What are English At Large Conversation Groups?
Our conversation groups are groups of 8-12 learners who meet weekly to practice their English speaking skills. Our groups provide an opportunity for learners to improve their speaking confidence and meet other adults who are learning English.
- All groups are free! There is no cost to attend our conversation groups.
- All adults who want to practice their English speaking skills are welcome at our groups.
- We recommend that you have an at least an intermediate English speaking level. If you can speak on the telephone without too much difficulty, your English speaking ability is likely at an intermediate level.
- Conversation groups are not English classes. Our trained volunteers focus mainly on listening and speaking, and less on reading and writing.
Topics usually covered in conversation groups include American culture and holidays, idioms, casual spoken English, and daily life situations (the bank, the post office, speaking with neighbors, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
English At Large Conversation Groups are open to all adults who want to practice their English speaking skills.
What level of English do I need to attend?
To participate fully in a group, we recommend that you have an at least an intermediate English speaking level. If you can speak on the telephone without too much difficulty, your English speaking ability is likely at an intermediate level.
Each Conversation Group facilitator determines which learners can join their group and may determine that some learner’s English speaking ability is too low to join their conversation group.
How much do these groups cost?
All of our programs are free.
Can I attend more than one Conversation Group at the same time?
You can only register for one group at the start of the semester. When registration closes, you can sign up for the waitlist of a second group. If there is space in that group, you will be able to attend a second group.
I’ve participated in a Conversation Group in the past. Do I need to register again?
Yes. All learners who would like to take part in our current session of conversation groups must fill out the registration form.
What happens after I register?
English At Large and your group facilitator will call or email you before the group begins. Please confirm that you are in a group before attending. Please note that our conversation groups are very popular and that you might be placed on a waiting list.
Registration for our Conversation Groups
is Now Open
Spring Conversation Groups begin in January 2020. Learners can register for a group in any community. In order to ensure that we can place all learners, we ask that you only register for one group.
Register for a Conversation Group
Registrations are currently being accepted for the following Conversation Groups:
Acton
Fridays, 12:00 – 1:30 pm at Acton Memorial Library. January 31 – May 8, 2020
Arlington
Tuesdays, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at Robbins Library, January 28 – May 5, 2020
Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Robbins Library, January 29 – May 6, 2020
Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, January 30 – May 7, 2020
Belmont
Tuesdays, 12:30 – 2:00 pm at Beech Street Community Center, January 28 – May 5, 2020
Billerica
Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Billerica Public Library, January 29 – May 6, 2020
Boxborough
Mondays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at Sargent Memorial Library, January 27 – May 4, 2020
Burlington
Wednesdays, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm at Burlington Public Library, January 29 – May 6, 2020
Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Burlington Public Library, February 4 – April 21, 2020
Concord
Fridays, 10:00 -11:30 am at Concord Free Public Library, January 31 – May 8, 2020
Lexington
Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Lexington United Methodist Church, January 29 – May 6, 2020
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at Lexington United Methodist Church, January 29 – May 6, 2020
Medford
Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at West Medford Community Center, January 15 – April 22, 2020
Reading
Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Reading Public Library, January 7 – May 5, 2020
Waltham
Saturdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Waltham Public Library, February 1 – May 2, 2020
Mondays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Waltham Public Library, January 27 – May 4, 2020
Mondays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Waltham Public Library, January 27 – May 4, 2020
Winchester
Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at Winchester Public Library, January 29 – May 6, 2020
Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Winchester Public Library, January 31 – May 8, 2020
Saturdays, 10:00 – 11:30 am at Winchester Public Library, February 15 – May 9, 2020
Woburn
Thursdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at English at Large Office, January 30 – May 7, 2020
Questions? Please call our office at 781-395-2374
English At Large
800 West Cummings Park, Suite 5550
Woburn, MA 01801
tel : 781.395.2374
email : info@englishatlarge.org
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Great meeting this morning to kick off our Strategic Planning Process. Excited to be working with @PearAssociates #strategy #nonprofit #learningbuildscommunity
Donate Now to Support Life-Changing Services in Your Community! https://t.co/gE4gRxzPrC
Thinking of new office space in 2020? Consider Cummings Properties for location and value, and to support local nonprofits!
English At Large Offices will be Closed Monday, December 23, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020. We will reopen Thursday, January 2nd. Happy Holidays!
Registration is ongoing for our Spring Conversation Groups! This program is for intermediate learners who want to practice speaking and listening. https://t.co/wrEEZPJSeA
Conversation Starters: News You Need to Hear from English At Large! https://t.co/4pFIX0NdQY
Your donation keeps services available in local communities that do not have sufficient resources in place to support the needs of English language learners. Donate now to support local services! https://t.co/GmFsx9OdC2
Your donation to English At Large empowers local immigrants to achieve their goals. Our Career Access Lab builds skills and confidence to help learners secure employment and launch their professional careers in the U.S. https://t.co/Sd4bNuyrJX
Your donation to English At Large empowers hundreds of local volunteers to take action to make a difference in your community. Take action today to help build welcoming communities for all people! https://t.co/q0DI6zgW3q
On #GivingTuesday make your donation make a difference for local immigrants on their journey to a better life. Donate now to English At Large. https://t.co/BmLet39XTj
Holiday Shopping online this Cyber Monday? Did you know that when you shop at https://t.co/cL4oQqniNO, AmazonSmile donates to English at Large Inc.?
Shopping today? Did you know that when you shop Black Friday deals at https://t.co/lAfivYyILb, AmazonSmile donates to English at Large Inc.!
Our Conversation Groups help adult immigrants build their English speaking confidence. Interested learners should sign up now to receive notice when spring group registration opens in December! #ESOL #learningbuildscommunity https://t.co/dm8E237gzv
Woodward English Quiz 11
We can go _____ day.
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Conversation Starters: News You Need to Hear from English At Large! https://t.co/4sjVGahXxL
Our Annual Halloween Party is Sunday 10/27 from 1-4PM. Toe Jam Puppet Band will perform at 1:30, 2:15 & 3:00. We'll also have trick or treating & crafts - so much fun! This is a great opportunity to test out your costume before the big day, but no costume required to participate!
Conversation Starters: News You Need to Hear from English At Large! https://t.co/SLXreY25S8
Robin Burrage's Cabaret Show to benefit English At Large is coming up fast! Get your tickets today! https://t.co/llaxUkK0L0
September is Natl Library Card Month! What betta way to celebrate than w/ our fave dinosaurs? https://t.co/aS8JegWbBi @bcattv @FWymanTech @BurlMASchools @PineGlenLC @BPSMemorialLC @BurlLibFriends @DTCnow @burlingtonpd @BurlingtonUnion @BurlingtonPatch
A reminder that our offices will be closed Monday, September 2 for the Labor Day holiday. We will reopen Tuesday, September 3 at 9 am. Enjoy the holiday weekend!
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The first cohort of our 2020 CAL Career Groups kicked off yesterday with 15 participants, all ready to advance their career in the United States. Led by our New American Integration Program AmeriCorps member, this 15-week program runs at the Burlington Public Library. Learners and volunteers interested in learning more about the Career Access Lab (CAL) can call Joe at 781-395-2374 or email americorps@englishatlarge.org
Congratulations to EAL tutoring learner alumnus Behrouz on achieving his goal of U.S. Citizenship. His volunteer tutor Melissa continued to work with him after leaving the program, and tells us
"I started with Behrouz as a tutor in July 2016. His goals that we worked toward with his English abilities were to get a full-time job, buy a house, and become a US citizen. He has achieved all three of his goals and has come a long way with his skills and confidence."
"I am so proud of him and so privileged to be part of his journey and the mission of English at Large. To see someone work so hard and achieve something that means so much to him is priceless."
Thank you Melissa for your volunteer service, and for sharing this inspiring story!
We held a great meeting this morning to kick off our Strategic Planning Process. We are excited to have the guidance of Pear Associates as we work together to set a path for the future!Held a strategic planning kickoff meeting with English At Large. Excited to be working with this amazing organization that is helping adults to acquire English language skills while building community.
Do you like to meet new people and learn about different cultures? Volunteers are needed to co-facilitate Conversation Groups in Boxborough, Massachusetts and Waltham, Massachusetts! Interested? Call us at 781-395-2374 or email info@englishatlarge.org
There is still time to register for a spring Conversation Group with English at Large! We are still accepting registrations for conversation groups beginning in January and meeting in:
Acton
Arlington
Belmont
Billerica
Boxborough
Burlington
Concord
Lexington
Medford
Reading
Waltham
Winchester
Woburn
Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfNPu8y8SYHSgzrsgzjrQpOugZ79ap0UdK2Nrn8ZDX32D05vQ/viewform
Spring 2020 Conversation Group Registration Request
docs.google.com
For more information about our groups, please visit our website: www.englishatlarge.org/conversation-groups/ You will receive an email confirmation from English At Large within 7 days confirming your registration. You can only register for one group. Registration is accepted on a first-come,....Do you have this program in Florida?
Thinking of new office space in 2020? Consider Cummings Properties for location and value, and to support local nonprofits!
English At Large Offices will be Closed Monday, December 23, 2019 through Wednesday, January 1, 2020. We will reopen Thursday, January 2nd. Happy Holidays!
Registration is ongoing for our Spring Conversation Groups! This program is for intermediate learners who want to practice speaking and listening. ow.ly/gH2Z50xFbsa
Many of our public libraries may close today due to the storm. Please call ahead. Our offices will be open and Registration for our spring Conversation Groups continues on our website www.englishatlarge.org. #besafe
www.englishatlarge.org
English at Large is a nonprofit that provides individual and small-group instruction through a volunteer network to adult immigrants and other newcomers who want to acquire English language skills as they adapt to life in the United States.Congratulations to the winners of our Volunteer Appreciation Raffle! Monica Chamberlain, Gabriela Clough, Peter Gimber, Ellenjane Scheiner, Marilyn Pennachio and Lorraine Krugman. We are grateful to you, and all our volunteers, for your wonderful service this year. Special thanks to our generous board members who donated to support the raffle. Happy Holidays!
Our Beginner English class, taught by Brandeis University Waltham Group volunteers recently enjoyed a festive holiday party with games to help them improve their English!
Does your employer have a matching gift program? Check with your HR Department. You could double the impact of your gift to English At Large!
Your donation keeps services available in local communities that do not have sufficient resources in place to support the needs of English language learners. Donate now to support local services! ow.ly/OcGL50xl6rs
Your donation to English At Large empowers local immigrants to achieve their goals. Our Career Access Lab builds skills and confidence to help learners secure employment and launch their professional careers in the U.S. ow.ly/VgUV50xl5SF
Your donation to English At Large empowers hundreds of local volunteers to take action to make a difference in your community. Take action today to help build welcoming communities for all people! ow.ly/8FXl50xl53T
Dear Volunteers, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this evening’s Holiday Appreciation Event. Be safe and stay warm and know that we appreciate everything you do! We will announce a new date for this celebration soon!
Another snowy day! A reminder that when Public Schools are closed, most public libraries close as well, cancelling EAL programs.
On #GivingTuesday make your donation make a difference for local immigrants on their journey to a better life. Donate now to English At Large. secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/iKqG6zIn8AkXyeNM-zsTbg
Holiday Shopping online this Cyber Monday? Did you know that when you shop at ow.ly/Uhv550xl4oX, AmazonSmile donates to English at Large Inc.?
Dear EAL Volunteers and Learners: Many of our partner libraries may be closed or have a delayed opening. Please check before heading out for program. Be safe and enjoy this first snow of the season!
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