English Conversation Buddy

As an English Conversation Buddy, you will be paired with a Nepali-speaking community member who is looking to build confidence and fluency in spoken English. You will meet with your conversation partner once a week for a relaxed, friendly conversation session- either in person or remotely, depending on what works best for both of you.

There is no formal teaching required. Your role is simply to engage your partner in natural conversation, helping them practise everyday English in a supportive and pressure-free environment. Sessions might involve chatting about daily life, current events, hobbies, or topics your partner finds useful - such as navigating appointments, shopping, or workplace conversations. Your partner may be someone of working age currently needing to improve their English to increase their confidence and employability, or someone just needing support with navigating and integrating in English speaking environments. Over time, you may gently help your partner expand their vocabulary and grow more comfortable expressing themselves in English.

Volunteers will be matched with a conversation partner by the Greater Rushmoor Nepali Community (GRNC) team, who will provide an informal introduction to help both parties feel comfortable. Basic guidance and ongoing support will be available from GRNC throughout the partnership. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference to someone's daily life and sense of belonging in the community.

Skills

- Proficient or native English speaker - Warm, friendly, and welcoming: able to put people at ease - Patient and encouraging, with an understanding that language learning takes time - Respectful and culturally sensitive, with an appreciation for different backgrounds and experiences - Understanding that your partner's English capacity may range from basic to intermediate at best, and that conversation may take time to feel natural - A good listener who can adapt the pace and style of conversation to suit their partner - Reliable and committed to attending weekly sessions consistently - No formal teaching qualification is required- just a genuine willingness to help someone grow in confidence