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Language Conversation Partner Program

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The Language Conversation Partner (LCP) Program provides free foreign language conversation practice appointments with peers who are specially trained to help students develop their oral proficiency skills in the target language through conversation in an informal setting.

Our programs aim to develop self-directed learners, to teach transferable academic skills, and to create a safe space for students to take intellectual risks.

LCP program

Who We Are

Our office serves over 1,100 students with nearly 5,400 visits with our subject and language conversation partner sessions. We are here to help you support your students’ learning potential, by providing services and programs for all undergraduate and graduate students. Our student Language Conversation Partners have language-specific expertise and work with students through informal conversation practice. 

Tim Randazzo​, Director of Graduate Teaching and Student Learning Programs

Yvonne Ngo, Assistant Director, Tutoring and Student Learning Programs

Who We Support

Our language conversation program supports students in meeting the oral proficiency objectives of about 190 courses taught through the Stanford Language Center. Currently, we offer conversation practice in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

About Our LCP Sessions

Students can make a one-on-one appointment with a Language Conversation Partner through our online scheduler. Appointments typically last between 30–60 minutes, and sessions are student-driven. Students can meet with tutors in a variety of locations across campus, including community centers, dorms, libraries, and lounges. Appointments are available in Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters, from the Sunday of week two until the last day of classes.

What Our LCPs Do

  • Attend training sessions designed to prepare LCPs to thoughtfully engage with students.
  • Lead unstructured conversations in the target language.
  • Role-play different speaking scenarios.
  • Practice speaking activities from the textbook.
  • Boost conversational confidence in the student’s target language.
  • Offer feedback and strategies to learn a new language.
  • Promote cultural exchange and understanding

How You Can Help

  • Interested in having a tutor visit your class to briefly introduce themselves and our program? Contact Yvonne Ngo at yyngo@stanford.edu.
  • Interested in importing a Canvas page with information about our LCP program? Simply log in to Canvas, click on Commons (the arrowed icon to the left), search for “LCP”, and follow the instructions.
  • Sample Canvas announcement:

Free Language Conversation Practice

Want to meet with a peer to practice your conversation skills in a foreign language? CTL offers free conversation practice on an appointment basis for this course and tutoring support for a number of other courses. For more information and to schedule an appointment, visit studentlearning.stanford.edu/our-program.

  • Add an insert to your Syllabus, like this sample:

Free Language Conversation Practice

Sponsored by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), language conversation partners are available to students taking –LANG courses taught through the Stanford Language Center. LCPs can help you develop conversation skills, practice different scenarios (giving directions, shopping, ordering food), and rehearse oral drills and textbook activities. To make an appointment and for more information, visit studentlearning.stanford.edu/our-program.

Where Students Can Learn More

Send your students to studentlearning.stanford.edu where they can:

Questions?

Contact Yvonne Ngo at yyngo@stanford.edu.