WebJunction

Conversation Clubs/Talk Time: Beyond the ESL Class!

Originally presented November 2006, by Jackie Alectoridis and Carolina Fernandez-McManus.

Whether it's called Conversation Club, Talk Time, Bilingual Cafe, or something else, these exciting groups are taking place in libraries and moving beyond the ESL class. The presenters share the why's and how's of running a successful program as well as the benefits and rewards.

Archive viewing options:

• Archived Webinar (.wmv)(archive)

Learn more on this topic:

• Explore other WebJunction resources on this topic:

ESL Conversation Club Tips (.doc)

• Other helpful websites:

Dave's ESL Café - www.eslcafe.com
Dubbed the "internet's meeting place for ESL & EFL teachers and students from around the world."

Internet TESL Journal - http://iteslj.org     
A "monthly web journal for teachers of English as a foreign language."

ESL Monkeys - www.eslmonkeys.com
"English as a second language online resources."
A commercial site that has some good lesson plans and activities. 

About.English as 2nd Language - http://esl.about.com/od/englishlessonplans
"Conversation plans for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of English learning."

Lexington Public Library www.lexpublib.org

Annotated Bibliography of Resources from the King County (WA) Library System
http://www.kcls.org/lit/Annotated%20bibliography7-04%20_3_.pdf
Their page http://www.kcls.org/lit/esl.cfm also has many links and resources.

Seattle Public Library (WA) Talk Time http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=audience_esl_features_detail&cid=1081795731828

Austin Public Library (TX) Talk Time http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/i_talktime.htm

King County (WA) Library System Talk Time http://www.kcls.org/lit/esl.cfm

Talk Time Handbook: Conversation Sessions for Volunteer Facilitators and Limited English Speaking Participants

Danbury, CT Public Library http://www.danburylibrary.org/esl/index.htm

Ascension Parish Library, Gonzales, LA   http://www.myapl.org/apl/adultservices.htm#ElClub
Presented a program at PLA in 2004
http://www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaevents/nationalconf/program/thursdayprograms/clubsetup.doc

Additional Resources
Ideas and Tips for Successful Conversations Clubs from New York SLO Trainer, Jean Kaleda.