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 Fall 2024! **
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 2024-2025 Language Ambassadors
Yuliana
Hello, my name is Yuliana. I am 25 years old and I am from Pasto, Colombia. My city is small but very beautiful, full of the traditions and cultural roots of our ancestors. I live with my mother, my sister, and two nephews. I am currently studying for an undergraduate degree in English-Spanish, and I aspire to be a great teacher in the future. My personal interests include listening to music, reading, watching series, going out with my friends, and traveling. I also like to constantly learn new things, which is why I want to get to know new cultures and people. My expectation for being in Minnesota and at LILA is that it will be a great experience to grow both professionally and personally, create lasting friendships, and learn a lot about places and people, as well as being able to share my culture and how beautiful my country is.
Margarita
Hello! My name is Margarita, I am 21 years old and I am from El Salvador. I am currently studying a degree in English language at Gerardo Barrios University, and I am excited to experience this cultural exchange. I consider myself a friendly and easy going person who loves to help others. I am perseverant and always work hard to accomplish my goals. My interests include artistic activities such as painting, playing the piano, writing and singing. I also have an interest in astronomy. I really enjoy Marvel movies and love to immerse myself in reading books. During my stay in Minnesota, I hope to enjoy the amazing sights and learn a lot about Minnesota's culture. I am looking forward to this new adventure and I am sure it will be an enriching and exciting experience.
Javier
Hello! My name is Javier, but you can call me Javi. I am 21 years old, and I am from San Salvador, the capital city of El Salvador, and I am currently studying a bachelor’s degree in English language. I am excited to have this new experience at LILA, share my knowledge and language, and also learn about American culture, and have new experiences such as making a snowman, something which is not possible in my country. I like playing the piano and the bass, listening to music, visiting new places,meeting new people, making friends, and I like pets. During my stay in Minnesota, I hope to create meaningful memories and relationships.
Sara
Hello! My name is Sara. I am 24 years old and I come from Vigo, a city in Galicia, Spain. It is a place full of beautiful landscapes and many beaches, where you can taste delicious food! I have just graduated as a Primary Education teacher specializing in Music in Segovia and Alicante. I love traveling, getting to know new places, their people and culture. I also love listening to music, singing, playing the piano and saxophone, watching series and photography, cooking for and with my friends, spending time in nature and surrounding myself with people who can bring me interesting things and new knowledge. I am excited and grateful to live this experience in Minnesota, in a place so different from what I am used to. I want to share my culture and traditions while taking advantage of this experience to train myself more as a teacher with new methods and projects.
Ignacio
Hello, my name is Ignacio. I am 22 years old and I have recently graduated in Primary Education, specializing in English. I live in Valencia, which is a very nice city in Spain with a great river park where you can walk and play sports, and also enjoy wonderful beaches at the Mediterranean Sea. I love to practice many sports: running, basketball, tennis, paddle tennis and soccer. Currently in Valencia I am coaching a soccer team for 11-12 year old children. During my stay in Minnesota, I would love to walk outdoors and spend time on the lakes, attend sporting events, ski and fish. I am looking forward to starting this new experience at LILA's school, with new colleagues and my host family in Forest Lake.
Douncam
Hello! My name is Douncam! I am 24 years old and I am from San Salvador, El Salvador. I am studying for a degree in Applied Linguistics in English. I consider myself to be a very positive person who always tries to learn something new. I enjoy playing the drums, singing, writing poetry, composing songs, and teaching. I love pets; I have a French Poodle named Pato. I am very grateful and excited to be a part of LILA and to be able to share the culture of my country, its language, and the customs of its people, as I believe it is very beautiful and rich in history. During my stay in Minnesota, I want to try new foods, attend a hockey game, play soccer, and try skiing. I would like to learn about Minnesota customs, meet new people, and discover new places, so that I can bring all of that back to my country, which will undoubtedly be a wonderful experience.
Wenxuan Yin (Grace)
Hello! My name is Grace. I am 23 years old and I come from Handan, a city in China. It is a place known for its cultural heritage and historical sites. I am a postgraduate majoring in teaching Chinese as a second language in Beijing. I have all kinds of hobbies, such as traveling, reading, listening to music, watching movies and so on. I am very excited and looking forward to my life in Minnesota, a place where the customs are different from my hometown. I want to share my culture while taking advantage of this experience to improve myself both professionally and personally. At the same time, I’d like to go on the lakes and enjoy the scenery. If it is possible, I want to try skiing, too.
Xiaoying Lyu (Ivy)
Hello!My name is Lyu Xiaoying, but you can call me by my English name Ivy. I’m 23 years old and I’m from Shaoyang, China, I live in Beijing now. I am currently studying a master’s degree in Chinese International Education. I love music, traveling, and aerobics. I am interested in musical instruments; I’m also good at Chinese traditional musical instruments. I consider myself to be easy-going, positive, and love life. I would love to share my travel experiences and knowledge with you! I am excited to try some new things in Minnesota and experience Minnesota culture! I hope to make some new friends and have a great and fulfilling time in Minnesota. I will also try to be a good teacher. Looking forward to making wonderful memories with you together!
Meraris
Hello! My name is Meraris, I am 23 years old. I am from Santa Ana, El Salvador. I am studying a Degree in Sciences of Education with specialization in the English language. I would describe myself as hard-working, joyful, brave and reliable. About my interests, I enjoy dancing, cooking, watching series and experiencing new things such as visiting new places, tasting different foods, and participating in different activities. My expectations for this scholar year are to learn about different cultures, share my language and knowledge at LILA. Also, I hope to participate in the diverse activities and traditions of the country, while I improve my skills as a teacher.