA)
    • Course Offerings
    • Interactive IPA Charts
    • Intercultural English Conversation Partners
      • SEP Students: About IECP
      • IECP Volunteers: Information
  • International Special Programs
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Information.

Effective Autumn 2025, the EDUTL course prefix will change to TLIELP.

When searching for classes in BuckeyeLink, the subject name will be “Teach& Learn Int Eng Lang Prog.”
Home / Spoken English Program / Intercultural English Conversation Partners / IECP Volunteers: Information

IECP Volunteers: Information

What is the Intercultural English Conversation Partners program?

Intercultural English Conversation Partners matches international students in the Spoken English Program with English speakers educated in the U.S. and associated with Ohio State University, most commonly undergraduate students. This program provides an opportunity for our students to develop language and cultural knowledge to help them teach more effectively as Graduate Teaching Associates.

Who are the international partners?

International conversation partners are graduate students working toward required English language certification to work as Graduate Teaching Associates at the university. Most of the students enrolled in our program are from Asia, but we also get some students from other parts of the world. All of our students have studied English for years, but many have had little opportunity to speak the language before they arrive at Ohio State.

What is the volunteer’s role?

Volunteers are quite literally “conversation partners” and not specialist language tutors. Our students are training to be TAs, so volunteers should also have some knowledge of the university and student life. Being a conversation partner is a way to learn something about the world’s cultures by getting to know someone from another country. It is also an opportunity to build English Lingua Franca (ELF) communication skills for participation in an increasingly interconnected world.

What is the commitment?

Conversation partners agree to meet with each other for one hour a week for one semester at a time and place convenient for them both.

Volunteer Sign-Up

If you are interested in being a volunteer for the Intercultural English Conversation Partners program, please fill out the form below:

Partners will be matched near the beginning of the semester, and we’ll send partners each other’s contact information. Contact sep-iecp@osu.edu with any questions.

Resources for Volunteers Meeting with Partners

  • Tips for Talking with a Language Learner
  • Suggested Topics for Conversation

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Programs

  • American Language Program
  • Academic English Writing Program
  • Spoken English Program
    • Testing for Graduate Teaching Associates
      • OPA
      • Exit Interview
      • OPCA
    • Course Offerings
    • IPA Charts
    • Intercultural English Conversation Partners
      • SEP Students: About IECP
      • IECP Volunteers: Information
  • International Special Programs
  • Assessments

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Contact Information

356 Arps Hall
1945 N High St, Columbus, Ohio 43210

Phone: +1-614-292-1364
Email: ielp@osu.edu

Units

American Language Program 
Academic English Writing Program
Spoken English Program
International Special Programs
College of Education and Human Ecology

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