Letâs Speak English (LSE) is a semester-based program offered by ANU Library Academic Skills where international and English as a Second Language (ESL) students can practice English conversation. These sessions are facilitated by casual student employees â Conversation Group Leaders â and supported by ANU+ volunteers.
LSE provides a crucial outlet for ESL students to engage in non-academic English language practice through discussions, games and friendly interaction, providing social, personal and academic benefits to participants. LSE consequently serves the imperatives and values of the ANU by 2025 Strategic Plan, notably âDelivering a student experience equal to the worldâs bestâ through contributing to an âoutstanding campus lifeâ and an âinclusive, nurturing, and supportiveâ campus environment, and serves the values of âRespectful Collegialityâ and âInclusion, Equity, and Diversityâ.
Communicative language teaching
Although an extra-curricular, non-teaching initiative, LSE is underpinned by TESOL theory, specifically Communicative Language Teaching. English fluency is developed through conversations involving communicative functions, e.g. information-sharing, exchanging opinions, expressing likes and dislikes, introducing oneself, and providing explanations (Richards, 2006; Richards & Rodgers, 2001). LSE participants engage in these communicative functions, with sessions prioritising experience over accuracy, e.g. errors in pronunciation are not directly corrected, but Leaders model pronunciation in their responses.
A history of LSE
LSE was established by Dr Vivien Silvey in 2016 and is a SSAF-funded (Student Services and Amenities Fee) initiative. Sessions were delivered solely in-person from 2016â2019, pivoting online in 2020 due to COVID-19. Since 2021, delivery has been multi-modal, with both in-person and online sessions each week. This pivot online and subsequent multi-modal delivery have been instrumental in reaching students during lockdown, sustaining the program, and engaging with students interstate and offshore.
Conversation Group Leaders
Without the excellent Conversation Group Leaders, there is no Letâs Speak English. Recruited from the ANU student population, these exceptional Leaders develop âmenusâ for each session â with themes, questions, conversation prompts, activities and gamesâthen facilitate delivery, encouraging conversation and interaction among attendees. They are supported by volunteers recruited through ANU+, who contribute to discussion and stimulate participation in group exercises. Sample menus can be viewed on the Academic Skills Appointments Wattle site. As noted, these are not âteachingâ sessions but sessions which engage communicative functions, whether exchanging opinions on Disney and Marvel, expressing food likes and dislikes, or information-sharing about topical concerns.
Studentsâ perceptions of the program
LSE participants were surveyed in late 2021 to gauge motivation for attendance. Both social and educational incentives featured prominently: 26% of respondents attended to meet new people, 26% to improve English for general purposes, 22% for stress relief and recreation, and 17.5% to spend time with friends. Regarding the programâs impact on their English language development, increased confidence and better speaking skills were highlighted, e.g. âMore confidence to talkâ, âIt improved my speaking and boosted confidenceâ, and âI can speak more fluentlyâ. Regarding LSEâs impact on their social relationships, friendship and connection were recurring themes, e.g. âI made many good friends from this activityâ and âI made a few new friends, it is one of the best social groups in ANUâ. Leaders also highlighted the social benefits of LSE during the COVID lockdown in 2021. One Leader noted, âA lot of them [attendees] are overseas, and maybe they have conversations in tutorials but they find it quite stressful or very brief, so LSE is their social interactionâ. Another observed, âThere are a lot of barriers to meeting domestic students ⌠really this is their only casual space to make friendsâ.
Leadersâ and volunteersâ perceptions of the program
LSE benefits not only attendees, but the volunteers and Leaders supporting the program. Surveyed volunteers cited meeting new people, stress relief and professional development as reasons for volunteering. Regarding LSEâs impact on their university experience, meeting new people and connectedness to community featured prominently. Respondents commented that LSE âmade me feel more engaged with the ANU and other studentsâ, âhelped me to meet new peopleâ, and provided opportunity for âtaking a short study break ⌠for mental health!â Facilitating LSE sessions also enhanced the Leadersâ university experience, with one noting, âitâs been great because my Masters involves a lot of one-to-one, so itâs nice to have this social interactionâ.
Key findings and future
The student-led LSE program has provided Communicative Language Teaching-informed opportunities for English language development and social activity for ANU ESL students. Attendees, leaders and volunteers alike highlight confidence, community, social connection, and increased English fluency as benefits of attendance. These carry further deducible benefits for studentsâ academic performance â such as enhanced English expression and greater confidence to interact in tutorials â and wider University experience, illustrating LSEâs contribution to the Universityâs strategic vision.
Letâs Speak English runs weekdays 1-2pm during semester. Please promote the program to ESL students in your programs and Colleges. For further information, visit www.anu.edu.au/letsspeakenglish or contact academicskills@anu.edu.au.
May 2023
Dr Benjamin Kooyman, Learning Adviser, ANU Library Academic Skills.
References
Richards, J. C. (2006). Communicative language teaching today. Cambridge University Press.Â
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Approaches and methods in language teaching (2nd ed). Cambridge University Press.
