ONE-TO-ONE

Because this was a new program that we started, there are still many aspects that need to be improved upon. Many small details should be evaluated and manipulated to match the needs of the English-learning students to ensure that the program is benefiting a large population. The following steps could be projects for future collaboration groups:

Training programs for volunteers: When we initially started the program, we were the volunteers that helped the individuals with the speaking practice. However, a more formal training process could be devised for potential volunteers. Therefore, students enrolled in this class next semester could focus on creating such a process. This would be beneficial to ensure that all of the volunteers are well prepared for their volunteering experience in order for the students to get the best experience possible.

Lesson plans: While each individual that attends the English conversation group has different desires and goals, it can be hard to accommodate to these needs on the spot. Therefore, students enrolled in this course next semester could form activities and worksheets to act as lesson plans for different aspects of learning English. This will help guide the session in the most productive and beneficial way possible. Further, in terms of the community, this can lead to the English-learning students obtaining their goals.
 

Group communication: It can be difficult to determine the most efficient way to communicate with large amounts of people of varying speaking abilities, technological skills, and amount of access. Therefore, the next group could try different strategies to help find the best form of communication between library administration, volunteers, and English-learning students taking part in the program. This would be an evaluation of our current work that includes the website called Sign-Up Genius. The future group could determine the efficiency of using this website and further manipulate it to figure out the best way to control communication between all parties involved in the program.

Advertisement: A final step that could be addressed by future Community Collaboratory groups is advertisement. This includes the recruitment of future volunteers and students themselves. More volunteers must be recruited as the demand for this program is greater than originally expected. The conversation group should continuously be advertised in the community in order to keep the program as popular as it currently is.