General Questions
How do we meet?
Once matched, the student and volunteer can decide together what time to meet each week. They also decide what platform to communicate with. Common platforms include: WhatsApp, Discord, Google Meets, Zoom. If possible, please turn your video on for all meetings.
Who is my buddy? Is it safe?
Everyone participating in our program is 13-21 years old. We make sure everyone's identity is real by interviewing all participants and receiving demographic information before accepting them into the program. We try to match preferences and age as closely as possible.
What if I need to cancel my meeting?
If you need to cancel a meeting, please let your buddy know at least 24 hours in advance. If possible, reschedule the meeting with other times that work for you.
What do we do when we meet?
You can informally chat about daily life, discuss certain topics, or do other activities, depending on the level of preparation beforehand and student's English level. For more information, visit the Learner Materials or Volunteer Materials section.
What do we do during the interview?
We make sure you are actually 21 or under! We also ask some questions to get to know you, understand your English level, your commitment level to our program, provide more information about what we do, and answer any questions you have.
How long is the program?
You can participate for as long as you want, though we hope you stay for at least 3 months so that your buddy won't need to change so often. We hope to continue this program for a long time, so we hope you can share this program with others so we can get new students and volunteers.
What if I want to leave the program?
We're sad to see you go! Please let our team know in advance through email or WhatsApp. Do not just disappear!!!
What if I don't meet the requirements?
Please contact us, and we will discuss on a case-by-case basis if you can still join or not.
Who are you?
We are a group of high school students based in Indonesia and the United States! More information in the About Us and Our Team page.
Why did you start this program?
We saw the need for better resources for English learners in Indonesia. We were also inspired by the ENGin Program founded by Katerina Manoff for Ukrainian students!
Student Questions
How much does it cost?
All our services are FREE forever! We are a volunteer-based organization, so everyone is eager to help the students out at no cost.
What is the commitment level?
Students and volunteers must meet at least 1 hour a week. Students may prepare for the session with materials sent by the volunteer, though there should not be more than 20 minutes of extra preparation time per week if assigned.
Who are the volunteers?
Our volunteers are from Indonesia and other parts of the world. They are all fluent or native speakers in English and are the same as you: 14-21 years old!
Is there a way to track my progress?
We don't have a formal "test," however, you can ask your buddy to assign you some quizzes to test your abilities. Your buddy will also record 2-3 minutes of your meeting every 2 weeks, so you can view your progress over the long term. They can assign presentation assignments to further test your speaking skills.
Can I learn TOEFL or IELTS?
We do not have a formal TOEFL or IELTS curriculum, however, we believe our program can assist you greatly with the listening portion of the assessment and also to practice using vocabulary. If you want more preparation or help, please ask your buddy for more assistance.
What if I'm having difficulty communicating with my buddy?
Please let us know! Let one of the admins in the group chat that you will be added to know. We will try our best to help you solve the problem.
Volunteer Questions
What is the commitment level?
Students and volunteers must meet at least 1 hour a week. 1 buddy = 1 hour/week. Volunteers should prepare for sessions to ensure it is as productive as possible by planning discussion topics, materials, and fun activities for your buddy.
Can you verify my hours?
Yes, we can! Please fill out the hours tracking form after each meeting (found in the Volunteer Materials section of this site), then email us to ask for an official verification form.
How can I be more involved in the program?
If opportunities for extra group meetings, leadership, and other ways to be involved come up, we will keep you updated! Opportunities will be posted in the volunteers group chat.
Do I need to be able to speak Indonesian to help?
No, you don't! If you meet all other requirements, you are eligible to volunteer. Some leadership opportunities require some Indonesian fluency however, so make sure to ask for specific requirements.