About Us & Activities

English In Action Conversations

English in Action is a program that matches newcomers to the U.S. with American volunteers for weekly, one-to-one conversation practice sessions.  EIA helps students master conversational English and fosters cross-cultural, global understanding through English.

The Columbus Branch's English in Action (EiA) Program coordinates with The Ohio State University's Office of International Affairs in obtaining the names of OSU visiting scholars. Most of these visiting scholars are working on their masters or doctorate degrees or doing post-doctorate research. All know how to read and write English but need assistance in practicing their English conversation and listening skills. And, this is where ESU EiA volunteers enter the picture.

Each volunteer meets once a week with a visiting scholar for conversation. Once they get to know each other both scholar and volunteer usually engage in other activities such as visiting Ohio's Amish country, going to art exhibits, going to lunch or dinner, shopping, etc.

The EiA volunteers all agree that the visiting scholars have enhanced their lives forging life long friendships. To date, the Columbus EiA Program has assisted scholars from China, Colombia, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Turkey and Venezuela.