Help our students with conversational English

A University initiative to help students improve their spoken English is going international – and you can help make it a success by joining the conversation.

The English Conversation Café began in January 2024 at the Global Study Lounge, in Edith Morley on our Whiteknights campus, giving students the chance to meet informally with staff and student volunteers and build their confidence in conversational English.

The success of the programme means that it is expanding, with an online option aimed at students at UoR Malaysia and NUIST China, as well as Pre-Sessional English students who learn with us remotely.

Organisers now need volunteers who can spare a little time to talk to our students. Whether you can come along for one session or can spare the time to be a regular volunteer, it’s a great way to get to know some of our students in an informal setting.

Corinne Brookes, International Student Experience Manager and Conversation Café organiser, said: “Students taking part really value the chance to practice their English language skills, and it’s wonderful to see them grow in confidence in such a short space of time.

“Taking the Café online is the natural next step for us, building connections with our international campuses and remote students. We couldn’t do this without our staff volunteers, so any time you can spare would be a huge help to us, and our students”

Agnieszka Usarz, Pre-sessional EAP Teacher, has helped out at the English Conversation Café since March.

She said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my engagement with the English Conversation Café! It is well managed and as a volunteer I feel supported, with organisers providing ideas for different conversation themes and follow up questions.

“As far as the students are concerned, chatting with them is rewarding because, apart from being friendly and fun, it is their decision to be there hence their motivation is high. It is great to see them improve both their linguistic and people skills. These bi-weekly sessions became the cherry on top of my teaching schedule.”

How to volunteer

Online

For the rest of the academic year, sessions take place at 13:00 – 14:00 on the following Wednesdays: 17 July; 7 August; 14 August; 21 August.

Sessions will then resume in October.

Please fill in the online form to express your interest.

In person

For the rest of the academic year, in person sessions year, sessions take place at 13:00 – 14:00 on the following Wednesdays: 17 July; 7 August; 14 August; 21 August.

To join, come along to the Global Study Lounge (Room 230, Edith Morley). If you’re not sure where to go, take a look at the UoR_Student video guide. Feel free to bring your lunch or a coffee!

They will return every other Wednesday throughout the year, starting from 2 October.

Find out more

If you would like more information on the English Conversation Cafés, please get in touch with Corinne Brookes or Daniel Devane.