Everyday English
Practice your English conversation skills with native English speakers and GW students! Each week, Everyday English offers a virtual space for international students to practice their English skills in an informal setting. We discuss U.S. culture, food, holidays, professional and non-academic English and more. Students are encouraged to share about their native culture as well. All English levels are welcome.
The Language Center, in conjunction with the Snyder Fund and the GW International Services Office, developed the Everyday English Program to help GW international students improve their conversational English skills. Sessions are offered one day a week during the fall and spring semesters.
Questions about Everyday English, or interested in volunteering? Contact us at [email protected].
How to Sign Up
Please click on Locations from the schedule to sign up for an appointment. All levels of English are welcome.
Please feel free to bring your lunch! For some special in-person events, we may provide snacks, but for regular sessions, you should come prepared with your own lunch.
Spring 2023 Schedule
Everyday English will be holding spring oriented hangouts around DC. Please see flyer for more details.
Large-group conversation practice meetings are 1.5 hour sessions held every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, click on the date to open the link.
| 1/27 | Surviving Winter in DC | District House Room B206 |
| 2/03 | American Social Customs | Student Center Room 405 |
| 2/10 | Job/Internship Searching | Student Center Room 405 |
| 2/17 | US Holidays/Valentine's Day | Student Center Room 310 |
| 2/24 | Hometowns | District House Room B206 |
| 3/03 | Superstitions | District House Room B206 |
| 3/10 | Health and Wellbeing | Student Center Room 405 |
| 3/24 | English Games/Sports | Student Center Room 405 |
| 3/31 | No Session | N/A |
| 4/07 | Exploring DC in the Spring | Student Center Room 405 |
| 4/14 | Getting Through Finals | Student Center Room 405 |
| 4/21 | No Session | N/A |
| 4/28 | Wrap-Up Party | Student Center Room 405 |
Conversation Topics
This Month's Recommended Topics
- 10 countries to visit at least once in a lifetime
- Your favorite book
- Your last dream
- Your worst job experience
- How to prepare your favorite meal
- What kind of music do you like?
- Most interesting/strangest/weirdest travel story!
- Do you believe in ghosts? Superstition? Myths?
We also recommend browsing the Voice of America website for news stories, videos explaining grammar and other helpful information.
Topics for Small-Group Sessions
Each of these topics links to a brief video explaining the content you can expect from that discussion.
- Introductions & Small Talk
- Language for professionals
- Health & Wellbeing
- Dining in D.C.
- Travel Tips
- Pop culture
- Studying for Finals
- Humor, Idioms, & Slang
- U.S. Holidays
- Networking & Interviewing
Send Feedback on the Everyday English Program
If you have any questions that were left unanswered at the end of a session or have any suggestions on how we can make improvements, please fill out our online comment box.
If you are interested in receiving emails from the Everyday English Program, please join our email list!
"Programs like Everyday English are instrumental to the success of students during their studies at GW. In addition to this, the Language Center oversees both the diagnostic language exam for the Elliott School and the placement language exam for students trying to understand which language course to enroll in. These tools are critical needs for the university, at both the undergraduate and graduate level."
Patrick Murphy
Program Associate, International Education & Student Services
Elliott School of International Affairs