ESL/ELL Library Conversation Classes

 

When people are learning a new language, speaking and listening skills are incredibly important. For example, speaking allows learners to receive feedback from their peers and teachers. That's why conversation classes/groups are a great way to get that feedback in a safe space with other learners. The conversation class at our library has adapted to online Zoom meetings, and many other libraries are now offering this type of online programming.

We would like to give a huge thank you to Vince who has been attending our weekly online conversation class, Let's Talk. Vince has compiled a list of many of the California libraries who are offering online conversation groups. Vince writes, "Do you think centralizing a list by dedicating a page on the website would be a good idea? It'd be like a calendar that shows these classes. Through this ESL Conversation Group portal, students like me or Olga who want more practice have options to join these other groups without having to sift through each individual library's calendar of events, programs, or classes." 

We think this is a great idea, and we are open to working with other libraries on this kind of project. Until we get that going, here are the links to each library's webpage for their ESL conversation groups (most programs require that you email them to receive Zoom links or further instructions):

·  Los Angeles Public Library (Wednesdays at 4pm) - https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/english-conversation-paul

·  San Francisco Public Library (Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:30pm) - https://sfpl.org/events/2020/08/06/learn-esl-conversation-group

·  Monrovia Public Library (Wednesdays from 6 - 7:30pm & Thursdays from 12 - 1:30pm) - https://www.cityofmonrovia.org/your-government/library/adult-literacy

·  Menlo Park Library (Wednesdays from 5 - 6pm) - https://www.menlopark.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=6535&month=8&year=2020&day=29&calType=0

·  Contra Costa County Library (Saturdays from 11am - 12pm) - https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/5f09f5f1d4dbcc39008e01b0

·  San Mateo County Library (Thursdays from 1:30 - 2:45pm) - https://smcl.bibliocommons.com/events/5f15d3aada1b731c0af3945d

·  Redwood City Public Library (Tuesdays from 6 - 7pm & Saturdays 11am - 12pm) - https://www.redwoodcity.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/47164/2638?backlist=%2fdepartments%2flibrary%2fevents

·  Camarena Memorial Public Library [Calexico] (Thursdays from 5 - 6pm) - https://calexicolibrary.org/node/2956

·  Monterey County Free Libraries - https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/library/learn-explore/literacy/become-a-learner

·  Alexandria Library in Virginia (Wednesdays from 10:30 - 11:30am & Wednesdays from 2 - 3pm)- https://www.alexlibraryva.org/events?t=ESL%252BClasses&r=nextmonth

·  Livermore Public Library - http://www.cityoflivermore.net/citygov/lib/events/services/literacy/engconvo.htm - 

·  Fresno County Public Library - http://www.fresnolibrary.org/literacy/index.html

·  Covina Public Library (Low & High Beginning: Tuesdays & Thurdays, 10:00 - 11:00 am) (Low & High Intermediate: Wednesdays & Fridays, 10:00 - 11:00 am) - https://covinaca.gov/library/page/english-second-language

·  Burlingame Public Library (Wednesdays from 7 - 8pm & Thursdays from 11am - 12pm) - https://www.burlingame.org/LIBRARY/upcoming_events/index.php

·  Palo Alto City Library (Wednesdays from 11am - 12pm) - https://paloalto.bibliocommons.com/events/search/fq=program:(59d6a9b75da7ff2e0097c1c8)

·  Oakland Public Library (Thursdays from 3 - 4pm) - https://oaklandlibrary.org/events/online-or-phone/club-de-conversacion-en-ingles-en-linea-online-english-conversation-club

· Sonoma County Library (Wednesdays 11am - 12:30pm) - https://events.sonomalibrary.org/event/4498292 - 

· Sunnyvale Public Library (Mondays from 3 - 4pm) - https://sunnyvale.ca.gov/community/library/cals.htm?ViewBy=7&CalDate=8/24/2020&EventDateID=93320

· Tulare County Library - https://www.tularecountylibrary.org/literacy-center