Conversation Partners Program (CPP)

About CPP

The Conversation Partners Program (CPP) is a program that matches native and nonnative English speakers for a semester of informal conversation. The program is designed to help nonnative students gain confidence in speaking English and navigate the local culture through their conversation with native speakers. Practicing English outside of the classroom environment is important in improving English proficiency. By speaking with native English speakers, the nonnative students will be able to participate more actively in the classroom and succeed academically.

At the same time, both native and nonnative English speakers will expand their cultural knowledge, make friends, and build a network of professional contacts through their interactions with their conversation partners as well as at the events that CPP hosts. Both the conversations and events facilitate intercultural interaction and learning within the Baruch and CPP community.

Leadership Development and Service

Serving 200-300 Baruch students each semester, student leaders holding e-board positions and managing different committees (events, marketing, public relations, and pair matching) work with the Program Director and faculty advisors to bring to Baruch the benefits CPP aims to provide.

As a student coordinator in the program, you will develop interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, decision-making, delegation, and technical skills while learning how to take initiative, how to manage a group, and be accountable. As a student coordinator, you get to explore your leadership style and what works best for you when leading a group. You will also be empowered to make decisions related to your CPP functions and to be responsible for coordinating and ensuring the successful execution of key program functions. You will find such an experience helpful as you grow and develop to become a better leader.

CPP leadership positions (a student may hold two positions concurrently):

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Events Coordinator/ Chair of Events Committee
• Marketing Coordinator/ Chair of Marketing Committee
• Pair Matching Coordinator/ Chair of Pair Matching Committee
• Public Relations Coordinator/ Chair of Public Relations Committee

Visit the Conversation Partners Program website to learn more about CPP.

For additional questions, contact us at baruchcpp@gmail.com.