Building Bridges: Language Learning for Staff Belonging and Success at UMD is a program where UMD staff practice English for everyday work conversations, designed for non-native English-speaking staff who want to strengthen workplace communication, build confidence, and feel more connected across the university.
Developed in partnership with the Maryland English Institute (MEI), the program pairs weekly, in-person Peer Learning Groups with self-paced learning on the EnGen online platform already available to staff—so online learning is reinforced through supportive conversation practice.
Why Building Bridges?
Frontline staff play an essential role in the daily operations of the University of Maryland. Many staff have limited opportunities to practice English in supportive learning environments, and language barriers can affect workplace confidence, communication, engagement, and access to professional development.
Building Bridges addresses these challenges by creating a welcoming community where staff can strengthen English skills, build connections across campus, and feel more supported in their professional growth.
The program is designed to:
- Strengthen workplace communication and confidence, supporting staff success
- Help frontline staff learn new skills and grow at work.
- Foster inclusion, connection, and belonging across UMD
- Provide hands-on experience leading conversations and supporting staff opportunities for UMD students as trained conversation facilitators and cultural liaisons
How the Program Works
Practice together weekly
Participants join a weekly, in-person Peer Learning Group for conversation practice and support.
Learn online
Live sessions are paired with self-paced lessons on the EnGen learning platform.
Apply skills at work and on campus
The program focuses on practical workplace communication and building confidence through repeated practice.
Program at a Glance
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Hybrid model: weekly 75-minute in-person Peer to Peer sessions paired with self-paced online lessons on the EnGen platform. |
| Length | A 10-week themed curriculum (e.g., sustainability, wellness, professional development) connecting language learning to campus life and resources. |
| Facilitators | Approximately 10-12 trained UMD student facilitators |
| Evaluation | EnGen assessments and analytics, pre/post self-evaluations, participant and supervisor surveys, and facilitator reflections. |
Explore Building Bridges
For Participants
Strengthen your communication. Build confidence. Make connections.
Learn what to expect, who the program is designed for, and how weekly learning and conversation practice can support workplace communication.
For Supervisors & Leaders
Help employees access opportunities to learn and grow.
Learn how leaders can champion Building Bridges, support staff participation, and connect employees with the program.
For Students / Facilitators
Learning that benefits staff and students.
Learn about the facilitator role and how students gain hands-on experience in language education, facilitation, and cross-cultural communication.
For Participants
Strengthen your communication. Build confidence. Make connections.
Building Bridges combines weekly conversation practice with flexible online learning—designed to help staff improve English proficiency, build community, and increase workplace confidence.
What you can expect:
- A welcoming Peer Learning Group environment focused on supportive conversation practice
- Weekly in-person sessions that reinforce self-paced EnGen lessons
- Opportunities to connect with colleagues across campus
How to join the program:
- Interested staff can complete the registration form themselves.
- After a staff member registers, the program team will contact their supervisor to complete a required Supervisor Support Form.
- The pilot plans to enroll 25–30 staff members from different departments, jobs, and shifts.
For Supervisors & Leaders
Help build the bridge.
Leadership and supervisor support are essential to making Building Bridges accessible to frontline employees.
Champion
Raise awareness and share the value of Building Bridges.
Support
Encourage participation and help provide employees the time needed to participate.
Connect
Identify frontline employees who may benefit from the program and connect them to the referral process.
What to expect as a Supervisor
- Participation is coordinated through departments; supervisors/units help identify and refer employees.
- Plan for work coverage so your employee can attend the weekly sessions.
- Employees participate in weekly 75-minute Peer Learning Groups plus self-paced EnGen learning.
For Students / Facilitators
Become a facilitator. Support staff learning. Gain hands-on experience.
UMD undergraduate and graduate students will serve as trained conversation facilitators—supporting staff as cultural liaisons and discussion leaders while gaining experiential learning in language education, facilitation, and cross-cultural communication.
What facilitators do:
- Help lead weekly Peer Learning Groups
- Support inclusive conversation practice and community-building
- Participate in training and reflection
Contact Us
Whether you are interested in participating, supporting an employee, becoming a student facilitator, or learning more about the program, we invite you to connect with us.
uhrbuildingbridges@umd.eduPartners & Supporters
A collaborative UMD initiative.
Building Bridges brings together university departments, language-learning expertise, and campus partners to support employee learning, communication, and belonging.
- University Human Resources (UHR): Program home and leadership
- Maryland English Institute (MEI): Curriculum and English-language learning expertise
- EnGen: Online English-language learning platform
- UMD Do Good Campus Fund: Funding support
- Department of Transportation Services (DOTS): Campus partnership and frontline employee engagement
- Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk (ESSR):Campus partnership, program development, and outreach