Our conversation classes

Each week I volunteer to teach English conversation to people whose first language isn’t English. We have great fun and I’m sure we improve people’s language abilities and help them understand something about our culture as well as English. I have written an introductory guide-book for new volunteers, and this is the first part of it:

History and background

English conversation classes have been running at St Paul’s Church under the auspices of the Lighthouse charity for five years. They are open to all students and teachers alike, whatever their faith, their background, their nationality, age or ability, all are welcome to the classes.

There is no set course which is followed; although there are regular students there are many others who just drop in, and are always welcomed. The focus is on conversation, whether it is at a beginner level, or more advanced, there will be an opportunity to learn and practice, converse and make friends.

In the five years that the classes have been running, there have been over a hundred students from more than eighteen different countries.

The teachers

Although some teachers have a professional background, most are volunteers interested in meeting others, helping others, and working to enable non-native speakers to use and practice English.Apart from speaking English fluently and clearly, the only criteria for a volunteer is to have patience, flexibility, a sense of humour, friendliness, sensitivity, and a willingness to join in.

Classes

The classes run from 9:45-11:00 each Tuesday in school term time, with a week’s half term break. The pattern for each lesson has evolved over the years, changing and responding to the different students, and to the particular skills and interests of the teachers.

The composition of classes changes from week to week; there is a core of students who attend regularly but each Tuesday new students might arrive. Students may come from any country and language back ground, with no English or degree level English, or any level of English in between. This makes planning challenging, so spontaneity, an ability to react to a new situation with humour, patience and fortitude is vital. Students may be of any age from 16 upwards with a variety of educational experiences in their home country.