at CIS University has become much more than an academic activity. Through this initiative, students from different nationalities meet weekly to practice languages, share experiences, and discover new cultural perspectives. We spoke with Professor Tracy Wood, the program and English Department coordinator, to learn more about why this experience is becoming such a success.<\/span><\/p>What exactly is the Language Exchange Program?<\/b><\/p>
\u201cThe program works like any Academic Club where students meet once or twice a week, usually in pairs,\u201d explains Professor Wood. \u201cOne session takes place in one language, and the next in another. This way, each participant becomes both a learner and a guide, creating a friendly and collaborative learning environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>In collaboration with Lola Colomina, Spanish Department Coordinator, Professor Wood coordinates the pairings between local and international students to ensure that each meeting is productive and enriching.<\/span><\/p>What is the main goal of the program?<\/b><\/p>
\u201cThe initial purpose is academic: to support students who are taking language courses or want to improve another language. But the results go far beyond that,\u201d says Wood. \u201cIt\u2019s also about creating connections, building community, and fostering integration and friendship in a multicultural environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>According to the professor, mastering other languages not only broadens personal horizons but also professional ones: \u201cMost of our students are oriented toward the business world, and being able to communicate in several languages multiplies their opportunities.\u201d<\/span><\/p>Learning beyond grammar<\/b><\/p>
This semester, 96 students enrolled in the program, and 58 of them (29 pairs) are meeting regularly. The most commonly spoken languages are English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, and Russian, though participants also speak Greek, Arabic, Bulgarian, Turkish, Swedish, Japanese, and Shona. \u201cApart from English, which remains the most spoken language on campus, the demand for French, Italian, and Russian has grown enormously this year,\u201d notes Wood. \u201cThat shows the curiosity and cultural diversity of our student body.\u201d<\/span><\/p>But the program’s benefits go far beyond linguistic learning. \u201cMany students start the program attracted by the extra 5% academic credit they can earn in their writing or language classes,\u201d Professor Wood says with a smile. \u201cBut most continue because they discover something deeper: friendships, ideas, and opportunities that grow from the simple act of conversation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>A space to grow together<\/b><\/p>
Any CIS University student can sign up during the first few weeks of the semester. From there, meetings begin before midterms, in a format that balances consistency with flexibility.<\/span><\/p>\u201cIt\u2019s a simple but powerful program,\u201d concludes Wood. \u201cSometimes, one conversation can be the starting point to change the way we see the world. And that\u2019s what we aim for at CIS University: to learn from each other and grow together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"On a campus where every accent tells a story, the Language Exchange Program at CIS University has become much more than an academic activity. Through this initiative, students from different nationalities meet weekly to practice languages, share experiences, and discover…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":39845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_trash_the_other_posts":false,"editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[162],"tags":[819,820,522,779,54,882,446,885,273,150,837,39,884,563,883,625,301,878],"class_list":["post-39843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic","tag-american-campus-in-madrid","tag-american-campus-in-spain","tag-american-university-in-madrid","tag-american-university-in-spain","tag-cis-university","tag-cis-university-language-exchange-program","tag-communication-skills","tag-cultural-diversity","tag-cultural-exchange","tag-extracurricular-activities","tag-international-education-in-madrid","tag-international-students","tag-language-club","tag-language-exchange-program","tag-language-learning","tag-soft-skills","tag-university-clubs","tag-university-experience-in-madrid"],"yoast_head":"\n
Interview with Tracy Wood, Coordinator of the Language Exchange Program - CIS University<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n