UBC tandem Language Learning Program Student Coordinator- September 2019/2020
Please NOTE: This position is contingent upon Work Learn funding and will start in September 2019. If funding is not approved for this position it is not guaranteed that the job will be available.
Description:
The UBC tandem Language Learning Program is a free initiative, in which participants that wish to improve their conversational fluency in a language are matched with a partner who speaks this language fluently, and at the same time wants to improve in the language the first person speaks. It is a program designed to build community through additional language acquisition, foster cross-cultural communication, and enhance intercultural understanding on campus.
Duties:
The tandem Student Coordinator would be responsible for coordinating and supporting the tandem Language Learning Program at UBC, a student-run program wherein students teach each other their mother tongue (or a language in which they are highly proficient). It is a program designed to enhance additional language acquisition, intercultural communication and cross-cultural understanding on campus. The program provides language acquisition to students in two tiers: 1) “Group Meeting,” wherein pairs of students would come to a weekly facilitated session either at the Global Lounge or at Buchanan and 2) “Independent Meeting,” a forum to introduce partners in person and facilitate their independent meetings with ongoing counseling/training.
For more information about the program, visit: http://www.tandemubc.ca/
Collaborating with, motivating and inspiring members of the UBC Tandem Language Learning Program to ensure the success of all program components;
Working collectively with faculty, staff, the other Tandem Coordinator and volunteer facilitators on the execution of the Tandem program;
Developing, maintaining and supporting relationships with campus groups (such as AMS, and student clubs) and language departments;
Recruiting, training and coordinating volunteer facilitators;
Coordinating communications (e.g., email and website management) to all campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and volunteers;
Communicate and collaborate with the Tandem Coordinator;
Working with the Tandem Team to plan stimulating social events that encourage sharing of language and cultures;
Making informed decisions based on past history of the program and the needs of student leaders, volunteers, and first year students;
Matching applicants (in coordination with other Coordinator) using a computerized matching system;
Managing the database and organization of Tandem Language Learning Program sessions; registration and support for participants;
Identifying and developing collaboration points with the rest of the larger Global Lounge team (Program Advisor and 6 Global Lounge Community Animators);
Keeping track of the Tandem financial budget;
Possibly contributing to the expansion of the Tandem handbook;
Possibly presenting at the CILS symposium in the Spring depending on the theme of the event;
Corresponding with participants and campus partners in a professional and timely manner;
Conducting email exit interviews with students who leave from program;
As a member of the larger Global Lounge team, the Tandem Coordinator will attend weekly staff meetings and have regular shift hours in the Global Lounge;
Other administrative tasks as necessary
Supervision:
The Tandem Student Coordinator will report directly to the Program Advisor, Global Campus Initiatives (Advisor) in regards to the day-to-day logistics of the program. In regards to curriculum and pedagogy, the Student Coordinator will be supported by a Faculty Advisor from the Centre for Intercultural Language Studies (CILS). They will receive comprehensive 3-day training and orientation. They will have weekly team meetings, bi-weekly set check-ins, along with ad hoc meetings, and an open door policy for any questions, concerns or ideas.
Relation to the goals of the program:
The tandem Language Learning program is part of the work of the Simon K.Y. Lee Global Lounge and Resource Centre (GL) — a place for students, faculty, staff and alumni to engage interculturally and learn from dialogue about the important global and cultural issues of our time. It serves as a hub to support the development of student-led global and intercultural initiatives and builds community among globally-minded students on campus. As such, tandem and the work of the Coordinator will support UBC’s internationalization and intercultural understanding mandates. As a student-led community, the role of the Coordinator in co-creating, peer-to-peer programming is integral to the mission of the Global Lounge.
Complexity of Tasks:
The tandem Coordinator will manage the tandem matching system and facilitate the program. The most complex tasks Coordinators will undertake would be comparable to learning a new computer program of moderate complexity, and planning informal events for groups of up to 80 attendees.
Qualifications:
Excellent organizational and time management skills;
Ability to work cross-culturally with diverse populations;
Excellent communication skills: professional email/phone correspondence, addressing large groups and presentation proficiency;
Ability to establish and maintain rapport, credibility and working relationships with both facilitators and participants;
Excellent computer skills specifically in the area of Google applications (such as Google docs) and social networking sites/websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter;
Ability and willingness to work both independently and as part of a team;
Experience with meeting and training facilitation;
Ability and willingness to work both independently and as part of a team with students, volunteers and staff;
Exceptional capacity for and interest in community building;
Experience and interest in technology and troubleshooting with audiovisual equipment (satellite televisions & tuners, DVD players, setting up PowerPoint from a laptop to a console);
Knowledge of UBC programs, initiatives, and involvement opportunities on campus and ability to refer accordingly;
Creativity, enthusiasm and commitment;
Intercultural competence;
Demonstrated interest in student-led initiatives at UBC;
Ability to problem solve in moments of pressure;
Interest and experience in program marketing, promotions and social media;
Demonstrated skills in event planning and management;
Ability to engage in light physical labour (moving tables and chairs, etc.) preferred;
Availability from 2pm to 4pm on Fridays for the weekly staff meeting is mandatory, as well as 4 hours of shift time during Global Lounge open hours: 12pm-8pm, Monday to Friday
A great fit for this position is a student who has knowledge and experience in additional language acquisition and language related activities (e.g., teaching or learning additional languages, individual learner differences, intercultural differences, etc.); previous experience with the tandem Language Learning Program; and experience with WordPress, database management and meeting facilitation. The tandem Coordinator will be someone with a commitment to intercultural understanding, and to building inclusive community. Student Learning Components (UBC Vancouver Work Study/Work Learn Program)
Training and Orientation:
The tandem Student Coordinators will have a comprehensive orientation in late August/early September. The first part will include a group orientation with the entire Global Lounge team that includes topics of facilitation, leadership and intercultural awareness. The second part of the orientation will include meeting with the Program Advisor of Global Campus Initiatives, and the Faculty Advisor review: a) the Tandem program (i.e., goals and expectations, methodology, etc.); b) current state of the program, review databases of useful contact information; c) the program tasks how the Coordinators will work in coordination; d) visit one of the sites where conversation meetings will be held; e) review materials and resources available; f) assess and determine need of instructional materials to support the conversation sessions. During this time, the Advisor, Faculty Advisor and other Coordinator will be in contact with the Student Coordinator to provide all necessary help and support. Throughout the year, the Student Coordinators will be advised to attend (whenever possible) the workshop sessions on language and language related issues organized by Centre for Teaching and Learning and Technology(CTLT), and the language departments (e.g., CILS, FHIS SLA Research Cluster). The latter activity will keep the student up to date on what goes on about the language programs on
campus that might be relevant for Tandem. Opportunities for other professional development may also be identified in one on one sessions.
Feedback, Ongoing Support, Mentorship and Reflection:
The Tandem Student Coordinators will receive consistent feedback throughout the term and will be provided with at least one formal performance evaluation in the middle of the term. This will be a 360 review which will include a self-evaluation component as well as peer evaluation from the rest of the team (6 Global Lounge Community Animators and the other Coordinator). The Advisor will provide coaching, supervision, mentorship and direction for the Tandem Student Coordinators. Upon completion of the academic year, they will also have an exit interview (or returning interview if they wish to take up the role of another year) in which they will be provided with final feedback as well as be able to provide feedback of their own on the role and their experience. Reflection and goal-setting will be incorporated throughout the role, in training, professional development, meetings, performance reviews and exit/returning interviews.
The Student Coordinators will also be invited to attend sessions such as of CILS’ research initiatives (e.g., TLEF group) to learn about CILS, ongoing research initiatives and create opportunities of networking with senior members of CILS’ advisory committee. The latter are professors in different units on campus. These meetings will be valuable moments for the student to receive mentorship from highly qualified professionals in language and education; these meetings will also create moments of encouragement and support for the student in terms of ideas, suggestions, and materials. Personal and Professional Development The Coordinators will work out of the Global Lounge and have an opportunity to engage with a wide cross-section of students who have an interest in not only language learning, but also intercultural awareness and global citizenship.
As Tandem Student Coordinator, the student will develop the following skills, knowledge, and experience: program development skills; data management abilities; community building techniques; customer services skills; marketing skills; experience working with internationally minded campus groups; professional development opportunities; extended leadership and collaboration skills by working with the other Coordinator and volunteers. The student will also be invited to participate in research projects that will develop around the Tandem program, particularly in the area of language acquisition and intercultural development. The latter will be an invaluable opportunity for the student to strengthen his/her research and publication portfolio. At the personal level, the student should experience the benefits of interacting with other fellow students and professors in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.
Tandem Coordinators have the opportunity to design and revise their portfolios. They are encouraged institute changes and pilot new projects and programs in consultation with the Program Advisor and the rest of their team. Cross-portfolio decisions are made collaboratively as a team, and new ideas are brought forward for discussion at the weekly staff meetings.
Complement Classroom Learning Coordinating the Tandem program offers the opportunity of first-hand experience of a less traditional language learning methodology. The Student Coordinator will be in a position to expand and enrich his/her own classroom learning and, in turn, contribute to classroom learning. The Student Coordinator will learn about the benefits of learner-learner interaction and collaboration (basic components of Tandem), will have an insightful view of non-guided language learning (i.e., learning outside the language classroom), and the benefits of integrative motivation as a trigger of a learner’s “willingness to talk” in a target language.
As Global Lounge events and programs are based on key global issues such as environmental sustainability, human rights and ethical advocacy, students will have the opportunity to complement their theoretical knowledge in a variety of subject areas which could include areas ranging from Applied Science to Land & Food Systems.
Workplace Skills and Graduate Competencies The inherent demands of the job require the development of administrative skills for the coordination of the program as a whole (e.g., pairing up students, organizing and supervising conversations sessions) as well as social skills to connect with university units involved in the Tandem program (e.g., language departments), and CILS’ research groups. In addition, the position can help in developing project management and leadership skills (through the training and coaching of volunteer facilitators and participants).
Networking:
By being part of the Global Lounge, students are able to connect with over 35-40 different clubs on campus and all of the globally- and interculturally-focused initiatives that bring in globally-minded community members from campus and beyond. The Coordinator will also work closely to promote the program by visiting different faculties and units throughout campus.
Tandem Coordinators have the opportunity to attend and present at a variety of conferences and workshops supported by Global Lounge funding as well as other grants with application support from the Program Advisor, and similarly have been invited to facilitate guest lectures on global citizenship and intercultural competency across in other campus units such as the English Language Institute.
Eligible candidates must be enrolled at UBC-V for studies in the 2019-20 academic year and meet the requirements for Work Learn. This position is posted pending Work Learn approval.
Important Dates
Training take place the week of August 26th with continued opportunities for professional development and training throughout the term of appointment. Regularized shift schedules will start the week of September 2, 2019.
Hourly wage: $18.07 Hours per week: 10
Please send your resume and cover letter to Eve Court (eve.court@ubc.ca) by April 7, 2019.