The English conversation and culture club (ECCC)

What is ECCC?

ECCC aims to improve your conversational (informal) English at the same time as helping you to learn about British culture. Your British facilitator will lead group discussions and fun activities and will be open to your suggestions about any specific topics that you want to talk about.

Examples of topics that might be covered include:

• British humour
• slang
• places to visit in the local area
• pub culture
• popular British TV/radio/music
• food
• the Royal Family
• news/current affairs.

The ECCC sessions are not intended to be English language classes. You will not be taught grammar. You can access formal English Language Support through the Language Centre in the Library.

Who can attend ECCC?

Any BU student whose first language is not English and who wants to improve their spoken English and learn about British culture can attend.

When are the meetings?

The groups meet once a week for one hour. There are different meeting days for each group, so hopefully you will find a suitable group for you. The meetings start at the beginning of November and continue every week during term-time until the end of May. You can join at any time of the year.

Tuesdays, 6.00pm - 7.00pm, with Danielle and Kumar in P403*

Wednesdays, 6.00pm - 7.00pm, with Rebecca in P403*

*Sometimes the group may arrange to meet in another location (for example, a café). Your facilitator will always email you in advance to tell you where to meet.

Before your first meeting, please email Caroline Howlett to register for ECCC and check the meeting place.

How many students will be in my group?

There are normally between 5 and 10 students in each group. This hopefully means that you will be able to have interesting discussions and each member of the group will have time to contribute and practise their speaking skills.

But I'm nervous about speaking in front of other people...

ECCC is designed to help to develop your confidence and it’s a small, friendly atmosphere. The British students that lead the groups have been carefully selected and trained and will lead the discussions, taking into consideration the level of English of the different members of the group. They will try to ensure that every member of the group has the opportunity to speak, but they will not force you to talk until you are ready to.

Does it cost anything?

No, ECCC is completely free of charge.