FAQs for ENGin Volunteers

Yes, ENGin is a nonprofit organization. We have thousands of volunteers who are fluent in English and ready to conduct speaking sessions with you.

ENGin welcomes participants from 9 years old and above.

1-on-1 Format (1 Student + 1 Volunteer): in this format, you'll be paired with a dedicated volunteer, and the session will be conducted individually. This option is suitable for those who feel comfortable speaking for one hour, have specific goals, and seek personalized attention to fit their unique needs. Mini-Group Format (2 Students + 1 Volunteer): this format involves a small group consisting of a minimum of 2 students (of a similar English level) and one volunteer, with the possibility of accommodating more participants upon request of the whole group. It's an ideal option if you enjoy learning in a collaborative environment and benefit from peer interaction. You can also request to be grouped with a friend or family member if your English proficiency levels and schedules align. Learn more about the Mini-Group format below.

We ask you to spend 1 hour a week on ENGin sessions for a minimum of 3 months. This is how long it usually takes to see progress in your English. The longest official time you can stay in the program is 1 year. After 1 year, you will become an ENGin alumnus. This means you will still get program emails and can join our Telegram chats, groups, and special activities. You can keep meeting with your volunteer if they want to continue, but we cannot find a new volunteer for you if they stop meeting with you. If you want to have a new volunteer after the first year, you can pay 750 UAH to join the program again for another year.

Your year at ENGin begins on the day you receive your first match email. You should expect that it may take a week or two to get in touch with the volunteer and schedule your first session. If we need to rematch you to a different volunteer, this may also take a few weeks. This is counted as program time.

We can pause your participation and restart it at a later date. It is your responsibility to inform us if you need to take a break. In this case, we may reassign your volunteer to a new student, so you are not guaranteed to work with the same volunteer after returning to the program.

If you are offered a place in the ENGin program, we expect you to treat us and your volunteer with respect. This means: Attending regular weekly sessions for at least 3 months Actively participating in sessions Answering your volunteer's emails in a timely manner Respecting your volunteer's schedule and being flexible about when to meet Writing to us right away if you have an ongoing problem with your buddy so that we can resolve it or match you to a new volunteer. If students display a pattern of failing to respond to a volunteer's emails or canceling/missing sessions, they will receive one warning before being asked to leave the program. If students disappear without warning the ENGin team, they will receive a lifetime ban from the program. (In case of an emergency, we ask you to notify us as soon as possible after the emergency situation).

Our sessions usually happen in the evening Ukrainian time to accommodate for time zone differences. Many sessions happen on weekends because volunteers are busy during the week. We match you with volunteers who are available at the same times you indicate on your application form. Exact session times are determined directly with your volunteer.

During your speaking sessions, our dedicated volunteers aim to enhance your fluency skills and boost your confidence in real-life English conversations. Each volunteer chooses what to focus on based on your needs and goals. Depending on your English level, you might have casual conversations about music, politics, work, school, or any other topic of interest. Additionally, our volunteers may introduce various activities like role plays, watching and discussing videos, and learning grammar. While the volunteer plans the sessions, you can always suggest and request topics to focus on.

While many of our volunteers live in the US, we have volunteers from 140+ different countries. A few of our volunteers are fluent English speakers living in Ukraine. You cannot request a volunteer from a specific country.

We have a diverse group of volunteers and we don't know who is a native speaker and who isn't. Some volunteers immigrated to the US as children, but speak flawless English. Others were born in the US but have regional accents. We even have volunteers who live outside the US but are native English speakers. We interview every volunteer to make sure they are fluent in English, so you can be confident you will not be practicing with another English learner :)

No, the majority of our all volunteers do not have professional teaching or tutoring experience.

If you left Ukraine after February 24, 2022 to escape the war, you are eligible for our program. If you emigrated before the war, you are not eligible for the program. ​

ENGin strives to be inclusive and help people with disabilities practice English. Therefore, if you need support and other conditions for practicing language (for instance, communication by text), email us: info@enginprogram.org

To make sure sessions are effective and safe, we ask participants to have their video on.

Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to add multiple languages to the program now, so we're focusing on English. English fluency unlocks the largest knowledge base and the most opportunities - online courses, top universities, useful books, good jobs. Though other languages are also valuable, English is the most universal language - the language that will connect you to a global conversation in any field. ​If you are interested in creating your own program focusing on a different language, we are happy to share what we’ve learned about building a successful speaking practice program. Email us info@enginprogram.org for a guide.

Yes, the one-time registration donation sum remains the same. You will receive the same program benefits and valuable learning experiences regardless of the format.

Mini-groups typically consist of 1 volunteer and a minimum of 2 students, with the possibility of accommodating more participants upon request of the whole group.

When placing participants in a mini-group, we consider a few key factors to ensure a good match. First, we look at schedules to make sure everyone’s availability aligns. We also respect gender preferences and try to match students with similar hobbies and interests. Additionally, we pair students with similar English proficiency levels to facilitate effective communication. However, if, after being matched, you find that your level is significantly higher or lower than that of another group participant, please email us at info@enginprogram.org.

You can request to be in a mini-group with a family member or friend, as long as your schedules and English levels are compatible. To make this happen, ensure that your friend or family member has joined ENGin, completed the onboarding process, and is in the "waiting for match" status. Then, simply send an email to info@enginprogram.org with their name and email address. We will review the request, and if it aligns with our guidelines, we’ll do our best to place you in the same group. Please note that adults aged 18 and over can be grouped together regardless of age difference. Participants between the ages of 9 and 17 can only be placed in a mini-group within their age category.

If you find that you do not enjoy the mini-group format after joining, remember that group dynamics can take some time to settle. We recommend attending a few sessions to see if things improve. Open communication is key! If there are specific aspects you're not enjoying, discuss them openly with your volunteer. Honest communication can often address minor issues and significantly enhance your overall experience. In case after several weeks the situation doesn’t improve, please email our team at info@enginprogram.org and will try to help you.

Please note that we can't offer rematches based solely on personal preferences or if you simply don't like group members. In real life, you’ll encounter diverse personalities and group settings, and this experience can help you build the skills needed to navigate those situations. However, if there are serious conflicts, please reach out to our team at info@enginprogram.org, and we will investigate and provide support.

Your or your volunteer’s schedule changes, making it impossible to find a common time to meet. The other students in your group have significantly different English levels, making it difficult for you to progress effectively. You face ongoing issues with your volunteer, such as frequent cancellations, ignoring messages, or inappropriate behavior. We take program rules very seriously and will investigate any reported issues. If these are serious violations, we will offer you a rematch. Additionally, after 6 months, you can request a rematch to either an individual format or a new mini-group without needing a specific reason.

After a minimum of 6 months working in a mini-group, you may request to switch to individual practice.

If one of the students cannot join a session, the meeting will proceed with the volunteer and the other student(s), unless the entire mini-group agrees to reschedule. We encourage you to respect each other's time and commitments and only ask for rescheduling in case of emergencies.

If the other student in your mini-group is unable to continue participating in ENGin, we will search for a new student to join your mini-group. Your volunteer will be notified by email as soon as a new participant is available.

You decide with your mini-group. Participants are matched based on the availability indicated during the application process to ensure there are common meeting slots. We recommend setting fixed days and times for your mini-group meetings. Having a consistent schedule helps ensure regular attendance and a structured learning experience.

It depends on the current availability of participants. Sometimes you may join a newly created mini-group, and other times you may join an existing pair of a student and a volunteer/ mini-group.

Yes, the mini-group format is highly effective. It allows you to practice communicating in group settings, exposes you to different accents, and fosters a supportive, interactive environment. ENGin also provides session materials to ensure productive meetings. Working in groups enhances your speaking opportunities and helps develop teamwork and negotiation skills, which are crucial for real-life interactions. Overall, working in groups offers numerous benefits, including: Developing collaborative communication skills Gaining exposure to different perspectives and communication styles Building confidence and fluency through active participation

The primary source of communication at ENGin is email. If your volunteer is comfortable using a messenger like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram etc, they may also create a group chat for your mini-group.

In the mini-group setting, we suggest a comprehensive approach to monitoring progress, combining individual assessments and regular check-ins with the whole group. This includes utilizing the ENGin Progress Tracking System for self-assessments which allows us to track your personal development over time. Additionally, your volunteer will be asked to conduct regular check-ins within the group setting. This dual approach ensures that your progress is monitored and that you receive the necessary guidance to achieve your English language goals effectively.

We understand your concern. Our volunteers are provided with tips and recommendations to make sure everyone gets a chance to speak and feel comfortable. Even if you're shy, you'll have plenty of opportunities to share during your sessions.

Absolutely! We encourage participants to contribute ideas for discussion topics based on their interests, goals, and experiences. This helps tailor the sessions to the group's preferences and ensures engaging conversations.

Mini-group sessions typically involve various activities and discussions led by the volunteer. These activities are designed to enhance language skills, foster collaboration, and promote cultural exchange within the group.

It depends on why you are asking and how long you've been matched. ​ You cannot request a rematch because you don't like your buddy's nationality or accent. This is discrimination, and it is illegal. We guarantee that your volunteer will be fluent in English, but we cannot guarantee what they will look or sound like. Most of our volunteers live in the US, but we also have volunteers from 140+ other countries. Some volunteers were born in America and now live in another country. Some were born in another country but now live in America. Many of our volunteers are Asian-American, Hispanic, Black, or multiracial. Many grow up speaking 2 or 3 languages themselves. Also, there is not one "correct" accent. Even in America, a volunteer from Texas or Louisiana will sound different than a volunteer from New Jersey or California. Meeting and learning from different people is an important part of this program. ​ If your volunteer breaks program rules more than once, you may ask for a rematch. For example: repeated cancellations (without offering to reschedule), repeated no-shows, ignoring messages for weeks, not preparing for sessions, or inappropriate behavior. ​ When you report a problem with a volunteer, we will investigate with the volunteer and try to fix it. * If the volunteer has disappeared or cannot fix the problem, we will rematch immediately. * If the volunteer promises to improve their behavior, we will keep the match. If the problem continues, you can write to us again and we will rematch. ​ After 6 months together, either buddy may ask for a rematch without any problems, just to try talking to someone new. If you are paired with a Ukrainian volunteer, you may ask for a rematch to a volunteer outside Ukraine after 3 months. Please note: All rematch requests MUST go through info@enginprogram.org. Do NOT simply tell a volunteer that you no longer want to work with them (unless you are quitting the program).

Text/email your volunteer again and wait for a few days. If your volunteer doesn’t respond, email us at info@enginprogram.org.

Please try to be flexible with your schedule. Remember, your volunteer is donating their time to help you learn! Most of our volunteers are available only in the evenings Ukrainian time, and many are only available on weekends. If you can’t resolve your scheduling difficulties, please email us at info@enginprogram.org.

It usually takes some time for students and volunteers to become comfortable with each other. Also, cultural differences are real - you might be misinterpreting your volunteer’s comments or body language. Please, wait a few sessions. Try different activities and speaking topics, and get to know each other. If things haven’t improved after 4-5 sessions, email us at info@enginprogram.org and we can help.

Some of our volunteer-student pairs become friends. But many of our volunteers have a more professional relationship with students, and that’s okay! ​ When we match students and volunteers, we start with key logistical factors - gender preferences, age (minor vs. adult), and, most importantly, schedules. Then, once we’ve met these criteria, we consider interests and personalities. ​ Remember, the purpose of our program is to help you improve your English-speaking skills and learn to speak with someone from a different culture. As long as you are learning and making progress, the match can be considered a success!

Message your volunteer and remind them that you would like to have an hour of practice each week. If they need to cancel a session, you can ask them to reschedule (for example, miss a session one week and have two sessions the next week). If your volunteer is still not able to provide you the required 1 hour of practice each week, email us at info@enginprogram.org and we can help.

Unfortunately, no. At this time we are only assigning one volunteer to each student to be fair to all students.

Our progress tracking system is based on self and peer assessment. Self-assessment means you will evaluate yourself, and peer assessment means your volunteers will evaluate your skills.

The following skills are going to be evaluated: communication skills grammar/vocabulary/writing confidence in the use of language intercultural knowledge

No, we do not disclose this information to learners.

Overall, you and your volunteers are going to complete 3 evaluations in a program: you will complete your first self-assessment while registering for the program; your volunteer will complete the first assessment of your skills after 2 meetings with you; the next assessments will be after 3 months and 9 months in the program.

Currently, all assessments are completed in your personal account on our platform https://app.enginprogram.org

We will send you a reminder email when it's time to complete the evaluation.Additionally, whenever you log into your personal account at https://app.enginprogram.org, you will see the dates of the upcoming evaluation under the calendar on the right.

We kindly ask you to complete the assessment within a 2-week term. Otherwise, the data will not be accurate. However, the survey will be active for 1 month.

No! Please, be objective, honest, and realistic in your assessment and answers. Keep in mind that your answers won’t put your participation in the program at stake.

Yes, progress tracking is obligatory for ENGin participants.

Yes, participants are eligible to get a certificate of ENGin program completion after 6 months and 1 year in a program. To receive your ENGin participant certificate, complete this request form with the required details. Please note that this service comes at a cost of 300 UAH.