Natural language improvement

You've probably heard that it is better to study any foreign language where there are native speakers. In this way, you not only accumulate verbal baggage, but also learn to manage it in everyday situations, communicating with people for whom a language foreign to you is native. But what to do if it is not possible to go to England or America to study English? Then you should not only attend language courses, but also attend language clubs. And you will learn about several interesting options below.

Commercial and free English speaking clubs in Moscow

What is a conversation club? This is a place where people gather for live communication in a foreign language. In this case, there is usually one or more presenters, ideally native speakers, who conduct a dialogue with other visitors. The formats of such meetings can be different, for example:

• debate;
• conferences;
• word games or quests;
• watching films together, reading books, as well as their subsequent discussion, etc.

Within the framework of one meeting, classes can be conducted in one or several formats, and in addition to this, regular conversations “about everything in the world” are also possible between the participants themselves or participants and native speakers, if there are enough of them. At the same time, in Moscow there are both commercial speaking clubs and free meetings for everyone with a sufficient level of training. They can also be independently operating organizations or created at existing language schools. Let's look further at a few specific options.

Discussion club in the library building named after. A. P. Chekhova

Address: Strastnoy Boulevard, 8

Meeting format: thematic presentation by American and English journalists, public figures and writers, followed by discussion by all participants.

This discussion English language club in Moscow opened in 2001. Visiting is free with a paid library subscription. The topics are varied - from literature and international law to religion and technology. Club days are Saturday and Sunday.

Moscow English Conversation Club

Address: Bolshaya Dmitrovka, 8/1

Website: www.englclub.ru

Meeting format: group discussions of topics of interest.

English speaking club with native speakers, created in 2000 and is currently one of the oldest organizations of this type. Geographically located in the building of the Russian State Library of Arts. Meetings take place every Thursday from 18:30 to 21:30, the number of participants ranges from 100 to 150 people. Participants break into groups and discuss topics of interest, while visitors are free to move between groups as they wish. Among the participants are native speakers, as well as visitors fluent in English - both Russian-speaking and foreigners. The cost of visiting is 200 rubles, there is a free buffet.

Address: Milyutinsky lane, 6

Meeting format: casual communication in an English pub setting.

Meetings are held at the Wooden Door anti-cafe every Sunday from 18:00. The cost of visiting is 2 rubles per minute for the first hour, then 1 ruble/minute. All guests are provided with free tea and coffee, the topic of each meeting is determined by a vote of those present.

English Club at Windsor Language School

Website: www.windsor.ru/general_english/club/

Meeting format: discussions on given topics between a native speaker and the participants present, as well as watching a film or TV series and its subsequent discussion.

The club's classes are demo lessons of the main courses, and anyone can attend them to communicate with native-speaking teachers from England, America, and Australia. Depending on the course being demonstrated, the topic, location and format of the event differ. Club meetings are held every Friday, and the location and topic can be viewed on the website using the link above.

Club "Aloha"

Website: aloha-club.ru

Format of meetings: depends on the leader - from discussions to word games and quests.

The Aloha Club itself is a resource that allows everyone to organize thematic meetings, and English conversation evenings are held in this way quite often. The venue and format depend on the organizer, as does the cost of visiting (usually free, but sometimes a symbolic contribution or collection of voluntary donations is possible). A schedule of scheduled meetings can be seen on the website.

ESPlaneta

Address: Stremyanny Lane, 38/3

Website: esplaneta.com

Meeting format: discussion of topics of interest in an informal setting, verbal and logic games in English.

Initially, the ESPlaneta conversation club was created for those who want to communicate in Spanish and fans of Spanish culture. Over time, it turned into a multilingual club, also known to everyone who is looking for inexpensive English courses in Moscow. Club meetings are held in the Starbucks coffee shop, every Sunday from 18:00 to 21:00, the cost of participation is 200 rubles for 3 hours. But there is also the possibility of free attendance if you have useful skills, knowledge or financial resources - for example, you know a foreign language perfectly (not only English), you can provide premises for meetings or classes, you have skills useful for the club, and so on. The website describes in detail the conditions for free access to club events.

Conversation club of the language school What's Up

Address: st. Tverskaya, 16, b3, BC "Tverskoy", floor 6, office. No. 9

Website: whatsupschool.ru/programs/club

Meeting format: watching American and British films and discussing them with a native speaker in a small group.

Meetings are held at the language school on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, while on odd days the difficulty of the classes is designed for beginners, and on even days - for visitors who already know English. The duration of the meeting is 2 hours, the cost is free for school students and from 590 rubles for 1 lesson when purchasing a subscription. The maximum number of people present at the meeting is 6 people, so attendance is only possible by appointment.

As you can see, you can find many English speaking clubs in Moscow, and we have not listed all that exist and are currently available. So you have a convenient opportunity not only to improve your English, but also to communicate with interesting people on almost any topic, and also just have a good time. It’s up to you to decide whether to choose a free option with native speakers and enthusiasts or give preference to a paid lesson with professional teachers fluent in the language.

Groups of RIA Novosti sites >>

Today you can learn to write, read and easily understand the most common foreign language - English - in many ways, but any teacher will tell you that without communication practice there will be little sense in learning. Here, numerous English speaking clubs, of which more and more have been opening in the capital in recent years, will come to the aid of those who want to truly speak.

Clubs are different

There may be several reasons why you should come to one of the English speaking clubs: to get talking before traveling to an English-speaking country, to overcome embarrassment and uncertainty by communicating with native speakers, or simply to maintain your communication skills “at the level” or to meet interesting people who share your passion for language.

Today there are dozens of conversation clubs in Moscow, where people who like to chat in English gather. But in order not to get lost in the variety of chatterboxes, you need to know exactly how they differ.

First of all, English speaking clubs are divided into independent ones and those organized at English language schools. For example, there is such a club at the Windsor school or at the Bigwig school.

The styles of holding meetings also differ: in some clubs they talk about free topics, in others meetings are devoted to certain topics, for which materials with keywords are given, and regulars are even given homework. And in some clubs they even play “Mafia” and other popular games, and participants are required to communicate exclusively in English.

For example, you can visit one of the oldest English speaking clubs - Moscow English Conversation Club, they have been operating since 2000. Today, club meetings attract an average of 100-150 people. Here you can meet native speakers, as well as Europeans who speak English as a second language. Participants themselves divide themselves into interest groups and discuss topics of interest; during communication, they can move from one group to another. At the same time, the cost of visiting the club is almost symbolic by capital standards - 200 rubles, and guests are also offered a free buffet.

For those who want to socialize in a more intimate atmosphere, a smaller club is suitable, for example, Blab Club, where “no one has the slightest chance to sit silently on the sidelines.” The cost of participation in Blab Club events, however, is slightly higher than in many other clubs in the city - 1,200 rubles. Here you will also be offered fresh coffee, tea and something to eat.

Of course, most conversation clubs are aimed at people aged 20 to 35 who want to improve their knowledge for work or travel. But what, for example, should schoolchildren do if they don’t have enough practice in class? The Lingved club thought about this and created special groups for teenagers (13-16 years old). Young Muscovites here can also not only start talking, but also make friends from different countries.

It is also worth taking into account the requirements of each club for the level of English language proficiency. Some clubs advise attending classes if your level is not lower than Intermediate, and even offer free testing, while others invite everyone to meetings, if only to listen to spoken language.

Learn through play

If the format of learning English over a conversation and a cup of tea seems boring to you, you can try other methods offered by conversation clubs.

We are often asked: what do English Speaking Club meetings look like? We'll tell you:) We meet and speak English for 3 hours every day. We are fun, cozy and cultural - everything you need to practice English. Want to join? It's easy - we work every day, and the first meeting is free. Just sign up - through the schedule or the registration form below.

The most common question that potential guests ask us over the phone sounds something like this: “What is your English Conversation Club anyway?” Here, for example, is one of our meetings at Coffeshop Company. We sit, chat, drink coffee, discuss pressing problems in English. Like? Join our meetings!

Are you visiting us for the first time and don’t know how to find a table for the English Language Club in a cafe? It’s very simple: look for a table where they speak English! Here, for example, is one of our meetings at Coffeshop Company. We are always interesting, fun and we speak only English. Like? Come!!!

Do you think that starting to speak English is very scary? 90% of the guests of our English Speaking Club think so, but... 15 minutes after the start of the meeting, they forget about the language barrier forever!!! After all, we always have the friendliest atmosphere and the best moderators who will help and advise!!!

Friends, there is always a moderator and administrator at Club meetings. The moderator organizes the discussion, and the administrator registers guests, orders drinks and resolves all other technical issues. Everything so that you can talk for 3 hours without being distracted!

Each meeting of the English Speaking Club lasts 3 hours, and all this time we talk on a specific topic. Meeting topics are published in advance on the main page of the site so that you can prepare if you wish. For example, at this meeting the topic of Hypothetical Situations was discussed.

At each English Conversation Club meeting, we talk for 2 hours on a specific topic. Our questions are interesting, everyone has different opinions - it’s never boring!!!

Don't you know what the English Conversation Club is yet? We'll tell you:) At every Club meeting we communicate in English for 3 hours. Want to practice your English? Join us!

Those who are going to our English Language Club for the first time always ask who comes to us and whether it is easy to fit into our company. Friends, all our guests are not only smart and interesting, but also very friendly people!!! Look at the photo, you will understand everything yourself :)

Most of our guests come to the English Conversation Club to overcome the language barrier. And when it is overcome, they stay with us to practice English and... just communicate :)

Friends, at a meeting of the English Language Club, in addition to the host, there is always a person ready to take care of you, our administrator. The administrator meets you at the beginning of the meeting, registers guests, and resolves all issues. For example, Anastasia is the administrator of our meetings on Wednesdays.

If you think a cafe is too noisy for an English Conversation Club, don't worry. You'll always hear other participants, and a drink is already included in the price of admission - no need to worry about that.

Friends, have you never been to the English Speaking Club before? This is what it looks like: everyone sits, discusses questions on the topic, the presenter corrects the participants if necessary. We are always very fun, cozy and cultural - in general, the atmosphere that is needed to practice English!

At every meeting of the English Conversation Club there is always a moderator who involves everyone in the conversation, corrects minor mistakes and stops those who talk too much (it’s very easy to get carried away!). Want to practice your English? Join us!

Those who want to come to us for the first time often ask who comes to us. We answer: our guests are very different people in age, profession, etc. But they are all very positive personalities, because boring people don’t learn foreign languages!

Speaking English for 3 hours can be difficult, but it only seems so. Because at every meeting there is a topic for discussion and a moderator who not only helps and corrects, but also creates an atmosphere in which 3 hours fly by unnoticed!!!

You need to be clearly aware of the difference between an English language school and an English speaking club, such as English Fast and Furious. The school teaches English comprehensively, teaching grammar, phonetics, vocabulary and other components of the English language, depending on the characteristics of a particular school.

All learning practices are used: reading, listening, writing, speaking. The main emphasis is usually placed on grammar, because this is the basis without which a non-English speaking person cannot not only formulate his thoughts clearly and competently, but also fully understand what is being said to him or what he is reading in English.

On the other hand, when a student spends all day doing nothing but solving grammar exercises with standard cliché phrases, a feeling of dissatisfaction grows in him, not to mention the fact that it is simply boring. We learn a language in order to speak, write, understand foreigners, perceive foreign culture and not feel like strangers in places where we don’t want to feel like strangers. The student gets bored and loses understanding of why he is doing these exercises.

Many people give up learning a language without getting to the most interesting part – live communication. The English speaking club helps solve this problem. There is no study there as such; people come there to communicate in English with native speakers and their compatriots who speak English at the same level as them.

However, communication in itself does not exclude comments and corrections from the participant in the conversation leading the meeting. In our club, we allow such comments because without them, progress in speaking skills will not be as significant as it could be.

A typical language club is a small, cozy room - not some kind of lecture hall. A fairly informal atmosphere has been created there so that those who come feel as little constraint and embarrassment as possible - everything should help break down the language barrier. There are some posters on the walls with useful information about Great Britain or the English language. You are greeted by a friendly and sociable presenter - others simply cannot resist such a job.

Watch the video from the club meeting, and you will also find out what place it occupies in the set of English learning tools:

There are places where English language learners come specifically to get oral practice and overcome the language barrier. They are called speaking clubs (you can find: speaking clubs, conversation clubs, - ed.). But the entire beneficial effect in terms of learning new words and making the use of certain grammatical structures automatic can be negated by the haphazard approach of meeting organizers to some aspects of their preparation. This also applies to the choice of topic for discussion. We will talk about how to choose a topic for the next conversation club meeting and how this affects the effectiveness of communication from the point of view of learning English. Selecting a Discussion Topic – What to Consider? First of all, in a good club they will warn you about what will need to be discussed before the meeting: they will send you the topic by e-mail or post information about it on the website. By the way, free conversation clubs are often guilty of the lack of this information: “people will still come along if...

The format of speaking clubs as a means of developing speaking skills is becoming popular among teachers in regular secondary schools. Educational standards regulate the relationship between the four aspects of language competence: writing, speaking, listening and reading in school teaching only in the most general terms. In many ways, the teacher makes decisions here based on his experience. There are many techniques that allow you to develop one of the listed skills. The conversation club is intended for conversation practice and the development of listening comprehension. What is this “conversation club”? Without going into details, we can say that this is an informal meeting of several people who want to speak English and overcome the language barrier. Most often, such meetings take place with the participation of a moderator - a native speaker or simply a participant who speaks good English, who does not allow the conversation to stall and helps the interlocutors if they have any difficulties due to their low level of English proficiency. There are professional conversation clubs that accept those who want to communicate in the language they are learning for a fee, but...

“The discussion club is simply one of the formats of the English speaking club. Discussion format. There is a pre-announced topic, there is a topic and there is a presenter,” Ekaterina Nikanorova, head of the English language communication club “Cherrypie Club,” answered a question about the difference between a discussion and a conversation club to an English Fast and Furious correspondent. “There are other types of speaking clubs: for example, a gaming club. People play and speak English. There is a cinema club. Let's say I host TED Talk Discussions (this is a useful website for English learners, TED.com - editor's note). We watch small video conferences in English and then discuss. This is also a conversation club, just a different format,” explains Ekaterina. “Who is the leader in the discussion club is at the discretion of the organizers. A native speaker can play this role. I also sometimes act as a presenter, although I am not a “teacher”, not a foreigner or a native speaker.” “Yes, we have a discussion club and...

For oral English practice. For fun. Many, for both. Understanding your own and other people's goals is very important, since it determines whether you get what you expect. Communication clubs in a foreign language have a dual nature: on the one hand, they have always been a place for new acquaintances in an informal setting, on the other hand, they are a way to consolidate theoretical knowledge in English grammar and other aspects of language learning in practice. If your goal is to consolidate the material you have covered or, perhaps, to maintain English at the achieved level, then you should choose a place where this side of the conversation club is more important than the entertainment component. Only you can determine what is right for you. Look at how the discussion moderator behaves, is he trying to teach something or is he just chatting with the guests? Is he finally a native speaker? Try to practice using new words and complex statements. The need to say a living phrase yourself using...

In small Russian cities there is usually nothing to choose from. There are only a few speaking clubs for major foreign languages. Moscow and St. Petersburg are another matter, hundreds of institutions with different characteristics: conversation clubs, discussion clubs; “movie clubs”, where films are discussed; book clubs with a focus on English. The problem of choice in all this diversity arises in full force. Everything gets even more confusing due to the fact that many clubs undergo a certain evolution during their history and their official name no longer tells a potential visitor much about what awaits him. What should you consider when choosing a conversation club in a big city? 1) What goals are you pursuing: what the chosen location and format should give you. 2) Cost of the lesson and impression of the first visit. 3) Behavior and professionalism of the presenter or teacher. 4) The format of the foreign language communication club, as formulated by the organizers. Your goals and cost of attendance Some people use clubs to have fun...

6+

The library of the ZIL cultural center hosts fascinating meetings of people learning English and wanting to practice live communication. Reading lovers gather here every week, because the conversation clubs here are not ordinary, but literary, dedicated to discussing this or that work. You can find out more about the work of the English Literature Club. Meetings are held on Wednesdays (start at 19:00), the duration of the lesson is 2 hours. Free admission.

 st. Vostochnaya, 4, bldg. 1

 st. B. Cherkizovskaya, 4/1

"Dial" on Kuznetsky Most 12+
Everything is free except minutes

A conversation club meets in the anti-cafe; classes are held every Saturday. Here you only need to pay for time (3 rubles per minute in the first and second hours, 2 rubles per minute in subsequent hours, after the 4th hour time becomes free), you can bring a snack with you. By the way, the course is taught by native speakers. Starts at 16:00. Afterwards you can stay and chat until the morning.

 st. Kuznetsky Most, 19, building 1

Anticafe Wooden Door

A unique anti-cafe with communication in foreign languages. Meetings of the English Speaking Club (“English Speaking Club”) are held regularly, but you can communicate in English at any time - all administrators speak the language at a high level, and one of them is a foreigner who does not understand a word of Russian. The classes are free, but you need to pay for the standard time spent in the anti-cafe (2 rubles per minute in the first hour, subsequent ones - 1 ruble per minute).

 Milyutinsky lane, 6 (entrance to the arch)

The AMC, which is essentially an American-style library, hosts conversation clubs on various topics. For example, you can talk to employees of the American Embassy in Moscow. Students with different levels of training can participate in conversation club meetings. Often native speakers are invited to such meetings, which makes learning even more interesting.

 Novinsky Blvd., 21

Members of the One Step Forward club regularly meet in different cafes, starting at 19:00. New faces are always welcome here; the required language level is at least Intermediate. There will be conversation practice, grammar (where would we be without it), as well as games, positive emotions and many new acquaintances. The meetings are free, but it is better to buy a cup of coffee at the coffee shop where the meeting is being held.

 st. Kozhevnicheskaya, 10, building 1