The American Center in Moscow invites English learners of all ages, backgrounds, and speaking abilities to join us on Zoom for weekly meetings of the English Conversation Club every Thursday at 20:00 MSK. 

Each session, 6-8 native English-speaking hosts facilitate breakout rooms, which are divided by level of English proficiency (Beginner A1/A2, Intermediate B1, Upper Intermediate B2, and Proficient C1/C2). You are able to choose which room feels like the best fit based on your confidence in English conversation, and you can change rooms at any time throughout the meeting. Each week, discussions are supplemented by a new list of topics & questions.

The English Conversation Club is a wonderful opportunity to practice your English conversation skills under the guidance of native speakers, meet new people, and engage in interesting conversations with people from around the world. We hope to see you there!

Topics for Thursday, May 8:

Topic #1: Humor

• Do you think there should be limits on what people can joke about? Why or why not?
• How can humor change the mood or direction of a conversation or speech?
• Have you ever used humor to deal with a difficult situation? What happened?
• Do you think cultural differences affect what people find funny? Can you give an example?
• Is it easier to connect with someone who shares your sense of humor? Why?
• What’s the difference between a joke that’s clever and one that’s offensive?
• Can humor be an effective way to criticize something or someone? When does it go too far?
• How do comedians influence public opinion or social awareness?
• Do you think making fun of yourself is a healthy way to cope with insecurity?
• How has your sense of humor changed over the years?

Topic #2: Art

• What does “art” mean to you personally?
• Do you think everyone has the potential to be an artist in some way? Why or why not?
• How does art influence your emotions or thoughts? Can you think of a specific example?
• Should art always have a message or purpose, or can it exist just for beauty’s sake?
• Why do people perceive art in different ways?
• How does the art we consume reflect our values as a society?
• What form of art (painting, music, dance, film, etc.) speaks to you the most, and why?
• Why should we value art if it’s not necessary for survival?
• Have you ever created something artistic that you were proud of? What was it?
• How can art inspire people or bring them together in everyday life?

Topics for Thursday, May 15:

Topic #1: Friendship

• What qualities do you value most in a friend?
• Do you believe it’s better to have a few close friends or a large group of acquaintances? Why?
• How have your friendships changed as you’ve gotten older?
• What makes maintaining friendships difficult in today’s world?
• Can you think of a time when a friend truly helped you through something?
• How do you usually make new friends as an adult?
• Do you think online friendships can be as meaningful as in-person ones? Why or why not?
• How do you handle conflict or misunderstandings with friends?
• What role does trust play in building strong social connections?
• Have you ever reconnected with an old friend? What was that experience like?

Topic #2: Technology

• How has technology changed the way you communicate with others?
• What’s one piece of technology you couldn’t live without, and why?
• Do you think technology makes life easier or more complicated?
• How do you manage your screen time or digital habits?
• Have you ever tried a digital detox? What was the experience like?
• How do you think smartphones have changed the way we experience the world around us?
• Do you trust smart devices like voice assistants or home automation systems? Why or why not?
• How does social media affect your relationships or daily mood?
• What’s a recent tech innovation you find exciting or helpful?
• Do you think future generations will depend on technology more or less than we do today?

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ALL AMERICAN CENTER IN MOSCOW EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE / ALL EVENTS OF THE AMERICAN CENTER IN MOSCOW ARE FREE OF CHARGE

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These sessions are hosted on  Zoom, so if you are interested in joining, please create a Zoom account beforehand. When registering below, please submit your valid email address to receive a link to the Zoom meeting 30 minutes before the session begins.

To join other AMC Online programs, please check the American Center’s  TimePad  calendar.