Testimonials

I’ve enjoyed volunteering at SET, where I’ve had the privilege of connecting with L2 learners and supporting them in developing their language skills. This experience has not only reinforced my passion for language education but also deepened my commitment to fostering meaningful communication across cultures.

Studying in a French institution and growing up in an Italian household while living in New York City gave me the wonderful opportunity to encounter different cultures. I’ve also been studying Spanish since middle school and was fascinated by this beautiful language. SET has granted me the opportunity to practice my Spanish while helping students develop their English skills as well. I am thrilled to be part of the SET team as it enables me to learn more about the students’ culture and everyday life. Through this enriching experience I made connections with lovely students and am so happy to see their progress with each session.

SET has given me the opportunity to learn so much more about Spanish culture while being able to help students practice their English. SET has been an amazing experience and I'm so glad to be a part of this organization!

Our more advanced English students began participating in SET classes and through this have increased their pronunciation and conversational skills. This has opened doors for them to engage in the global dance world virtually, especially during the pandemic. We look forward to more of our students advancing and being able to participate in SET in the near future. Thank you SET for opening doors and worlds through your program!

I joined the SET program because I think it is a great way to connect with students in other countries. Creating these relationships also allows me to learn more about their cultures and meet new people. I am so excited to be part of the SET team!

In a world where we are all looking for ways to be "helpers", Speak English Together, provides just that opportunity. It takes just a little bit of your time and, from my own experience, that little bit of time reaps big rewards.

SET has given me the incredible opportunity to educate myself on a different culture by speaking with the students in Mexico each week. Because the volunteers help the students with their English, SET provides a space where both parties participating are giving something important to each other. Through the hardships of COVID, Speak English Together has been able to utilize technology to create an incredible program that connects the US with Mexico. I am so thankful to be a part of SET.

I'm so so excited to be volunteering with SET! I love language and the connections it can build.

SET has given me the opportunity to learn more about Mexican culture by speaking to Mexican students. I am so excited to be part of a program that allows me to grow while helping others!

The Spanish language and culture fascinates me and I’m excited that SET gives me the opportunity to not only help Mexican students learn English, but also help me learn more about their culture and everyday life. It makes me happy to see the same kids each week and to see the progress that each of them make.

Having gone to a bilingual French school my whole life, I learned the importance of exposure to more than one language early on. I am so grateful for this and so happy that SET has taken the initiative to give people the opportunity to learn English -- it’s a powerful tool. Since I started volunteering, the students have never failed to amaze me with their dedication to progress and their willingness to speak. I understand it is not always the easiest to communicate in a language that is not your own. And it has been rewarding on both ends: it warms my heart to hear the kids share their own cultures with me as we build our connections.

I have been learning Spanish for almost ten years now and speaking with native Spanish speakers was an extremely helpful way for me to learn. This program was the perfect opportunity for me to help others learn in a similar way as I did. Each week, I look forward to helping and getting to know these teenagers.

Being a volunteer for Speak English Together has been a wonderful experience. I look forward to each weekly session and my time with the program has been nothing but positive. Speak English Together has allowed me to connect with many excellent students worldwide and build amazing connections that have been valuable to both parties. Learning a language is a truly wonderful experience and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing process and program.

I taught ESL previously as a volunteer for a community program in Alabama and am happy to have another opportunity to connect with English learners through SET.

To interact with the students in Mexico is awesome and really fun!! I practice some Spanish, the students improve their English, and we both leave as closer friends. I am so lucky to be a part of SET and to be virtually emerged in a different culture.

I am so very grateful to be able to offer my knowledge in the English language to others.

I made a New Year's resolution to assist others through language. Thank goodness a New Year's resolutions and a connection with an old friend has brought me to SET.

I volunteer with SET because it makes me feel that I am truly doing something. I am working with someone face-to-face, and—over the course of weeks—I am able to see them improve. The effects may seem small and gradual, but to help someone learn an invaluable skill—and smile because of it!—is a distinct privilege.

As someone who struggled with a language and found importance in communication, I find it vital to help students work through the language through conversations. Overall, SET has been a great experience, and I look forward to forming stronger relationships with the students.

[SET] has allowed me to have genuine interactions with people of different cultures and ethnicities - It is among the most applicable and important subjects I have encountered in my academic career. I am thrilled to now be able to use this skill to contribute to contribute to the language learning process.

My name is Kayla Niksarli and I am from Manhattan, New York. I am currently a sophomore at Marymount School of New York. I enjoy reading, staying active, and hanging out with friends. I take Spanish at my school and have really enjoyed building relationships with students through SET. Ever since I joined, SET has furthered my love for the Spanish language and culture. I am so excited to be part of SET.

SET has furthered my love for the Spanish language and culture. I look forward to conversing with the students I am paired with each week. Also, I am fortunate to have this beautiful opportunity to learn more about each other's lives in different places worldwide by growing our language skills.

I had such a wonderful experience while working with SET this past year! Each weekly session I look forward to and I get to learn so much about the student in Mexico/Guatemala. I love learning Spanish in school and it is awesome to be able to use some of my skills outside of the classroom!

Growing up, I was part of an Immersion Program that allowed me to start learning French from a young age, and I have been studying French ever since. I am so excited to continue developing my French skills and building relationships with people from Francophone cultures through SET!

I was excited to join SET because I really enjoyed learning the Spanish language. And I feel like it’s only right for me to give back and help teach English to kids.

Last spring, I decided to join Speak English Together in order to help kids in Spanish speaking countries learn English. I’m thankful to be a volunteer here and look forward to future experiences.

I love speaking to any Hispanic people in Spanish whenever I can. I am so proud to be putting this skill to such an important cause like education.

It is so interesting to learn about the everyday lifestyle of kids my age who live outside America. I think that the teens on both ends of the Zoom screen are curious about our differences and warmed by our similarities. I am so glad that SET has introduced me to so many new friends

I was so excited to join SET because of my passion for learning the Spanish language and working with kids. This SET semester, I’ve had the opportunity to build connections with some of the students each week. It makes me so happy to see how much progress they are making. Whether we are talking about school, holidays, or Taylor Swift, I always have the best time. I am so happy to be part of such an amazing organization!