The first conversation club at Holland College will help students who want to practice their English

For Holland College international students, it could be hard to find places to practice languages, but finally they might have an option.

By Val Mandujano, Oct. 4, 2023

Fabian Barrera got a great score on the English test he needed to get into the Dental Assisting program at Holland College. 

But it wasn’t enough for him to adapt to the language when he arrived from Mexico. 

    For Barrera it has been hard to understand his classmates because of the speed and the contractions they use when they talk. 

    “There are times when I don't understand them. I keep thinking about what they told me and after a while it’s when I get what they said.” 

The first English conversation club at Holland College started on September 14, to help students practice their English to understand better native speakers. VAL MANDUJANO PHOTO

    After talking to his learning manager, Barrera went to the library and discovered it started a new Conversational English group this fall to practice. 

    When learning English, non-native speakers are usually taught more about grammatical structures rather than conversational phrases.  

    “People tell me 'How come you are here, and you need to improve your English? You should already have a level,’” he said. “I just tell them ‘I have it but, more theoretical than practical.'” 

    Leslie Holt, library resource manager at the College, came up with the idea of starting the club.  

    Over the past two years, students came to her asking about any space to practice their English in natural conversations.  

    At the Club, Barrera has learned Canadian slang and more informal way of speaking. 

Fabian Barrera attended the Conversation Club to feel more confident when speaking, and also has met new people who are going through the same experience. VAL MANDUJANO PHOTO

    “I have learned more casual things, things you don't usually learn when you are taught English,” he said.  

    The Conversation Club started September 14. 

    Holt conducts the sessions.  

    Students meet in the library and discuss different topics that students choose at random from a bucket.  

People chose a topic from a bucket to be discussed every second Thursday at the new English conversation club at Holland College. VAL MANDUJANO PHOTO

    “I feel like I’m a helper. It makes me feel good to help others and knowing they are getting the information they need,” she said.  

    For students like Barrera, the club can be helpful for international students who find it easier to learn by speaking. 

    “I like that the College provides this type of help for students like me, who feel they need to practice more,” he said.  

    Students who attend the club also appreciate getting to know new people. 

    “It is always nice to know new cultures. You can form certain bonds that can strengthen over time,” he said. 

    Others like Hiley Montijo, a Bioscience Technology student, enjoyed the experience of her first session at the club. 

    “It's very cool, because you can make friends, or they can give you a tip that you didn't know.” she said.

    For Montijo, she hopes the club can help her improve her fluency and learn more vocabulary. 

    “It's always hard for me when it comes to technical English, and at the club, talking more about everyday things helps me relax,” she said.  

Students who attended the conversation club say this unique opportunity is helping them improve their English fluency. VAL MANDUJANO PHOTO

    Montijo found the club after seeing a flyer posted in the library. 

She would like the club to have weekly meetings. 

    “Practicing helps you more, if it was every week, I think it would be better,” Montijo said.  

    In Charlottetown, neither UPEI nor the Public Library offers this option to newcomers. 

    “So, I have been looking for other places to practice, but I haven't found any,” she said. 

    On average, half-dozen students have attended the bi-weekly sessions.  

    “More promotion would be better for more students to join, even if they are afraid to ask for help to improve their speaking skills,” said Barrera.