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The Graduate School at the University of Missouri–Columbia (Mizzou)

English Conversation Resources: International Teaching Assistants/Instructors

The International Teaching Assistant Program (ITAP) encourages international teaching assistants (ITAs) and ITA candidates and their families to practice their English speaking and listening skills through informal conversation.

These resources were updated for the Fall 2007 semester. Those listed here are free of charge and open to all internationals. If you are aware of any other formalized conversation programs available to MU students, please contact Janet Bradshaw.

Multicultural Community Hour

This group is sponsored by multiple organizations. It provides opportunities for international and American students to join in casual conversation. Refreshments are provided at each meeting.

Language Partners Program
  • The time and place is determined by the paired individuals.
  • Women's Center
  • 882-6621
  • 229 Brady Commons
  • http://women.missouri.edu

This group, sponsored by the MU Women's Center, pairs native English speaking students with international students to provide the international students an opportunity to practice their conversational English and the native English speaking students the opportunity to learn more about other cultures.

Pairs are asked to meet for at least one hour once a week. Participants are also notified via e-mail about free campus programming of interest.

Conversational Table Talk

This group is sponsored by the Baptist Students Association (BSU) Collegiate Ministries. They offer free conversational table-talk with Americans.

English Conversation Group Program
  • International Friends Center, Suite 1900, University Place Apts., 1205 University Ave
  • Groups meet Monday through Thursday evenings, 7-8 p.m. and 8-9:15 p.m. There are eight different groups. You can choose the time that works best for you. Just come and register with the group leader.
  • Contact Craig (johncraigcolbert@aol.com) or Shirley Colbert (ismcook@aol.com)
  • 239-0872

These groups, sponsored by International Friends InterFACE Ministries, are intended for internationals who have passed or are preparing for the TOEFL.

International Friends also offers Easy English Classes for spouses. They are Wednesday and Thursday from 12-1 p.m. There are also Friendship Dinners. For information, visit www.ifcolumbia.org.

Clases de Ingles at Centro Latino

Centro Latino offers free English classes for speakers of other languages, as well as translation services, assistance with job and housing searches, and diabetes and AIDS testing.

English as a Second Language Program (ESL), International Community Church (ICC)
  • 1107 University Avenue
  • English Conversation Classes: Mon., Tues., & Weds.: 1:00- 2:15pm (Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Tues. & Weds.: 7:00- 8:15 pm
  • Engineering & Technical English: Weds. 1:00- 2:15 pm
  • Medical English (from October)
  • Bible English for Internationals: Weds. 12:00- 1:00 pm
ICC offers a variety of opportunities for internationals and their families to hone their English skills. These include formal ESL classes coordinated by Sandy Fox, who has a Master’s Degree in Teaching ESL, and numerous informal activities such as the Sunday Celebration (11 am-12:30 pm), potlucks, various Bible studies, and short trips in and outside Columbia.