News And Events

News And Events

Volunteer Appreciation Week

The English-Speaking Union would also like to thank each and every one of you for the time and dedication you put into making English in Action such a meaningful program. The improvements that our students make in their English conversation skills shows just how effective you all are. 

This is a very encouraging thought. According to StreetWise Partners, "volunteering is down significantly," and has been decreasing nationally over the past 5 years. However, English in Action as a volunteer program has been lucky enough to see a growing interest in participation. 

Our volunteers build strong relationships with their students and grow together each week. I think this important fact draws volunteers to this program and keeps them coming back year after year. On average, English in Action clocks in 38,000 hours of conversation each year.

Tell us how you feel about English in Action. What does it mean to you?

Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!

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2024 ESU National Shakespeare Competition New York City Branch Finals

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MASQUERADE: the Lives of Noël Coward by Oliver Soden

MASQUERADE: the Lives of Noël Coward
by Oliver Soden

Evelyn Wrench Lecture

In Partnership with the Noël Coward Foundation

Date: March 26, 2024

VIP reception: 5:30PM

Event: 7:00PM - 8:00PM

Place: ESU National Headquarters, 144 East 39th Street

Member Ticket: $25

Non-member Ticket: $30

Register Here

Purchase book on Amazon

About the Book

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The 2024 ESU National Shakespeare Competition Starts Now!

News Photo

We are pleased to announce the kick-off of the ESU's 2024 National Shakespeare Competition! Schools in our region may enter now, giving students the opportunity to compete in the New York City Branch Competition.  The winner of the branch competition will move on to the national finals at Lincoln Center on April 15!

Wrench Lecture: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Exile - After the Abdication

Welcome Back to the Refreshed English Speaking Union of the United States National Headquarters in New York City

Hosted by the New York City Branch please join former ESU Exchange Scholar and National Wrench Speaker Andrew Lownie for an interesting talk on The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Exile - After the Abdication.

144 East 39 Street (bet Lexington and Park) 

Date: September 20, 2023 6 to 8

Reception at 6PM with brief presentation on highlights of ESU activities for 2023-2024 year followed by the lecture and Q&A at 7PM in Garden Lounge. 

Members $25 Non-members or Guest $30 (all proceeds from the event will go to support our Educational Programs in the New York Area.)

Register Here

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40th Anniversary ESU National Shakespeare Competition Winner

Congratulations to the New York City Branch's own Nicole Beverly Chien, who took third place at the 40th Anniversary ESU National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24, 2023. Nicole, a student of John Anderson at the Rudolph Steiner School, was one of forty-one semi-finalists who came from all over the country, along with parents, branch coordinators, teachers and supporters for this exciting weekend-long event.

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NYC Student named winner of the 39th English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition

12 finalists were brought together virtually for the 39th annual National Shakespeare Competition, making it the third-ever virtual competition in the program's history. People from across the country came together on Monday, April 25th on Zoom to watch as the 12 finalists performed for 5 judges. The virtual competition utilized various technologies across multiple platforms, including Zoom, Youtube, and text-to-vote, all of which enabled thousands of engagements, and hundreds of viewers from across the globe.

Watch the Competition Here


Sasha Fedderly of the ESU New York City Branch won 1st Place with her captivating and thoughtful renditions of Lady MacBeth from MacBeth and Sonnet 35. Sasha has won attendance at the BADA Midsummer Conservatory Program in Oxford, England this summer (Midsummer Conservatory Program – BADA).. Her teacher, Margaret George at Lycee Francais de New York High School will receive the $1000 Teacher Recognition Award.

Read more about the competition

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Join us at the 2022 Annual Conference in Charleston, South Carolina

The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to Charleston, South Carolina, for the 2022 ESU Annual Conference. The conference, under the theme of "Setting the Stage for Growth," will cover diverse and enriching approaches for organizational growth in the ESU's second century of programming. The conference program will include the ESU 2022 Annual General Meeting, social events, including receptions and meals, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and local tours. We invite you to partake in the camaraderie and help us to advance our programs that support teachers, students, and recent immigrants.

Read More and Register

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Gala 2022

Host a virtual Gala watch party with your local ESU Branch!

If you or your Branch would like to register for virtual access, we encourage you to do so. Branches that opt for virtual access can submit a greeting that will be played for all attendees during the gala.

Register Here

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Evelyn Wrench Speaker Program

SIR CHRISTOPHER HUM, KCMG
Former British Ambassador to China
Wednesday, March 16 at 6 PM EDT

 

Will China Rule the World?

On his first visit to China, during the tumult of the Cultural Revolution, Christopher Hum watched Chairman Mao receive the adoration of his Red Guards. He lived there in all for ten years, as a diplomat and as British Ambassador between 2002 and 2005, and saw its transformation into the superpower it is today. In his lecture, he gives a first-hand account of China's rise and asks whether today's resurgent China is a threat or an opportunity for the world.


Admission pricing:
  • $20 for ESU members
  • $25 for non-ESU members. 

This will be an in-person event at the English-Speaking Union, located at 144 E 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. The event will be held at 6pm EDT.

   

Register Here

  

Seats are limited for this event.
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for entry. Masks will be required at all times during the event.


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The English-Speaking Union

New York City Branch

New York City Branch Landmark Photo

Welcome to the ESU

The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.

To find out more about our programs click here.