Host a Language Ambassador
Language Ambassadors Enrich the Learning Experience
Language ambassadors are a vital part of our language immersion program at LILA. They are interns from Spanish- and Chinese-speaking countries who assist our teachers in the classroom, and provide language and culture models for our students. They are considered teaching assistants, and they help maintain a low student to teacher ratio at LILA. They work with individual students, small groups, or supervise activities of the large group, allowing the teacher to give more attention to students who need more help or more challenge. Ambassadors are are typically assigned to Lower School classrooms, but they may assist on occasion at Upper School.
Language ambassadors bring their own languages and cultures to life by engaging and motivating students, leaving them with new confidence in their ability to communicate across borders. Having ambassadors in the classrooms also gives students the opportunity to hear authentic target-language conversation between the ambassador and the teacher, rather than only between learners or between the teacher and students. It's a proven program for enhancing the educational experiences of LILA students and staff, the host families, and the language ambassadors.
Hosting a Language Ambassador
Host families come in all shapes and sizes. They serve as a language ambassador’s substitute family for half the school year. They provide room and board - a private bedroom, shared bathroom, and meals - and are encouraged to involve ambassadors in social, cultural or family events. Host families are not required to cover any other expenses - ambassadors bring their own spending money. They provide care, moral support, and basic needs to a language ambassador as if they were a member of the family. Host families also provide transportation to and from LILA each day. Transportation assistance can sometimes be arranged if this is a barrier to hosting. Host families receive a $1,000 stipend at the end of their hosting period. We recognize that this stipend will not cover all costs incurred by families in the course of hosting for five months, but we hope that it defrays the cost enough so that more families can participate in hosting.
Interested in becoming a host family? Fill out the Host Family Application today!
**We are currently in need of host families for the 2026-2027 School Year! **
DID YOU KNOW?
The Language Ambassadors Program at LILA is supported and funded by the Lakes International PTO, which is funded by parents.
Meet LILA's 2026-2027 Language Ambassadors
Carlos
Hi there, my name is Carlos, and I'm from San Miguel, El Salvador. I've always believed that some of the best memories in life come from the people we spend it with. As the oldest of three brothers, I've naturally become someone my family can count on, and that experience has taught me patience, responsibility, and the importance of looking out for others. I'm the kind of person who enjoys bringing people together, whether we're cooking a meal, playing basketball or soccer, watching a movie, or simply talking around the dinner table. I love learning about different perspectives, sharing my own culture, and making the people around me feel welcome. Those everyday moments of laughter, conversation, and connection are what I value most.
I hope to build genuine relationships and create memories that we'll all carry long after my year in Minnesota comes to an end.
Carlota
Hello! My name is Carlota, and I’m from Valladolid, Spain. I’m an open-minded and adventurous person who loves traveling, trying new experiences, and learning from the people I meet along the way. Spending a year in Canada with a host family taught me how meaningful it can be to share everyday life with people from another culture. When I’m happiest, I’m usually outside playing basketball or tennis, exploring a new place, spending time with friends and family, or relaxing with my three dogs. I love making the most of every opportunity and creating memories with the people around me.
I believe every new place, person, and experience has a story to tell, and every shared meal has the power to bring people together.
Fei
Hello! My name is Fei, and I'm from Dezhou in Shandong Province, China. I'm naturally curious and enjoy discovering new cultures, meeting new people, and finding beauty in everyday life. Whether I'm sharing a homemade meal, reading a good book, taking a peaceful walk, or enjoying a quiet conversation, I find happiness in the simple moments that bring people together.
I believe kindness, patience, and curiosity can help us build meaningful connections wherever we are. I'm excited to share my Chinese culture, learn from yours, and experience all of the ordinary moments that make life so special.
Inés
Hi! I'm Inés, and if there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love being around people— especially children!
I'm the kind of person who loves bringing people together. Whether I'm coaching basketball, planning games, or simply spending time with family and friends, I enjoy creating moments that make people laugh and feel included. I'm happiest when I'm staying active, exploring somewhere new, listening to music, or sharing everyday experiences with the people around me. I believe life is made up of little moments, and those are often the ones that become our favorite memories.
"The best memories are made through the little moments we share together." I hope to share laughter, learn from your family, and create friendships and memories that will last long after my year in Minnesota has come to an end.
Karen
Hello there! My name is Karen, and I am from El Salvador. Home has always been my favorite place—not because of where I live, but because of the people I share it with. Some of my favorite moments are helping my mom make tortillas, sitting outside with my family while we share a cup of coffee and talk about our day, or spending weekends together making pupusas. Those simple moments have taught me that the best memories are made by spending time with the people you love.
I'm a creative person who loves making crafts, spending time outdoors with my dog Bianca, watching a good series, and finding joy in life's little moments. I enjoy sharing my culture through food, traditions, and time spent together, and I believe some of the best conversations happen around the kitchen table while cooking a meal or enjoying a cup of coffee.
Ricardo
Hi! My name is Ricardo, and I am from Valladolid, Spain. Some of my favorite memories are the simple ones—sharing a meal, playing games with friends, walking the dogs, or spending time talking with family after a busy day. Those everyday moments are what make me feel most at home. I'm naturally curious and love discovering new cultures, languages, and traditions, which inspired me to spend four weeks studying Korean in South Korea. Whether I'm cooking, reading, traveling, listening to music, or trying something new, I enjoy experiences that bring people together and create lasting memories.
No matter where I am, I believe home is created through the people, conversations, and memories we share together.
Gau Xing
Hello! My name is Xing, and I'm from China. I've always loved discovering the stories that make people and places unique. Whether I'm exploring a new park, taking photographs, experiencing a different culture, or spending time with friends and family, I enjoy collecting moments that become lasting memories.
I love photography, reading, swimming, Chinese dance, and traditional paper cutting, and I'm always excited to learn something new. I believe curiosity, kindness, and shared experiences are some of the best ways to build meaningful connections.