First, there are three club formats
You have been looking for somewhere to practise your English speaking skills online. You have found us, seen all the different club names and thought: What happens in each one?
The easiest way to understand the choice is to separate the format from the topic. The format tells you where the club takes place, who guides it and how many people can join. The topic tells you what you will talk about.
Quick answer: choose a free hosted club for guided practice, a self-run club for an independent group conversation, or a premium club for the smallest hosted group.
1. Free clubs hosted by a British native speaker
These clubs usually take place on Zoom and have a maximum of 8 people. A British native speaker welcomes everyone, introduces the topic, asks questions and guides the flow of the conversation. The host also joins the discussion, but the priority is always to give you plenty of time to speak.
At times, a free hosted club may take place in OESC’s custom browser-based classroom instead of Zoom. The listing will make this clear before you join.
2. Self-run speaking clubs
Self-run clubs do not have a teacher or native-speaker host in the room. You and the other members are the hosts. One person takes the controller role and uses the on-screen controls to guide the pace of the session.
All of the conversation material appears on screen, so nobody needs to prepare a lesson or invent questions. These clubs take place in our browser-based classroom and are limited to 6 people.
3. Premium speaking clubs
Premium, or paid, speaking clubs take place on Zoom and are hosted by a native English speaker. With a maximum of just 4 people, they offer more speaking time and a more focused, intimate conversation.
Premium clubs are not divided into strict level groups, so a session may include B1, B2 and C1 speakers. That mix is part of the experience: you practise expressing yourself clearly with people who use English in different ways.
Topic types in hosted speaking clubs
Once you know the format, the next question is: What will we talk about? The following topic types are always hosted by a native English speaker. The host chooses them at random rather than following a fixed rotation.
General
General sessions are the most common type of premium speaking club. Each club follows an accessible theme such as film and TV, crime, fashion or travel—something you will almost certainly have experience of and opinions about.
Hot Debate
A Hot Debate is built around one lively question, such as Should schools have uniforms? or Should public transport be free? You will form an opinion, explain your reasons and listen to different points of view. By the end, you may have strengthened your original opinion—or completely changed it.
Situations
These clubs are built around hypothetical situations. You put yourself in somebody else’s shoes, decide what you would do and explain why. They are excellent practice for speculating, problem-solving and responding when there is no single correct answer.
World Days
World Days takes an interesting celebration, festival or special day from somewhere around the world and builds a conversation around it. One week you might explore La Tomatina; another might focus on Glastonbury Festival. Every question connects to the event, its traditions and the wider theme behind it.
Structured self-run courses
Our self-run courses follow a clear structure and progress from week to week. The classroom guides the group through the material, but the conversation belongs to you. These courses require an access code.
Controversial Conversations
Controversial Conversations is an 18+ course for speakers at B2 level or above. As the name suggests, it explores subjects you are unlikely to find in an everyday coursebook.
It is not designed for people who are easily offended or uncomfortable discussing adult and difficult issues. Topics may include sex, drugs, weapons and murder. You will need the required level and an access code to join.
ChatterBox
ChatterBox is a general English conversation course for speakers at B1 level or above. It is packed with interesting questions and creates a relaxed space for a natural group conversation.
Every week brings a different topic, so you can keep returning without worrying about the material repeating. You will need an access code to join.
Back 2 Business
Back 2 Business is for more serious students who want to use and develop their business English speaking skills. It is open to people aged 21 or over with a minimum level of B2.
To join, you must meet both the age and language requirements and have an access code.
One small twist: sometimes the native-speaker host may choose a unit from one of these courses and run it as a hosted club.
Self-run drop-in clubs
These two self-run options do not require advance registration or an access code. When a session is running, simply use the Join now button on the website.
IELTS Speaking
IELTS Speaking is for anyone preparing for the IELTS exam. The club connects you with another learner so you can role-play the speaking test together and practise giving fuller, more confident answers.
There is a different topic each week, so you can keep coming back and building your confidence until test day.
Random Chat
Random Chat is the most relaxed club of the bunch. Random questions, situations and statistics appear on screen to get the conversation moving. Use them when they help—or take the conversation in your own direction.
The minimum level is B1. There is no advance registration: when Random Chat is running, click Join now on the site.
Which club should I choose?
- Choose a free hosted club if you want a native speaker to guide the conversation and help keep it moving.
- Choose a self-run club if you enjoy independent practice and are happy to share responsibility with the group.
- Choose a premium club if you want a native-speaker host and the most speaking time in a group of no more than four.
- Choose IELTS Speaking if you have an exam coming up and want realistic paired practice.
- Choose Random Chat if you want something informal, flexible and unpredictable.
That is all of them. Speaking clubs run seven days a week, so you can get as much English speaking practice as you can handle.
Cheers,
OnlineEnglishSpeakingClub.com