Language buddies
Ghent University provides a language buddy for every first-year student who wants extra language support. A language buddy is a student from your year or a higher year in your study programme. They will help you better understand academic Dutch (English?) by:
- guiding you around campus during the first weeks, if you want them to;
- answering your questions about classes and courses;
- meeting with you at least 5 times during the first semester to discuss your course material.
Deadline for application is the end of October.
Ghent University wants to help first-year students enhance their language skills. You can contribute by becoming a language buddy!
Register here to become a language buddy
What do we expect from you?
- You act as a guide on campus during the first 4 weeks after matching, if requested by the first-year student;
- You help the first-year student with text comprehension (both in terms of lectures and course materials);
- You meet a minimum of 5 times during the first semester. In the discussions, you focus on the course material: the goal is to strengthen academic language use.
What’s in it for you?
- An expanded network: you’ll meet fellow students from other study programmes and faculties.
- Practical experience as a surplus on your resume.
- The opportunity to strengthen your didactic and communication skills.
- A sandwich and drinks at the training.
- A badge to which the various learning objectives are linked.
The learning objectives of a language buddy
A language buddy...
- is able to frame a language support question and offer appropriate solutions;
- is able to set up a constructive dialogue with peers within and outside their own study programme, taking into account (inter)personal and cultural factors;
- has a clear view on their own language skills and knows how to use them adequately;
- recognizes the added value of linguistic diversity.