For Supporters: Helping Refugee Students

Still have questions about using Haven? Check out these common questions:

How do I complete my account?

How can I help refugees?

How can I get into matches?

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🗂️ Welcome to the easiest way of helping refugees in the country.

Refugees arriving in Canada need help in many different ways. However, a common challenge that refugees face is language. Without English or French, they can’t start life in Canada.

Haven helps refugees improve their language by (1) connecting them with Canadians for casual conversation practice, and (2) organizing formal online classes with professional ESL teachers.

We need your help with that first part.

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The goal: Help a refugee through casual chats, online or in-person.

That’s right - just by speaking with a refugee, and giving them an opportunity to put their English or French speaking and listening to work, you can help them improve their language level.

🇫🇷 Note, we will be building resources for French practice soon!

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🧠 How does it work?

Match with a refugee on Haven: app.findhaven.org. We recommend reaching out to 2 or 3 refugees to start. Some might be busy!
Schedule a time for a call. Find a time that works for you both. You can have a video call using Google Meet, which you can access through your Haven chat with the refugee.
Have an introduction call: Use our guide: Your First Chat: Introductions and Learning Goals.

During the call, ask the refugee if its okay for you to correct their English or to offer suggestions as you chat. They will say yes (of course!), and you will feel more comfortable offering feedback.

Choose a Chat Pack: These are small collections of 3-5 conversations, all on one theme. Choose a Chat Pack together with your refugee partner, and complete it over the next few weeks: Chat Pack Library
Continue to meet: When you’ve finished your first Chat Pack, its up to you if you want to continue with this refugee student, move on to someone else, or pause your volunteering at that point. You choose what comes next!

If you have questions about the experience at any point, you can reach out to us at [email protected]

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🗂️ Our top tips to make this the best volunteering experience of your life.

Remember that you are a conversation practice volunteer, not an ESL teacher.

English is hard. Why things are the way they are is a mystery.