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Volunteer Information for Faculty

About the OEPP Volunteer Program

The Oral English Proficiency Program (OEPP) has established a unique undergraduate volunteer program that 1) helps prepare international teaching assistants (ITAs) to become effective instructors at Purdue University, and 2) gives undergraduate students a voice in the preparation of their future TAs.

Our greatest need is for undergraduate volunteers to observe as international teaching assistants (ITAs) in ENGL 620 give short presentations. Volunteers observe 2 presentations in a 50-minute class period. Volunteers may be asked to participate in a question-and-answer session, and will complete a brief written evaluation on each presentation. The OEPP also hosts other volunteer activities throughout the semester including roundtable discussions and one-on-one conversation activities.

Faculty refer undergraduate students to the OEPP website where students may learn more about the volunteer opportunities available to them and sign-up online. More than 1,500 undergraduates volunteered at least one hour of time during the 2011-12 academic year.

How you can help:

Many faculty offer incentives to their students for their participation. For example:

  • Extra credit for attending 2 or more OEPP activities;
  • Volunteering for the OEPP as a way to make up for a missed class;
  • Offering OEPP volunteerism as a choice on a list of required university or community service opportunities.

Students receive a participation memo that can be turned in as proof of their attendance.

If you would like to make your undergraduate students aware of this opportunity, please contact the OEPP for more information: oepp@purdue.edu. At your request, we can visit your class to present a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation on the OEPP volunteer program. We are also able to supply fliers or bookmarks for your students that list the OEPP Web address and contact information. Thank you for your consideration.