Conversation and Subject Cafés
The Conversation and Subject Cafés help to create a global network of Reading-based and Reading-linked students who meet to help each other with their language and subject learning, confidence, intercultural understanding, and global engagement. The Cafés also offer students the opportunity to meet people and make friends outside their usual social circles.
English Conversation Cafés
Would you like to:
- informally practise your spoken English in a relaxed, safe, and friendly setting?
- help other students practice and build confidence in their spoken English?
- meet other students?
- find out more about other cultures and perspectives?
- Use your participation in the cafés as evidence towards any of the RED Awards?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, then come and take part in the English Conversation Cafés! They are held in person on Wednesdays 13:00 – 14:00 UK time, approximately every 2 weeks in the Global Study Lounge during both semesters and summer vacation periods.
Here is the timetable for the English Conversation Cafés.
No matter what stage you’re at on your English-learning journey, or if you're a proficient speaker already, the English Conversation Cafés are free to attend and include refreshments and biscuits. At each café you will be given a set of questions on a specific topic to help break the ice and get the conversation flowing. Topics cover a variety of cultural and global issues. You’re welcome to stick to the questions provided or take the conversation in another direction!
How to take part in person?
There is no need to book, just turn up on the day! You do not need to stay for the whole time, you’re welcome to participate according to your schedule. However, if you wish to use your participation towards the RED Awards then you must attend for the full hour.
Online English Conversation Cafés
If you would like to speak to Reading students based at our campuses abroad as well as students from Reading-partnered institutions, or whether you’ve found it difficult to participate in the in-person English Conversation Cafés, then why not participate in our Online English Conversation Cafés?
Online English Conversation Cafés exist to connect students between Reading campuses, specifically those in the UK with students at the University of Reading Malaysia and students at the UoR-NUIST Academy in Nanjing, China. We also include students from Reading-partnered institutions, such as the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NUBiP).
Participation in our online cafés is particularly helpful to students abroad learning English and for those wishing to transfer to Reading for part of their studies.
How to take part online?
Participants meet online on the same dates and times as our in-person cafés.
If you’d like to join the online cafés, you’re welcome to come to the Global Study Lounge with your device and headphones and join there via a MS Teams link that will be sent to you, or you’re welcome to join from a place of your choosing (home or other); whichever is most convenient for you! Your group and meeting link will be sent to you 1-2 days in advance by email.
Sign up here to join the Online English Conversation Cafés or scan the QR code below:
NB: You do not have to sign up for every week. There is the option on the form to select the dates you’d like to join online. Only students based in the UK are currently eligible to use their online participation towards the RED Awards.
Reading Language Exchange - Modern Foreign Language Conversation Cafés
Calling all Reading-based English, Spanish, French, Italian & Portuguese language speakers and learners!
English: Want to practice a (new) language? Join our FREE fun & friendly language exchange events, make new friends and practice your conversation skills.
Español: Quieres practicar un (nuevo) idioma? Ven y únete a nuestros eventos de intercambio de idiomas, divertidos y amigables. Haz nuevos amigos y practica tus habilidades de conversación.
Français: Voulez-vous pratiquer une (nouvelle) langue? Rejoignez nos événements d'échange linguistiques amusants et conviviaux, faites-vous de nouveaux amis et mettez en pratique vos compétences en conversation.
Italiano: Vuoi praticare una (nuova) lingua? Partecipa ai nostri eventi di scambio linguistico divertenti e amichevoli, fai nuove amicizie e metti in pratica le tue capacità di conversazione.
Português: Quer praticar um (novo) idioma? Participe de nossos eventos divertidos e amigáveis de intercâmbio de idiomas, faça novos amigos e pratique suas habilidades de conversação.
The Language Exchange events are hosted by 'Reading International Friends' and are a great way to meet other linguists within the local Reading community, as well as your fellow students! Go along individually or with some friends for an opportunity to meet people outside of your social circle on your way to becoming a polyglot!
Dates: Tuesday 11th & 25th February 2025; Tuesday 11th & 25th March 2025
Time: 19:00 - 21:30
Location: The Signal Box, 18 Friar Street, Reading, RG1 1DB
Cost: FREE - Just turn up and drop in!
For other modern foreign languages not listed above, contact the University's Buddy Up! group to find a language partner. Further information is on our 'language learning and resources' page.
Business Conversation Cafés in the Henley Business School (HBS)
The Global Study Lounge also offers in person Business Conversation Cafés that take place on a fortnightly basis during semester one on Tuesdays or Fridays from 13.00 - 14.00 in the Henley Business School.
Check out the semester one schedule for exact dates and times.
The Cafés are run by friendly ISLI-academics and are a great opportunity for HBS-students to develop conversation skills and catch up on the current topics in the world of business.
Contact Dr Anna Ziomek for further information.
Foundation Maths Cafés
If you're a foundation student taking the IF0SDS/J, IF0CMA/J , or IF0QM/J modules, or your modules include some maths and you're finding any mathematical topic difficult during the transition to foundation university study, then these cafés are a welcoming, relaxed space for you to seek out support amongst your peers and tutors.
Led by our friendly and supportive foundation maths, statistics, and data science lecturers, you can drop-in to the cafés to discuss any aspect of Maths you'd like assistance with. The cafés are informal, so you do not need to stay for the whole time and can attend when it suits your schedule. Details of when the cafés are running are below:
Dates: 9, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19 (December 2024) & 23, 24, 31 (January 2025)
Time: 10:00 - 12:00 / 11:00 - 13:00 / 12:00 - 15:00 / 15:00 - 17:00 depending on date
Venue: Global Study Lounge, Room 230 Edith Morley Building.
Contact Dr James Appleby or Dr Rehana Bari for further information.