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Language Conversation Practice Meetings

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

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

Come have lunch and practice your Czech speaking skills with native speakers of Czech. Snacks provided! All levels of Czech are welcome! For upcoming dates, see the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies Events page.

Time: Wednesdays, alternating between 2:00-3:00pm and 11:00am-12:00pm
Location: BUR 560

Dutch Conversation Group - Taalcafé

All levels welcome!

Time: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: Littlefield Café Patio

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

French Conversation Group - French Language Board Game Club (Le Club de jeux de société)

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

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

German Conversation Group - Stammtisch

Meet new people and practice your German with other learners. Just look for the German flags!

Time: Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: Outside of the Littlefield Cafe

Faculty Contact: Ellen Jones
Contact Email: ejones7463@utexas.edu

Italian Conversation Group - Tavola Italiana

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

Time: February 8 and 22, March 8 and 29, 6:00-7:00pm
Location: WCP (the tables outside on the side facing Gregory Gym, off Speedway)
In case of inclement weather, we will meet in the Lounge of HRH (Rainey Hall)

Japanese Conversation Group - Japanese/English Exchange Conversation Table

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!

Zoom (Meeting ID: 883 3249 7491; passcode: kaiwa)
UT Austin English Conversation Table 7:30-8:10 p.m.
UT Austin Japanese Conversation Table 8:10-8:50 p.m.

​​​​​​In-person
WEL 4.204 and WEL 4.260 from 7:30-8:50 p.m.

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

Faculty Contact: Junko Hatanaka
Contact Email: jhatanaka@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

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, 7:00-8:00pm
Location: RLP 0.102

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

Portuguese Conversation Group - Bate Papo 

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: Mondays 9:30-10:30am, and Wednesdays 4:30-5:00pm
Location: BEN 4.122

Contact: Denise Braz
Contact Email: denisebraz@utexas.edu

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

Russian Bar - CREEES

Join Dr. Evgenia Wilkins for a casual meetup every other Friday at Tweedy's Bar (formerly Spider House) from 4 pm - 5 pm. It's a fun way to practice your Russian speaking and listening skills in a relaxed environment! Open to all.

Time: Alternating Fridays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: Tweedy's Bar

Faculty Contact: Dr. Evgenia Wilkins
Contact Email: evimikha@utexas.edu

Russian Conversation Hour - Texas Russian Speaking Club 

Our weekly conversation hours are a great way to lose your new-language shyness! Practice your speaking and listening skills with others who are on a language-learning journey. Conversation hours are casual and fun, often with special topics to enhance your cultural awareness. All levels are welcome!

Time: Mondays, 4:00-5:00pm
Location: BUR 454

Faculty Contact: Dr. Marina Alexandrova
Contact Email: therussianhour@gmail.com

Turkish Conversation Hour - Çay Saati: Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour 

The UT Turkish Tea and Conversation Hour (Çay Saati) is an informal gathering open to all intermediate, advanced, and native/heritage speakers of Turkish on the UT Campus.  It fosters intercultural friendships and Turkish language practice.

Time: Select Monday and Wednesday afternoons (see schedule below and MES Events page)
Location: Outside in the courtyard between Calhoun (CAL) and Parlin (PAR). In case of inclement weather, the group will meet in CAL 515.

Spring 2023 Schedule
Wednesday, January 25, 3-4pm
Monday, January 30, 1-2pm
Wednesday, February 8, 3-4pm
Monday, February 13, 1-2pm
Monday, February 20, 1-2pm
Wednesday, March 1, 3-4pm
Wednesday, March 8, 3-4pm
Monday, March 20, 1-2pm
Wednesday, April 5, 3-4pm
Monday, April 10, 1-2pm

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