N-lingual, a Language and Cultural Exchange Program at George Mason University Korea (Mason Korea) The “N-lingual” program at Mason Korea aims to foster multifaceted communication through language. It brings students one step closer to each other through language and cultural exchanges. Let’s hear a bit about its story that will continue to evolve over the coming year.

Q. Hello. Could you please tell IGC Journal readers about N-lingual? 

N-lingual is a language program at Mason Korea. The “N” stands for unknown mathematical numbers, and “lingual” stands for languages. We aim to promote language and cultural exchanges to enhance the lives of students. To that end, we provide tutoring services to help students learn and practice languages. We also work on encouraging diversity and inclusion by arranging events that connect students from diverse ethnicities and backgrounds. Such cultural exchanges through various language-related events bring members from different cultures together in harmony.

Q. Could you tell me what N-lingual does exactly? 

N-lingual provides various activities for Mason Korea students focused on language and cultural exchanges. One of our main activities is the Language Mentoring Program, a one-on-one or two-on-one language exchange that pairs mentees with mentors who speak Korean, English, Chinese, and Spanish. This program is about more than just meeting and talking; it is a structured class led by a mentor for a mentee who wants to learn a foreign language. We also arrange cultural workshops, events, and cultural exchanges on a regular basis to help students from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds understand each other better.  

Q. What was the most meaningful and rewarding experience in your activities? 

When a mentee said, “Now I can communicate fluently with my friends,” it was rewarding to feel like we were really contributing to someone’s growth. It was also especially nice to hear positive feedback from foreign professors who had learned Korean through N-lingual. We also introduced Chinese mentoring this semester for those who wanted it, and we are pleased with the growing number of participants.

Q. Could you tell us the most memorable episodes you had as a member of WAH-!?

We were volunteering to teach science experiments at an international school and interact with schoolchildren. It was the most memorable part. Preparing a customized curriculum for the children was not as easy as we thought. However, we kept trying, for example, selecting teaching aids that would enhance student learning performance and improving classes based on their feedback and opinions. After finishing my last class, the students said to me, “You'll be coming back, right?” I felt relieved that I had done a good job and got a lump in my throat when I realized that we had really clicked. Since this first event, we have been working with international schools for three semesters now and are working hard to bridge the educational gap in the local community

Q. What are your plans for 2025? 

In 2025, we plan to provide more language tutoring, adding Chinese to our existing languagementoring programs. Our executives and EventPlanning Department are working together to arrange English-related events, Teacher’s Day, with flowers and thank-you letters, and Mason Day this semester.

Q. What is N-lingual’s ultimate goal? 

The ultimate goal is not just to improve students’ language skills but to develop their global mindset and intercultural sensitivities. We aim to set the scene for them to naturally experience languages while gaining the values of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect.

Q. What is the process for joining N-lingual? 

You can apply to N-lingual by following the mentor and mentee openings posted at the beginning of the semester. Applicants are selected through individual interviews after completing a short application form, and mentors are expected to have basic language skills and a passion for mentoring. More details will be announced through official social media and the school community.

Park Joo-eun, N-lingual Leader

N-lingual is not just a language class but an open community where you can share your culture and thoughts with others. It’s okay if you are a little less confident in a language; what matters is your willingness to learn and your attitude to communicate. If you want to grow together while enjoying different languages and cultures, you are always welcome to join!

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