Speaking Buddies

We initiated this project in 2011-12 with the aim to engage local volunteers to become speaking buddies for ESOL learners. 

Adults who attend mainstream ESOL programmes often find it very difficult to get enough speaking practice to develop confidence and fluency.

We wanted to provide each student with a 1:1 opportunity to practise English in a friendly relaxed way; to offer support with everyday transactions and to build bridges by introducing learners to local amenities which they were not aware of, or did not use.

Read this article we published in Natecla News:

Macdonald, S. & Rendell, J. (2011) Building confidence and making friends: how Speaking Buddies support ESOL learners’ integration into a local community. Natecla News