Conversation and Subject Cafés
The Conversation and Subject Cafés help to create a global network of 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-based and 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-linked students who meet to help each other with their language and subject learning, confidence, intercultural understanding, and global engagement. The Cafés also offer students the opportunity to meet people and make friends outside their usual social circles.
English Conversation Cafés
Would you like to:
- informally practise your spoken English in a relaxed, safe, and friendly setting?
- help other students practice and build confidence in their spoken English?
- meet other students?
- find out more about other cultures and perspectives?
- Use your participation in the cafés as evidence towards any of the RED Awards?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, then come and take part in the English Conversation Cafés! They are held in person on Wednesdays 13:00 – 14:00 UK time, approximately every 2 weeks in the Global Study Lounge during both semesters and summer vacation periods.
Here is the timetable for the English Conversation Cafés.
No matter what stage you’re at on your English-learning journey, or if you're a proficient speaker already, the English Conversation Cafés are free to attend and include refreshments and biscuits. At each café you will be given a set of questions on a specific topic to help break the ice and get the conversation flowing. Topics cover a variety of cultural and global issues. You’re welcome to stick to the questions provided or take the conversation in another direction!
How to take part in person?
There is no need to book, just turn up on the day! You do not need to stay for the whole time, you’re welcome to participate according to your schedule. However, if you wish to use your participation towards the RED Awards then you must attend for the full hour.
Online English Conversation Cafés
If you would like to speak to 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students based at our campuses abroad as well as students from 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-partnered institutions, or whether you’ve found it difficult to participate in the in-person English Conversation Cafés, then why not participate in our Online English Conversation Cafés?
Online English Conversation Cafés exist to connect students between 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø campuses, specifically those in the UK with students at the 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Malaysia and students at the UoR-NUIST Academy in Nanjing, China. We also include students from 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-partnered institutions, such as the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP).
Participation in our online cafés is particularly helpful to students abroad learning English and for those wishing to transfer to 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø for part of their studies.
How to take part online?
Participants meet online on the same dates and times as our in-person cafés.
If you’d like to join the online cafés, you’re welcome to come to the Global Study Lounge with your device and headphones and join there via a MS Teams link that will be sent to you, or you’re welcome to join from a place of your choosing (home or other); whichever is most convenient for you! Your group and meeting link will be sent to you 1-2 days in advance by email.
or scan the QR code below:
NB: You do not have to sign up for every week. There is the option on the form to select the dates you’d like to join online. Only students based in the UK are currently eligible to use their online participation towards the RED Awards.
51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Language Exchange
Modern Foreign Language Conversation Cafés
Calling all 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø-based English, Spanish, French, Italian & Portuguese language speakers and learners!
English: Want to practice a (new) language? Join our FREE fun & friendly language exchange events, make new friends and practice your conversation skills.
Español: Quieres practicar un (nuevo) idioma? Ven y únete a nuestros eventos de intercambio de idiomas, divertidos y amigables. Haz nuevos amigos y practica tus habilidades de conversación.
Français: Voulez-vous pratiquer une (nouvelle) langue? Rejoignez nos événements d'échange linguistiques amusants et conviviaux, faites-vous de nouveaux amis et mettez en pratique vos compétences en conversation.
Italiano: Vuoi praticare una (nuova) lingua? Partecipa ai nostri eventi di scambio linguistico divertenti e amichevoli, fai nuove amicizie e metti in pratica le tue capacità di conversazione.
Português: Quer praticar um (novo) idioma? Participe de nossos eventos divertidos e amigáveis de intercâmbio de idiomas, faça novos amigos e pratique suas habilidades de conversação.
The Language Exchange events are hosted by '' and are a great way to meet other linguists within the local 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø community, as well as your fellow students! Go along individually or with some friends for an opportunity to meet people outside of your social circle on your way to becoming a polyglot!
Dates: Tuesdays approx. every 2 weeks - see below for exact dates.
February: 11th, 25th
March: 11th, 25th
April: 22nd
May: 6th, 20th
June: 3rd, 17th
July: 1st, 15th, 29th
August: 12th, 26th
Time: 19:00 - 21:30
Location: The Signal Box, 18 Friar Street, 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, RG1 1DB
Cost: FREE - Just turn up and drop in!
For other modern foreign languages not listed above, contact the University's Buddy Up! group to find a language partner. Further information is on our 'language learning and resources' page.
Student-led British Sign Language (BSL) Club
If you are learning BSL with Languages for All (Institution-Wide Language Programme [IWLP]) then the BSL Student-Led Club provides a space for you to practise signing outside of class and build your confidence and understanding of the language.
The club meets on a monthly basis in the Global Study Lounge, and is also a space to discuss Deaf awareness, cultural barriers, supporting our inclusive values as a University.
The club is currently open to Stage 1, Stage 2 and 3 students, who are learning BSL with the Languages for All, the Institution-Wide Language Programme. If you are a Stage 1 student you’ll need to know the basics of BSL grammar and vocabulary, so you can get the most out of these meetings.
If you are interested in coming along to future sessions, or have any questions, please contact Ugo Marsili. For more information about the club, see the Essentials page.
Business Conversation Cafés in the Henley Business School (HBS)
The Global Study Lounge also offers in person Business Conversation Cafés that take place on a fortnightly basis during semester one on Tuesdays or Fridays from 13.00 - 14.00 in the Henley Business School.
Check out the semester one schedule for exact dates and times.
The Cafés are run by friendly ISLI-academics and are a great opportunity for HBS-students to develop conversation skills and catch up on the current topics in the world of business.
Contact Dr Anna Ziomek for further information.
Foundation Maths Cafés
If you're a foundation student taking the IF0SDS/J, IF0CMA/J , or IF0QM/J modules, or your modules include some maths and you're finding any mathematical topic difficult during the transition to foundation university study, then these cafés are a welcoming, relaxed space for you to seek out support amongst your peers and tutors.
Led by our friendly and supportive foundation maths, statistics, and data science lecturers, you can drop-in to the cafés to discuss any aspect of Maths you'd like assistance with. The cafés are informal, so you do not need to stay for the whole time and can attend when it suits your schedule. Details of when the cafés are running are below:
Dates: 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19 (December 2024) & 23, 24, 31 (January 2025)
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 / 11:00 - 13:00 / 12:00 - 15:00 / 15:00 - 17:00 depending on date
Venue: Global Study Lounge, Room 230 Edith Morley Building.
Contact Dr James Appleby or Dr Rehana Bari for further information.