More speaking. More interaction. More you.
For the 24/25 academic year, our free English speaking clubs hosted by a British native speaker introduced a new approach designed to give learners more opportunities to speak directly with one another.
Our traditional format worked well: the host asked a question, invited someone to answer, followed up and then moved to another learner. We wanted to build on that format by creating more speaking time, not more waiting time.
The aim is simple: more speaking time and less waiting time.
How the new format works
- Join the room and receive a welcome from the native-speaking host.
- Introduce yourself briefly, including your name and where you are from.
- Explore the topic and two to four starter questions.
- Move into a breakout room with one partner for around seven minutes.
- Return to the main room to share answers and respond to follow-up questions.
- Discuss a new group question with everyone.
- Meet a different partner for another short breakout-room conversation.
Why we made the change
This structure gives learners more one-to-one speaking time, lets them interact with different people and creates more natural English conversations. The host still guides the topic, listens to the group and brings everyone back together for useful follow-up discussion.
Small groups may still use the original hosted format when that gives everyone the best balance of speaking time and support.