Come celebrate Chinese New Years with ACCESS on February 9th.Guidelines:
Rationale
International Students
The purpose of the Canadian Buddy Program is to give ACCESS' international students weekly practice speaking with a Canadian native-English speaker in a non-controlled environment. The Buddy program will also provide our students the opportunity to meet and socialize with Canadians who are of similar age. ACCESS students will learn more about Canadians and Canadian culture, thereby smoothing the cultural transition from their country to ours. ACCESS students will also learn more about the Toronto area. Lastly, the Canadian Buddy program will serve to help students overcome common feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Canadian Buddies
Canadian Buddies will learn more about students from other countries and cultures. They will have an opportunity to network with other Canadian and International Buddies* and take advantage of ACCESS activities. They will also gain valuable volunteer experience and experience in the field of ESL.
Requirements
In order to participate in the Canadian Buddy program, we kindly ask Canadian Buddies to comply with the follow requirements:
1.Commit to at least ONE MONTH and notify ACCESS AT LEAST TWO WEEKS prior to discontinuing their service.
2. Call student(s) at the beginning of each week (Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday) at home and arrange a suitable time and place to meet them.
3. Meet at least once a week for at least two hours.
4. When telephoning the students, propose a suitable meeting time, place and activity to the students.
5. Agree together on a suitable activity. Tell student(s) in advance of approximate cost of proposed activity. If student(s) feel it is too expensive, another activity must be decided upon.
6. Complete on-line reports at www.accessenglish.com/buddy/report.htm in the first and second week of the match.
7. Act in a mature and responsible manner at all times when with their student(s).
8. Never do anything illegal while in the company of ACCESS students (including assisting or promoting an ACCESS student under 19 years of age to buy or consume alcohol).
9. Call ACCESS at (416) 935-0457 if you have any problems or questions.
Important Notes
1. ACCESS is happy to provide successful Buddies a letter of recommendation if requested.
2. Buddies, if they wish, can help students from time to time with their English studies. They are not, however, expected to be tutors. This is not the purpose of the Canadian Buddy Program.
3. Canadian Buddies may be assigned to more than one student.