The application form for undergraduate language tutors in Fall 2026 will be available on April 15th, 2026. Applications are due by May 8th, 2026. Please note that applications submitted by email will not be considered.
Conversation Partners/Language Tutors meet one-on-one with students to help develop speaking and overall language skills. They guide students in reading comprehension, review course materials and activities, expand vocabulary, and strengthen grammar. Through informal conversation in the target language, they promote fluency and listening skills while providing supplementary language support. This guided practice is intended to complement, not replace, formal classroom instruction.
With some exceptions, all Conversation Partners primarily work with English language learners, helping them develop fluency and proficiency in spoken English while also supporting their understanding of intercultural differences in American academic communication and expectations.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate advanced or near-native proficiency in English. Students with at least intermediate (B1) proficiency in ASL or a foreign language may assist learners of that language. Preference will be given to candidates who speak Arabic, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Italian, or Spanish who can work with learners at a minimum intermediate level. Working exclusively in a non-English language is an exception and may be approved in special cases.
Conversation Partners will have regularly scheduled shifts of 3–8 hours per week, which include weekly language tables. The working hours are flexible and can be scheduled around other obligations.
Who can apply:
Undergraduate students from all academic majors are eligible to apply for these positions. We particularly welcome applicants who have
- extensive experience with language learning
- experience tutoring or teaching English or another language
- personal experience as an English language learner, exchange student, or international student
- experience living, working, or studying abroad.
Students who wish to serve as Conversation Partners for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or American Sign Language (ASL) must have achieved intermediate to advanced proficiency in one of those languages, either through self-study or coursework. (Usually, this means that they have successfully completed language courses at the advanced/3000 level or higher.)
How to apply:
Complete the online application form and submit the following materials (through the form):
- Resume/CV
- Cover letter, including answers to the following:
- What interests you about working with the Language Learning Services and the Conversation Partners program?
- Describe your academic interests and your experiences with languages and international cultures.
- In one paragraph, answer the following question about English or another language you are applying to support:
- Imagine you are helping a student with this language. What is something about the language that you think would be difficult to explain, and how would you explain it? You may consider grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, interaction, slang, culture, etc.
- 2-3 recent academic writing samples - at least one must be in English. If you are applying to be a conversation partner for ASL, please reach out to Chloe Huh Prudente directly.
Only completed applications will be considered.
Please contact Chloe Huh Prudente (chloe@temple.edu) with questions.
Current openings and application deadlines:
The application form for Fall 2026 will become available on April 15, 2026. Please note that applications submitted by email will not be considered.