Learn with others
Conversation Circles & Language Buddies
Develop your English language skills
Develop your English conversational skills by joining the Conversation Circles and Language Buddy programme. Opportunities are provided to improve your English by speaking with other students online and in-person. Your English language skills will also help you with your spoken English, and knowledge of New Zealand phrases. Either the Conversation Circles or learning with a Language Buddy can be added to your CV and will help towards your job aspirations.
Sessions are run on the following days/times:
Graduate and undergraduate students can join any of the following Conversation Circles.
Topics vary and can focus on themes and ideas that you study in your programmes.
| Mondays | Tuesdays | Wednesdays | Thursdays | Fridays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10am NZST: At CeTTL, Room M.1.04, Level 1 of the Student Centre |
12pm CST / |
|||
|
12pm CST / |
We also offer writing and grammar 1:1 sessions for students at the University of Waikato College:
Tuesdays 3-4 pm NZST - LAIN.B.05
Thursdays 3:10 pm NZST - LAIN.B.05
Join the English Language Conversation Circle Online
The virtual online conversation circle sessions are running and open to all students in Hamilton, Tauranga and beyond. Sessions will be flexible and can include any topics that need to be discussed. To join these virtual Conversation Circles you will need to have
(1) access to Zoom video conferencing software - link to University of Waikato information page & handout for first time users:
and
(2) a laptop with a microphone and webcam (or your phone), and access to the internet.
If you would like to join any of these virtual circles, see the times listed below. It's good to stay in touch with others and keep practising your English - let's keep talking!
Join a Language Buddy
Develop your English language skills with a trained student volunteer. Along with learning how English is used in conversation and in social settings, you will also gain an understanding of how English is used in New Zealand - including local phrases, and you can practise common situations where you will use English during your university studies e.g. tutorials, labs or group work. You can meet online or in person, as long as both parties are happy to meet in person and social distancing guidelines are followed.
The volunteer will be closely supported and monitored by CeTTL staff, and this opportunity is offered on the Hamilton, Tauranga and beyond. To talk with your buddy online, you will need to have:
1. Zoom:
(a) Access to Zoom video conferencing software - link to University of Waikato information page & handout for first time users:
and (b) A laptop with a microphone and webcam (or your phone), and access to the internet.
2. Google Hangouts:
The buddy and student can use the chat function in Google Hangouts to chat with each other online. You can use the video function as well.
If you would like a language buddy, please email: eldonline@waikato.ac.nz
Let's keep talking!