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Essentials Opportunities Volunteering Language Buddies

Support pupils learning English. Make a real difference.

Language Buddies connects university student volunteers with school pupils who are learning English as an additional language. Volunteers provide informal conversation support, help with spoken confidence, and work on literacy skills. It's flexible, low-barrier, and designed to be accessible for volunteers from any background or subject - no teaching experience needed.

Why it matters

Pupils learning English often benefit most from regular, relaxed conversation with fluent speakers. Language Buddies creates that space. It boosts confidence, improves spoken English, and helps pupils feel more included in school life. For international volunteers, it's a rewarding way to support vulnerable pupils and build meaningful connections.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Alex Leiden

Email: SIS@reading.ac.uk, Lyle building 3rd floor

 

Further information

What you’ll do

Language Buddies work with individual pupils or small groups on:

● Conversation practice and spoken confidence
● Reading and writing support
● Pronunciation and listening
● Building familiarity with school life and British culture

Who can take part

Any university student. No teaching experience needed. You might be a native English speaker, a fluent speaker of another language, or someone who's learned English as an additional language yourself - all of these bring value. Training is brief and accessible.

Time commitment

Flexible. You might meet with a pupil once a week for an hour, or twice a week for 30 minutes — it depends on what suits both of you and the school. Placements typically run for a term or more, but can be shorter if needed.

Training and Support

Brief online video training covers what support looks like, how to keep things confidential, and practical tips. DBS checks are completed at our drop-in sessions at the Lyle Building  no appointment needed, just turn up!

You won't be alone. We provide resources, answer questions, and support you throughout your placement. If something isn't working, we'll help sort it.

Students in Schools FAQ

On your first visit to your school you need to take the following items with you:

  • Your DBS certificate (if your school have let you start before receiving this you must take it to show the school as soon as it arrives)

  • Photo ID e.g. driving licence, or passport

 

On your first visit please arrive about 20 minutes before your lesson is due to start. Allow plenty of travelling time until you are familiar with the journey, bus times etc.

If timetable changes impact on your volunteering, it is your responsibility to speak to your school to re-arrange an alternative time for you to visit. Please talk directly to your class or link teacher as soon as possible so that they have time to find you another class. Please do not ask the Students in Schools office to arrange this for you as this will take much longer. However, you must notify the SiS Office of these changes to your volunteering schedule once they have been confirmed by your school.

If there is an issue or you are not enjoying the experience, please talk to us before you decide to withdraw as we may be able to solve the issue. Withdrawing can cause reputational damage impacting on future volunteers and upset the schoolchildren who look forward to your visits so it is important to do this delicately. 

However, if you do need to withdraw you must let the school know and email Students in Schools at sis@reading.ac.uk giving as much notice as possible.

If you are unwell and unable to attend you must let the school know as soon as possible. You can contact the school office by telephone or email.

Check the school’s website as any urgent announcement will be prominently posted here. Local radio can also be a useful source of updates. Do not try to email or call the school as the school will not be in a position to respond to individual queries.

 

Let the teacher know it will be your final session as the children will want to say goodbye to you and make sure to thank the school for hosting you . You should receive an email from the SiS team on this date acknowledging your finish. If you do not receive an email within 3 working days then please do let us know that you have finished.
If the school you are attending qualifies for travel expenses, keep all of your receipts , fill out the invoice form and email it to SIS@Reading.ac.uk to verify.
Yes, returning volunteers will be given priority allocation to a school of their choice. You will not need to attend another training session or get another DBS certificate, although you will still need to be in possession of your original certificate.

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