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Speaking Group welcomes American and international participants from the UNC campus and the local community. The group meets weekly when classes are in session to discuss topics of culture, university life, or language learning strategies and resources. Our goal is to create a comfortable space to converse in English, to share cultural perspectives, and to build global relationships in our local community. Speaking Group will resume August 23.

Chapel Hill Community: Sign Up for the Speaking Group Email

We welcome members of the University and surrounding community. List members receive weekly suggested topics.

Fall Schedule & Locations

All speaking groups meet Fridays, 3-4 p.m. at the FedEx Global Education Center unless otherwise noted.

Date Location
Aug 23 FedEx Global Education Center Topic: Settling in at UNC
Aug 30 FedEx Global Education Center Topic: Labor
Sept 6 FedEx Global Education Center Topic: Where to Go, What to Do!
Sept 13 FedEx Global Education Center Topic: Cultural Observations and Adjustments
Sept 20 FedEx Global Education Center Topic: Fall Activities
Sept 27 FedEx Global Education Center Topic: Weather/Hurricanes
Oct 4 FedEx Global Education Center Field Trip! Meet at FedEx Building and then we’ll walk to 140 W. Franklin
Oct 11 FedEx Global Education Center
Oct 18 Fall Break-No Meeting
Oct 25 FedEx Global Education Center
Nov 1 FedEx Global Education Center
Nov 8 FedEx Global Education Center
Nov 15 FedEx Global Education Center
Nov 22 FedEx Global Education Center
Nov 29 Thanksgiving Break-No Meeting

What happens in Speaking Group?

An English Language Specialist from the Writing Center attends each meeting to welcome participants and to facilitate the group meeting.

  • The facilitator introduces the suggested topic then moves participants to small breakout rooms (3-5 participants) for 25 minutes
  • Group members discuss the topic, ask questions, and suggest strategies or resources
  • Participants return to the main room then join new breakout rooms with different partners for the next 25 minutes
  • Everyone rejoins the main room to share anything interesting from their group conversation and to say goodbye

Please note: The facilitator will request PIDs from UNC students and scholars, but community members don’t need to worry about this. Community members can join without a PID.

Who can join Speaking Group?

  • UNC students, including undergraduate, graduate, and exchange students
  • Postdoctoral scholars, visiting scholars, research collaborators, and faculty
  • Spouses and community members
  • Native/fluent English speaking volunteers, we welcome your participation. Please see our volunteer guide

How do I join Speaking Group?

Other oral communication support