It's not speed dating, but it sort of feels like it. Participants in Bloomington librarian Nazma Ali's conversation group aren’t looking for love; they’re there to practice speaking English.
Ali organizes monthly English language conversation groups as a joint effort between Star Literacy and Bloomington Public Library. In May, a group got together at Star Literacy in Bloomington [while Bloomington Public Library was under construction] to talk about music—in English.
Ali borrowed the idea from a similar group she attended at a library in Pennsylvania.
“When I moved here, there was nothing like it,” she said. “It worked out perfectly, because I also enjoy this kind of stuff.”
Ali additionally leads Bloomington Public Library’s cookbook club.
“We’re having conversations,” she said. “It’s not structured at all. This is very informal.”
Attendees come from all different backgrounds and speak a variety of languages. Ali, whose native language is Swahili, said most participants are Spanish, Portuguese or Hindi speakers. She sees new faces every month, though many participants keep coming once they start attending.
“It’s a good surprise,” Ali said. “You get to meet people from all walks of life.”
Native English speakers are welcome and encouraged to attend to facilitate conversation at each of the tables.
“I always have guided questions,” Ali said. “If you are stuck, I encourage you to read those questions out loud, which they do. They know how to speak the language, even if it’s not fluently.”
Organic conversations promote fluency, which experts say is not possible with self-guided learning. Platforms such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone help with listening and reading comprehension, but programs such as Ali’s are simple and highly effective ways to build conversation skills.
“In the beginning, there are specific people who are super reserved and shy—which is understandable,” Ali said. “I was like that too. But once you get to meet people, you change.”
English Language Conversation, presented by Star Literacy and Bloomington Public Library, takes place at 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St.; registration is encouraged by not required. bloomingtonlibrary.org.
