English Conversation Circles

The English Conversation Circles (ECC) provides a friendly, informal space for undergraduate and graduate English Language Learners (ELL) to practice conversational English, make friends, and discuss intercultural topics. Our facilitators encourage open discussions about Canada and the international community through unique scenario-based activities. We meet twice per week over a 6-week period, and our sessions are led by WCC staff and volunteers.

You can register for our Wednesday or our Thursday sessions – or even both! Registration is open to all University of Waterloo students.

If you have any questions about ECC, please feel free to email Amanda Fogaça at amanda.fogaca@uwaterloo.ca.

Register now for one of our Winter 2024 sessions, starting January 24th and ending March 7th.

When: Wednesdays or Thursdays from 3-4:30 pm

Where: South Campus Hall 228F

Each week, you’ll learn about a new topic and have conversations with other graduate and undergraduate students.

This winter, these are our topics:

Week

Dates

Topic

Week 1

January 24 and 25

Introductions

Week 2

January 31 and Feb 1

Canadiana

Week 3

February 7 and 8

Small talk

Week 4

February 14 and 15

Job interviews

Reading Week

February 21 and 22

No ECC this week

Week 5

February 28 and 29

 Seasons

Week 6

March 6 and 7

 Potluck

Group of people at the ECC scavenger hunt

Outcomes

English Language Learners who participate in the ECC program will 

  • Improve competency in understanding and speaking conversational English 
  • Develop confidence in being able to use English in their everyday lives 
  • Increase awareness of slang, idioms and commonly used expressions 
  • Feel more comfortable communicating to speakers of English in a variety of social settings 
  • Meet new people and expand their network at Waterloo  
  • Feel more comfortable navigating a new culture and environment 
  • Feel supported in their transition to Waterloo 

Goals

The English Conversation Circles mission is to provide a quality program for English Language Learners to support their spoken English needs and goals through weekly conversation practice. 

Winter 2024 English Conversation Circles

When 

Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Where 

SCH 228F

Start and end dates

Wednesday sessions: January 24 - March 6*

Thursday sessions: January 25 - March 7*

*no ECC during Reading Week