The Chat Mates Program has been developed to provide regular, semi-structured opportunities for international students to enhance their English conversation skills and for domestic students to gain a deeper understanding of other cultures.

Who can participate?

The Chat Mates program is suitable for international ESL students wanting to enhance their English conversation skills. It is also suitable for domestic students who have an interest in foreign cultures and global issues or students wishing to gain leadership experience. Students who wish to participate in the program as a Group Leader must have native fluency in English. Chat Mates may be especially suited to students studying:

• Development Studies
• Social Work/Human Services
• Political Science
• Education

Why be involved?

International students (if English as your second language)

• Improve your English language skills and confidence in speaking and pronunciation
• Learn everyday Australian terms and phrases
• Share your culture with others
• Learn more about Australian culture
• Build your social networks through friendly interaction with other students

Domestic students (or international students with English as your native language)

• Develop a deeper understanding of other cultures
• Gain leadership and group facilitation experience
• Understand the issues and difficulties facing international students at UQ and in Australia in general
• Assist international students to improve their verbal communication skills and therefore have a more interactive and hopefully more enjoyable experience in Australia
• Expand your range of social contacts

How does the program work?

The Chat Mates Program consists of themed modules and is intended as a basis to encourage and direct conversation between participants. The program will run for seven weeks in semester 2, 2012 (weeks 3 to 9) and participants should expect to meet for 1 to 2 hours a week.

How Do I Register?

After successfully helping nearly 300 students, registrations have now closed for Semester 2, 2012.

Expressions of interest for the Semester 1, 2013 program are now open by clicking here. An expression of interest is not a registration, however, if you submit your contact details we will email you a registration link and program update as soon as registrations open for the Sem1, 2013 program.