Language Conversation Practice Meetings

Know of a UT language conversation group that we’re missing? Contact us at tlc@austin.utexas.edu!

NOTE: Some of this information is from 2022-2023. Updated meeting information is noted. We will be updating the rest of the listings as soon as departments give us the new schedules.

Arabic Conversation Group - Arabic Debate Club [updated for 2023-2024]

In these sessions, you will learn about the basics of Arabic debate, how debate is structured, and key terminology in debating. We will also delve into motion analysis and how to build your argument. Participants must be at least in their second year of Arabic.

Time: September 13, October 11, November 15; 1:00-2:00pm
Location: CAL 515

Arabic Reading Group - Arabic Reading Club [updated for 2023-2024]

2nd year Arabic students are invited to the Arabic Reading Club to read and discuss Arabic short stories.

Time: September 18, October 23, November 13; 1:00-2:00pm
Location: CAL 422

BCMS Conversation Hour - CREEES

Practice your Bosnian/Croatian/Montenegrin/Serbian listening and speaking skills with Frane Karabatic, via Zoom. All levels of language learners are welcome! Please note, the room will be closed after 15 minutes if no student shows up.

Time: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: Zoom (Join here: https://utexas.zoom.us/j/98604612963.)

Faculty Contact: Frane Karabatic
Contact Email: frane.karabatic@austin.utexas.edu 

Czech Conversation Group - Czechs Mix [updated for 2023-2024]

Practice speaking and listening in Czech in a casual conversation hour! For upcoming dates, see the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies Events page.

Time: Alternating Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30pm
Location: BUR 560.

Dutch Conversation Group - Nederlands Taalcafé [updated for 2023-2024]

All levels welcome!

Time: Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00pm
Location: Outside of Longhorn Coffee in front of WCP

Contact: Nafal Ossandon Hostens
Contact email: nohstns@utexas.edu

French Conversation Group - French Language Board Game Club (Le Club de jeux de société) [updated for 2023-2024]

Come to practice French conversational skills and play games with new friends! 

Time: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: HRH lounge (HRH 2.118)

German Conversation Group - Stammtisch [updated for 2023-2024]

Meet new people and practice your German with other learners.

Time: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm
Location: Outside of the Littlefield Cafe (Inside in case of rain)

Italian Conversation Group - Tavola Italiana [updated for 2023-2024]

Come and practice Italian in an informal setting! Open to all.

Time: Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00pm
Location: HRH lounge 2.118

Japanese Conversation Group - Japanese/English Exchange Conversation Table [updated for 2023-2024]

Want to improve your Japanese speaking skills with native speakers? Join us Friday evenings, either online or in-person, at Kaiwa Tables, where Japanese speakers and other Japanese learners come together and help each other practice our respective languages. All levels are welcome!

Gather (Link to join: https://app.gather.town/app/kmqU4Iu6fbmyK0DJ/kaiwa_tables)
UT Austin English Conversation Table 7:30-8:10pm
UT Austin Japanese Conversation Table 8:10-8:50pm

​​​​​​Plans for regular, in-person practice sessions are also still being finalized.

See the UT Japanese Association website (https://www.texasja.org/) for more information.

Faculty Contact: Junko Hatanaka
Contact Email: jhatanaka@austin.utexas.edu

Japanese Study Group - JLPT Prep Club [updated for 2023-2024]

This is a weekly self-study group. By studying together with fellow students, stay motivated and get ready for the test. Bring your own study material or use ours. We have various textbooks for all the levels, N5 to N1. Not taking JLPT this year? No problem. Everyone in UT Austin Japanese language program is invited.

Time: Tuesdays (9/5/23-11/14/23), 12:45-1:45pm
Location: WCH 4.104

Faculty Contact: Midori Tanaka
Contact Email: midori@austin.utexas.edu

Persian Conversation Group - Persian Table

Run by upper-division Persian students, Persian Table is a monthly get-together for UT Austin students studying the Persian language. The goal of our organization is to inspire students of all proficiency levels to get together and form a community of Persian speakers committed to sharing and improving their language skills. For upcoming dates, see the Middle Eastern Studies Events page.

Faculty Contact: Babak Tabarraee
Contact Email: babak.tabarraee@austin.utexas.edu

Polish Conversation Group - Polish Language Circle [updated for 2023-2024]

Join the Polish Conversation Hour to practice your speaking and listening skills, learn more about culture and grammar, and meet fellow students of Polish.

Time: Every other Wednesday, beginning August 30, 2023, 7:00-8:00pm
Location: RLP 0.102

Contact: Bernadeta Kaminska
Contact Email: bernadetakaminska@austin.utexas.edu

Portuguese Conversation Group - Bate Papo [updated for 2023-2024]

Join Bate-Papo to practice your speaking and listening skills, learn more about culture and grammar, and meet fellow students of Portuguese. Students of all levels are welcome!

Time: Wednesdays 4:30pm and Thursdays 9:30am
Location: BEN 4.122

Contact: Leo Stoffels
Contact Email: leostoffels@utexas.edu

Keep up-to-date with other Portuguese activities with Bate-Papo's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/portugueseatut/

Russian Conversation Hour - Russian Club [updated for 2023-2024]

Come practice your Russian language skills in a casual conversation hour every Monday! All levels of Russian are welcome!

Time: Mondays, 5:00-6:00pm
Location: BUR 454 (CREEES Lounge)

Turkish Conversation Hour - Çay Saati: Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour  [updated for 2023-2024] 

The Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour is an informal gathering for intermediate, advanced and native/heritage speakers of Turkish on the UT-Austin campus. The Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour aims to facilitate Turkish language practice and foster intercultural friendships.

Time: Fridays, 2:00-3:00pm
Location: CAL 516 (Middle Eastern Studies Reading Room)

Faculty Contact: Jeannette Okur
Contact Email: jeannette.okur@austin.utexas.edu

Ukrainian Conversation Hour - Ukrainian Club [updated for 2023-2024]

Come practice your Ukrainian skills in a casual conversation hour where we practice speaking and listening. All levels of Ukrainian welcome!

Time: Mondays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: BUR 480