Culture and Language Exchange (CLE)

The Culture and Language Exchange (CLE) is a one-of-a-kind program at SMC. Through language partnerships and cross-cultural exchanges, the CLE fosters rich, communicative experiences for all SMC students. Language Partnerships pair native speakers of languages and cultures with students who are interested in those languages and cultures. Participants are encouraged to spend equal time speaking in each language in their weekly or bi-weekly meetings. Cultural exchanges are embedded in these language partnerships. Students who are not studying a language, or whose native language is not taught in the Modern Languages and Cultures Department, gain cross-cultural experience through regular whole-group CLE meetings, social events, and field trips. 

International students– and speakers of languages other than English– find a place where their culture and language are valued. Domestic students find a place in their own backyard to extend their language learning and cultural horizons. Clé is French for “key”. The CLE is the key to building community at SMC.

Your support of the CLE will help to secure the longevity of this program at SMC. Thus far, it has been operated by adjunct faculty in the ESL department, who volunteer their time to coordinate the program, which is not sustainable for this vital and unique program. The CLE sets SMC apart from other community colleges across the country, and it needs support to provide the following:

Social Activities for Students 

• Orientations 
• Parties and social events
• Cultural events
• Field trips
• Coordinated gatherings with the International Education Center 

Stipends for Instructors to: 

• Coordinate orientations and events
• Maintain the Canvas shell and respond to student queries
• Facilitate partnerships 
• Connect CLE members to cultural offerings in the greater L.A. area
• Survey students regularly
• Stay up-to-date with best practices for language acquisition, global citizenship, and cross cultural interaction

Marketing/Advertising

• Videos of events
• Banners advertising the CLE
• Color flyers to distribute across campus and at SMC events

For donations by check, please make your check payable to:

The Santa Monica College Foundation
1900 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405

On the memo line, please write: SMC CLE