Prospective Students and Mentors

• Students must be enrolled in a course in the target language during every semester that they live in the Language House to ensure steady progress in the target language through both formal and informal instruction
• Uphold the immersion environment by speaking the target language consistently and within the respective language cluster
• Attend and actively participate in the weekly cluster meetings and activities
• Participate and help organize Language House-wide activities and events

The application involves:
Completing an initial application form, including an essay (in English), and two references who can attest to the applicant's abilities in the target language. Successful applications will then be contacted to schedule an oral interview with a faculty member.

Application Deadline

For Fall 2024: best consideration is February 1st, applications will stay open until March 1st! Transfer students, please contact the director with questions regarding your application, even past these deadlines!

Transfer students contact the director for more info on possible applications for the Fall

The Language House students reside in St. Mary’s Hall.
Admitted students must fill out a housing agreement to be included in the Resident Life roster.

For additional information or questions
Please contact the Language House Immersion Program Director by phone at (301) 405-6996 or by email at mmatar@umd.edu.

Responsibilities Include:

• Encouraging and promoting interaction in the target language. Mentors should speak in the target language at all times.
• Monitoring the students' progress in the target language; mentors should spend time with each of the students on a regular basis.
• Planning and implementing a range of interactive activities that will engage students both linguistically and culturally. Some examples of such activities are: events with faculty and students from countries that speak the target language, cooking events, museum visits, lectures, game nights, study breaks, film screenings and discussions, etc.
• Communicating linguistic progress and providing bi-weekly updates on cluster activities with the director of the Language House.
• Participating in professional development, including leadership training, as well as Language House-wide events.
• Working with the faculty liaison and your language program.
• Assisting in the recruitment and retention of students in the cluster by attending recruitment events and conducting classroom visits.

Benefits Include:

• $18/hour salary (Hours range from 7-14/week based on the size of the cluster).
• Monthly professional development opportunities for developing leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Gain experience and skills in linguistic and cultural teaching.
• Build your résumé or CV.
• Develop relationships with university faculty.
• Become part of a vibrant, supportive, and helpful community of faculty and staff.

Preferred Qualifications (♠ = Required Qualification)

• Native or near-native speaker of the desired cluster's target language. ♠
• Be organized, creative, and motivated. 
• Able to work with diverse people. 
• Have teaching or leadership experience.
• Interested in living in St. Mary's Hall.
• For international graduate students: able to work on campus. ♠

The application is accessible here.

The Application Involves:

Completing an initial application, including an essay in English and two references who can attest to your leadership. Successful applications will then be contacted to schedule an interview with the director.

Application Deadline:

The application is always open. We hire new mentors on an as-needed basis.

For additional information or questions
Please contact the Language House Immersion Program Director by phone at (301) 405-6996 or by email at mmatar@umd.edu.

Housing Information
Mentors may choose to reside in St. Mary’s Hall; if so, mentors must fill out a housing agreement to be included in the Resident Life roster.