Mi Gente Talks: Conversational Language Practice Exchange

MacEwan University
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
She / Her
Supervisor, Work-Integrated Learning
(5)
7
Timeline
  • January 25, 2025
    Experience start
  • March 31, 2025
    Experience end
Experience
1/1 project matches
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Any company type
Any industries

Experience scope

Categories
Communications Community engagement Education Social sciences
Skills
mentorship constructive feedback coaching cultural literacy spanish language spanish culture collaborative communications intercultural competence
Learner goals and capabilities

Students will have varying levels of proficiency in conversational Spanish, but will all be at a level sufficient enough to engage in language practice Exchange. Students will provide English speaking feedback to the native Spanish speakers in the Mi Gente Talks program.


Students will be paired in Mi Gente Talks Level 1 or Level 2 depending on their Spanish language abilities.

Learners

Learners
Undergraduate
Beginner, Intermediate levels
50 learners
Project
25 hours per learner
Educators assign learners to projects
Teams of 2
Expected outcomes and deliverables

Regular Participation:

  • Participate in regular language practice activities

Active Engagement:

  • Participate fully in conversations, listening carefully and contributing thoughtfully.
  • Practice the target language as much as possible, even if you make mistakes.

Mutual Respect:

  • Show respect for your partner’s cultural background, language ability, and opinions.
  • Be patient and supportive as both participants learn and improve.

Constructive Feedback:

  • Offer and receive feedback positively, focusing on improvement rather than criticism.
  • Ask for clarification or help when needed, and be willing to assist your partner.

Commitment to Growth:

  • Set personal language learning goals and work toward them.
  • Reflect on progress and adjust goals as needed.


Students in the Spanish Language Classes in Winter Semester can receive up to 5% added to their final grade:


Students will commit to participating in 4 of 9 Saturday classes, ideally consecutively

Students will submit 5 recordings of between 5-10 minutes of their language practice with their partner to their instructor.


Project timeline
  • January 25, 2025
    Experience start
  • March 31, 2025
    Experience end

Project Examples

Requirements

In this experience students in Spanish 112, 212, 230, and 351 will be provided the opportunity to enhance their conversational Spanish language skills while contributing mentorship, connection, and learning to Mi Gente Canada Foundation Mi Gente Talks program. Students will partner with native Spanish speakers who are working on building their English language skills in the Mi Gente program to practice language skills through a conversational language exchange. Students will also engage in the daily WhatsApp practice activities, providing English feedback to the native Spanish speakers, while receiving feedback on their Spanish practice in return.