This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Emily, one of our dedicated volunteers who has been leading Language Exchange workshops for nearly a year. Her sessions help refugees in Paris improve their English skills — but more than that, they build community, confidence, and connection.
- How did you first get involved with Serve the City Paris?
“I used to volunteer as an English tutor in the United States, and I really enjoyed that process,” Emily says. “When I moved to Paris, I wanted to do something similar, especially working with refugee communities. I found Serve the City online, and I’ve been volunteering since January — it’s been about 11 months now.” - Can you tell us a bit about how the Language Exchange workshops work?
“It’s going really well! I love the structure we have,” she explains. “Each week we focus on a concept — last week, for example, we talked about autumn weather. We start with a short lesson where everyone listens and repeats, and we build on grammar and tenses gradually. Since participants’ English levels vary a lot, we always start from the basics. Then we pair volunteers with beneficiaries for around 40 minutes of conversation — and, of course, we finish the evening with pizza upstairs!” - What do participants gain from joining these sessions?
“Sometimes participants ask, ‘Why English?’ but English really is a very useful language,” Emily shares. “It helps them in their jobs and with integrating into a new culture. For some who don’t currently have work, it also helps create a sense of rhythm and purpose. It’s not just language learning — it’s community building.” - You sometimes run the sessions alone. How do you keep them engaging?
“I like to make them interactive — I spend about 15 minutes on vocabulary and cultural concepts, then 40 minutes on pair conversations. It’s all about participation and connection.” - Can you share a memorable moment from your time volunteering?
“One day, a few of the beneficiaries shared their personal stories — walking from another country, being chased by dogs, or going days without food,” Emily recalls. “Those moments remind me of the resilience they have. Another time, we took 15 beneficiaries to Disneyland Paris. They told me they felt like kids again that day — so happy and carefree. That’s something I’ll never forget.” - What have you personally gained from this experience?
“I’ve found a strong sense of purpose through volunteering,” Emily says. “It gives me good feelings — and I’ve made real friendships with other volunteers. It’s fulfilling on so many levels.” - What would you say to someone thinking about joining Serve the City as a volunteer?
“I’d say you have nothing to lose! You can come as often as you like, contribute from day one, and have fun — and don’t forget, there’s always pizza!”
💬 Thank you, Emily, for your passion, warmth, and commitment to helping others feel at home through language and friendship.