English Conversation Hour
English Conversation Hour is a weekly guided session to help non-native English speakers practice semi-formal English in a casual, relaxed setting with peers and ISS staff trained in English language instruction.
Students will join small group discussions covering real-world scenarios, complete with the "do’s and don’ts" of communication. Topics change weekly, and students are welcome to suggest topics of interest.
English Conversation Hour meets in the Thursdays from 6:00 - 7:00 PM in the International Student Center. Light snacks are provided!
Fall 2026 Schedule
| Date | Theme | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 3 | Self Introductions | Introduce yourself naturally AND continue the conversation. We will have conversation cards to help! |
| Sept. 10 | Beyond Just Hobbies | Beyond simply saying "My hobby is __", practice discussing why you like the hobby, what other hobbies you could try, and making plans to do the hobbies together. |
| Sept. 24 | Slang/Idioms in the Classroom | Ever been told to "Hang in there" or "Break a leg"? American idioms can feel confusing especially in a classroom setting. Learn about some common phrases and practice asking their meanings. |
| Oct. 1 | Festivals and Holidays | American media often portrays one way to celebrate a holiday. However, as you get to know more Americans, you quickly learn each family has their own traditions. Let's practice asking others about their traditions and sharing ours! |
| Oct. 8 | Review Game Week! | Let's review what we learned in a friendly game setting. |
| Oct. 15 | Casual Conversation Practice | Semi-formal language is important, but so is feeling confident in your casual abilities! Let's practice chatting with classmates and professors. |
| Oct. 22 | Off Campus Conversations | Practice asking for help in grocery stores, talking to government officials at the DMV, and talking about mechanical issues. |
| Oct. 29 | Health Care and Insurance Talk | Feel overwhelmed by some of the American Healthcare terms and unsure about how to ask questions of your insurance? Practice with us here! |
| Nov. 5 | Making Phone Calls and More! | Phone calls can feel overwhelming for anyone. Practice making phone calls to different important services in your life. |
| Nov. 12 | Student Suggestion Week | Topic to be decided by student suggestions! |
| Dec. 3 | Holiday Speaking Games | Review what we have learned so far, but in a holiday way! As you prepare to celebrate major holidays in America, learn common games and topics you might encounter at the parties! |