Language Partners give and learn

or Amalia Mamani, the Language
Partners Program is a way to give

back what she received and keep
right on learning.

Originally from Peru, Mamani began
English as a Second Language (EASL)
classes at Douglas College in 1993.
That’s where she met Nimali
Wijayanayake, who as a Language Partner
offered her a chance to improve her
English skills. “I really liked the fact I had
someone to talk to outside of the
classroom,” Mamani recalls.

Wijayanayake, who was an EASL
student after moving to Canada from Sri
Lanka in 1985, agrees. “I remember how
isolating it can be to not be able to
communicate well. As a volunteer, I can
now help other people who are going
through what I did.”

Through their shared experiences,
Mamani and Wiyjayanayake have
developed a special bond of friendship.
Mamani has since gone on to become a
Language Partner herself, while this

summer Wijayanayake worked as a
monitor for the College’s Summer
Language Institute. Both women agree
that while it’s a great feeling to give
something back in this way, each
volunteer gets a lot in return.

“You learn so much about other
cultures and individual perspectives,” says
Wijayanayake, whose other students have
come from Taiwan, Hong Kong and
Indonesia. “You can explore issues and
common interests that you would never
find in books.”

Any native or fluent English speaker
can apply to become a Language Partner,
and many College employees have already
volunteered. A commitment is required to
meet with your student once a week to
share casual conversation on campus or
everyday activities such as shopping,
movies or sports.

If you are interested in becoming a
Language Partner Program volunteer,
please contact Lani Hyde at local 5412
before Friday, September 13. |

Se.

Language Partner Program volunteers spend time with EASL students both in and out
of the College, giving students a pressure-free opportunity to improve their English
skills. It’s a great chance for both to learn about different cultures and individual

perspectives.

 

David Lam
Open House
Update

he David Lam Campus Open House

is set to be a splashy affair.

Coquitlam’s City Centre Aquatic
Complex, located just one block south of
the new campus, has confirmed it will
organize special fitness and swimming
activities to be held in conjunction with
the Open House, slotted for October 18
and 19.

“Teaming our Open House with special
Aquatic Centre activities will allow us to
present a joint event which will be more
attractive to students and families,” says
Open House Coordinator Walter Melnyk.

Aquatic Centre officials also say they
plan to continue working with the College
in Ongoing partnerships which will
encourage students and employees to use
the facility, which features swimming and
wave pools as well as exercise areas.

In other Open House news: official
campus opening ceremonies will be held
at 2pm on October 18 and will feature
unveilings of donated works by prominent
Asian artists as well as greetings by Dr.
Lam, Coquitlam Mayor Lou Sekora and
other invited guests . . . the Open House
will be featured in a special supplement in
an October issue of the Coquitlam Now
newspaper . . . a short welcoming
ceremony for employees and students will
be held at noon on September 3 in the
central Atrium of the David Lam Campus.

Quote of the Month:

"The universe is change;
our life is what our
thoughts make it."

- Marcus Aurelius
Antoninus