The language exchange program is designed to help students study languages at a critical point in their language-learning journey. The three-month-long summer break often sees a decline in language use due to there not being assessments and homework to keep up with. This program aims to fill that gap by connecting studying and learning Spanish with native speakers of the language in a relaxed, stress-free environment.
What is the Language Exchange Program?
We will be pairing Griffith students studying Spanish with native speakers of Spanish. The objective of the program is to provide both groups of students with the opportunity to develop their reading and writing, or speaking and listening skills in a judgement-free zone with the hopeful aim of sparking a friendship.
How is the program structured?
Once students have been paired up, you will need to submit two "checkpoint" assessments.
Checkpoint 1: Partner Summary
○ 300-word summary of what they've learnt about their partner.
○ In Spanish for students learning Spanish.
○ In English for the native Spanish speakers.
Checkpoint 2: Collaborative Project for Submission
Paris will submit one collaborative piece on the theme 'Los Medios'. They will also each submit a short 300–500-word reflection (in language) on their overall experience with their language exchange partner and the program. A panel will judge the submission piece and the two essays.
What could a collaborative project be?
Pair are open to interpret 'Los Medios' in any way they wish. Below are a few examples of what the theme could be:
○ A comparison of news articles between the two countries presented as a scrapbook.
○ A 'newspaper' article on tourist attractions in your hometowns/ cities.
What's Up for Grabs?
The first-place pair will each receive $250.
The second-place pair will each receive a prize valued up to $50.
In total, there will be four individual winners (2 x pairs).
How will the winners be assessed?
The entrants will not be assessed on their proficiency in the other language but rather the overall emotional, social, and cultural understanding they have developed throughout the program. This can be related to achieving your set personal goals, what you have learnt about your partner and their life, or what you have learnt about their country, etc.
We encourage students to set small goals that they would like to achieve during the program, such as:
○ I want to learn about X.
○ I want to improve how I write in the past tense.
○ I want to get over my fear of speaking in my 2nd language etc.
We will then assess the collaboration project and reflect on the overall emotional, social and cultural understanding they have developed over the program.
What is the role of the UQ Latin Club?
We would like to know if you have approximately 5-15 native Spanish speakers who would be interested in this program and are in the running for winning a cash prize. Your logo will be on all promotional materials.
What is the role of the Griffith Language Club?
We will create all social media promotional materials, email communications, and sign-up forms. We will also choose the panel that will assess the entries (you're welcome to contribute a panellist if you want). The UQ Latin American Club will not have to do anything except provide native Spanish speakers with the initial sign-up form and, of course, distribute it to your members. Once people have signed up, we will have their contact details to maintain communication throughout the program.
Key Dates
Enrolments Open: Monday, October 7th
Enrolments Close: Sunday, November 3rd
First assessment Due: Sunday, December 8th
Second assessment Due: Sunday, February 9th
Winners will be announced in the week beginning February.
Terms and Conditions
○ Participation in this program is subject to even numbers of both groups of students. People accepted into the program are decided on a 'First in, best dressed' basis.
○ By participating in this program, you agree to uphold your University's Student Code of Conduct and communicate/ behave in a respectful manner.
○ If accepted into this program, you agree to complete the full three-months.
○ If you have to withdraw after being accepted, you must advise the program coordinators as soon as possible.
Program Coordinators
Laura King - President of the Griffith Languages Club
Isabella Schulz - Clubs Officer at Griffith University
Email: glangclub.griffithuni@outlook.com
