Our Language Table series, Something to Talk About, offers a chance to meet other people for fun, informal activities and casual conversation. Anyone in the Northwestern community is welcome to join and participate.
- Free and open to all members of the Northwestern community
- Events are mostly held online throughout the academic year (fall, winter, and spring quarters only)
- Advanced registration is required to access the session.
- Each event highlights a specific aspect of US English and/or American culture
- Ask questions, share experiences and opinions with peers and ELP staff
- A supportive environment for speakers at any level of English proficiency
Winter Quarter 2025 - Something to Talk About Language Table Events Series
- One sign-up form (click here)
- Register for one, two, or all of the language table events for this quarter
- If you sign up for an event but your availability changes, resubmit the form. We will contact you based on your most recent availability provided in the online form
- ELP will contact you with ZOOM meeting information for events that you have registered for
- Format for language table events for Winter Quarter 2025 -> 5 remote events (via Northwestern ZOOM)
- Note - This schedule is subject to change
- Language Table Event Schedule for Winter Quarter 2025
| Date | Time | Event Name (format) | Event Description | Hosted by |
| 1/24/25 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Active Listening during Academic & Research Presentations (remote) | Join ELP's Assistant Director, Brian Hampson, for a discussion about active listening during academic and research presentations. In the first language table event of Winter Quarter 2025, we’ll share different experiences in attending academic and research presentations. Note – this event focuses on the experience as an audience member -> not the presenter’s experience. This session will discuss different approaches to active listening during these presentations, ranging from passive listening to active participation. We’ll identify challenges to active participation and strategies to address these challenges. Students and scholars are encouraged to attend and bring their own questions and experiences to share! |
Brian Hampson (ELP Assistant Director) |
| 1/31/25 | 12:15-1:15 PM | Writing Clear and Professional Email Messages (remote) | Join ELP's Language Pedagogy Specialist, Tami Wysocki-Niimi, for a discussion about how to write clear and professional email messages. The ability to write professional email messages is an important skill to acquire and getting the tone just right is critical. In this language table event, Tami will discuss general email guidelines as well as writing a request and following up on requests when you don’t receive a reply. The event will also touch on how AI can help and hurt the process of creating appropriate messaging. Participants will also have time to go over any questions you may have about writing email messages. Don’t miss this hands-on opportunity to polish your writing skills. |
Tami Wysocki-Niimi (ELP Language Pedagogy Specialist) |
| 2/7/25 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Accents/Dialects and Perception (remote) | Join ELP's Speech Language Pathologist, Mark Temenak, for a discussion about accents, dialects, and perception. Although English is considered natively spoken in a handful of countries, there are over 160 different English dialects/accents you might encounter around the world! With each dialect, however, also comes many vocabulary, grammar, and cultural differences which can lead to some interesting perceptions, both good and bad and in person and online. If you’re interested in learning how different accents and languages are perceived by English speakers and in media, come, learn, and share your perspective! |
Mark Temenak (ELP Speech Language Pathologist) |
| 2/21/25 | 12:15-1:15 PM | The Language of Fashion (remote) | Join ELP's Speech Language Pathologist, Autumn Bryant, for The Language of Fashion, an engaging discussion on style, trends, and personal expression through clothing. Practice using fashion-related vocabulary, share your favorite clothing trends, talk about shopping for clothes, find out about fashion related-events in the U.S., reflect on American dress code expectations for various types of events, and discuss how style can be used for self-expression. This is a great opportunity to meet others, exercise your language skills, and talk about something fun and relatable—what we wear and why we care about it. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast or just curious, this event is for everyone! Come as you are; no prior fashion knowledge required! |
Autumn Bryant (ELP Speech Language Pathologist) |
| 2/28/25 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Arts and Culture in Chicagoland | Join ELP's Language Pedagogy Specialist, Jen Alexander, for a discussion about art and culture in the Chicagoland area. Known as the “Second City” (the first being New York), Chicago is home to a rich and bustling arts and culture scene. This city boasts a huge array of instrumental and choral music organizations, theater groups, museums, and more. These range from beginner/children’s-level to the top of the profession. This language table event will give you the chance to learn more about Chicago’s arts and culture offerings, as well as the language used to discuss it. Come with questions! Hope to see you there!!! |
Jen Alexander (ELP Language Pedagogy Specialist) |