Ever changed your life by picking up a flyer? David Tanguay has. Since seeing a poster advertising the need for English teachers at Lafayette Library in November of last year, Tanguay has taught the Level 7 English class at Intercambio de Comunidades.

Intercambio de Comunidades is a neighborhood organization whose mission is to build respectful communities and increase opportunities for immigrants through language education, cultural exchange and friendship. It offers everything from language classes to cooking lessons, and has sparked many intercultural relationships along the way.

This is not Tanguay's first time teaching English. When living in Italy, he found that the best way to learn Italian was to teach English. While he taught himself to speak Italian through textbooks, he practiced his newfound language with an Italian organization called "Interscambio." The word means "mutual exchange," which is precisely what the strikingly similarly named "Intercambio" delivers.

Tanguay's teaching experience has come in handy with his current volunteer position, though he says he caters to his students needs, asking them about the language they use in their daily lives. "I teach them what they can handle, and what will help them out," he explained.

Through all of Tanguay's fulfilling experiences, he speaks most highly of his students. "If they're motivated, they can take [the lessons] so far," he said. "A lot farther than you'd think." Most of all, Tanguay expresses his amazement at his students' ability to amplify the information with which he provides them. "It's very enriching for me to help foreigners with the language I know so well, and to be able to do it so easily. Three hours of my time a week can help them immeasurably."

For information about volunteering with Intercambio de Comunidades or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.