Language and Cultural Exchange Program

• About LCE
  • Language Exchange Program
  • Cultural Exchange Program
• Application Process
• Application Form
• Terms and Conditions
• Suggested Topics for Discussion & Activities 
• Events Gallery
• Withdrawal Form
• Feedback Form

About LCE

The Language and Cultural Exchange program (LCE) is desgined to facilitate interaction and mutual exchange between international students and local students and staff at the University. In 2010, this program will include two schemes:

Language Exchange Program

This is a great program for you if you are either:

• enrolled in a foreign language course at the University and/or
• interested in maintaining and improving your foreign language skills

The Language Exchange Program matches current students and staff at the University with native speakers of the requested language. Languages that may be available for exchange include the following:

• Chinese (Mandarin)
• Indonesian
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Spanish
• Italian

• Modern Greek

What are the benefits of participating?

Local students/Staff:

This program provides a fun way to

• improve and maintain your foreign language skills
• gain conversational experience
• develop confidence in conversing in the language that you are learning
• meet fellow students/staff from other cultures/countries
• expand your inter-cultural communication competence

• prepare you for a potential trip, study, or employment abroad

International Students:

This is a great program if you wish to

• further develop your English language conversational skills
• learn some Aussie slang and commonly used phrases in a fun way
• develop confidence in communicating in English
• meet fellow Aussie students

• expand your inter-cultural communication competence

What does it involve?

Participants are expected to meet face to face for at least one hour per week at an agreed time.

As the Language Exchange Program is designed to be mutually beneficial, interaction should be split relatively evenly between the exchange pair.

The program is designed to be largely self-directed by participants, but there will be opportunities to socialise and interact with other participants of the program throughout the year. A 2010 Calendar of Events will be available online soon.

Cultural Exchange Program

If you wish to meet and interact with students/staff from countries/cultures different to your own, then this is the program for you. The focus of this program is on social and cultural interaction rather than language learning.

What are the benefits of participating?

Local students/staff:

As a participant in this program, you will be able to

• socialise and interact with fellow international students/staff from the cultures that you have an interest in
• share unique aspects of Australian culture with others
• expand your knowledge and understanding of various cultures on campus
• learn about issues, customs and traditions in other parts of the world
• gain an appreciation of the complexity of intercultural communication
• expand your inter-cultural communication competence
• develop international friendships

• prepare yourself for a potential trip, study, or employment abroad

International Students:

As a participant in this program, you will be able to

• socialise and interact with Australian students/staff
• share your culture as well as learning about Australian culture
• develop confidence in conversing in English
• gain an appreciation of the complexity of inter-cultural communication
• expand your inter-cultural communication competence 
• develop local friendships

What does it involve?

You are expected to meet your exchange partner(s) at least twice a month at agreed times.

There will be a range of social events organised for the program so all participants in the program can mix and mingle.   

When can I apply?

You can apply for the program anytime throughout the year.

All 2009 participants need to re-apply for the 2010 program as the format has been changed.

What is the application process?

Application Forms are available online. If you select the Language Exchange Program, we will endeavour to match you with a partner from the specified language background, subject to availability. Other factors that may influence the matiching process include preference of meeting time and gender. In some situations there will be a significant waiting period before a successful match can be made. 

If you select the Cultural Exchange Program, we will pair you with international students from cultures requested. This is also subject to availability of students. Therefore, the more flexible you are, the easier it will be to locate an exchange partner. Once a match is made, you will be advised of your exchange partner's contact details and will be free to contact each other.

For more information, please see  Application Process .

Program guidelines and responsibilities

Please read the full Terms and Conditions of the program before submitting your application. You agree to, and will be bound by, the terms and conditions automatically on submission.   

Need further information?

Contact the Community Engagement Project Officer jonie.schmortte@adelaide.edu.au or call her at the International Student Centre on 8313 0556.