Conversation Circles started up again last week! Sessions were held at the Grayslake, Lakeshore, and Southlake campuses on Monday and Tuesday, and were well attended by CLC’s ALE, ELI, and ESL students.

Conversation Circles are a weekly event sponsored by the CLC Writing Center, the ELI, and the ESL Departments. The goal is to provide a space where English language learners (from all backgrounds and proficiencies) can practice their English speaking and listening skills in a low-stakes environment. These sessions are hosted by writing center staff at all three CLC locations.

Students from China, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Columbia, Guatemala, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey attended a Conversation Circle event at the Grayslake, Lakeshore, and Southlake campuses between 09/09 and 09/10. Grayslake hosted 6 students, Lakeshore hosted 4 students, and Southlake hosted 23 students during the first week of Conversation Circles!

At the Lakeshore Conversation Circle (09/09) and Grayslake Conversation Circle (09/10), students went around and answered various questions about growing up. At the Southlake Conversation Circle (09/10), played “Would You Rather. . .?” in small groups. They took turns rolling a die, and if they rolled an even number, they drew a question that asked them to choose between two pleasant options. If they rolled an odd number, they drew a question that made them choose the “lesser of two evils.” 

Conversation Circles will run through Week 15 of the semester. The days, times, and locations are found below:

  • Lakeshore Campus: Every Monday from 12:15 PM – 1 PM in 34-205 (Lakeshore Tutoring Center)
  • Southlake Campus: Every Tuesday from 12:15 PM – 1 PM in R022
  • Grayslake Campus: Every Tuesday from 1 PM – 2 PM in L113

The Writing Center is glad to provide a space for CLC’s multilingual students to practice speaking and listening in English outside of the classroom. We look forward to seeing our ALE, ELI, and ESL students there!

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