Speaking Group
Speaking Group welcomes American and international participants from the UNC campus and the local community. The group meets weekly 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.
Chapel Hill Community: Sign Up for the Speaking Group Email
We welcome members of the University and surrounding community. List members receive weekly topics and Zoom links in the remote weeks. Zoom links will be sent at 2:45 each Friday that we meet remotely.
Spring Schedule & Locations
All speaking groups meet Fridays, 3-4 p.m. NC time. (Unless otherwise noted.)
| Date | Location |
|---|---|
| Aug 25 | FedEx Global Education Center | Sept 1 | Field Trip! (5pm) Carolina Inn, Fridays on the Front Porch |
| Sept 8 | FedEx Global Education Center |
| Sept 15 | Zoom |
| Sept 22 | FedEx Global Education Center |
| Sept 29 | Field trip! We’ll meet at 3:00 at the FedEx Global Education Center and take a walk to the Old Well and Bynum Fountain. |
| Oct 6 | FedEx Global Education Center |
| Oct 13 | Zoom |
| Oct 20 | No meeting: Fall Break |
| Oct 27 | Zoom | Nov 3 | FedEx Global Education Center |
| Nov 10 | Zoom |
| Nov 17 | FedEx Global Education Center |
| Nov 24 | No meeting: Thanksgiving Break |
| Dec 1 | Zoom |
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?
- Sign up for the Speaking Group Email using this form. You will receive a message regarding each week’s meeting.
- Show up to a meeting!