The English-Speaking Union

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The English-Speaking Union

Education. Scholarship. Understanding. Donate Here: https://secure.esuus.org/forms/end-of-year-appeal-donation-form-updated

ESU believes in building a better world through the English language and international exchange. We work to inspire common bonds: person-to-person, one conversation, one presentation, and one exchange at a time. By promoting creative and confident civil discourse, we enable participants to rise to their potential as individuals, thrive as global citizens, and join worldwide in pursuing conditions for peace. Donate Here: https://www.esuus.org/get-involved/donate/

10/13/2026

Shakespeare in Action!

What a fantastic day of learning, collaboration, and creativity at our recent ESU professional development workshop, “Shakespeare in Action: Teaching Through Performance!” Educators joined us at ESU Headquarters in NYC, as well as via Zoom, to explore performance-based teaching strategies and learn how to create their own schoolwide Shakespeare Festivals. Participants even had the opportunity to step into the world of Macbeth and bring the witches’ scene to life.

Thank you to our instructor Natasha Ippolito, and to everyone who joined us for such an engaging and inspiring workshop!

Keep an eye out for upcoming ESU professional development workshops, offered both on Zoom and in person, as well as this July’s 1-3 week TLab programs in London, Oxford, Edinburgh, and Stratford-upon-Avon!

Visit www.esuus.org to learn more!

10/02/2026

Join us Monday evening October 5 at the ESU Headquarters in New York City to kick off Clive Aslet’s ESUUS’s Tour on Charles III and Architecture.

Email us at [email protected] for more information and to attend.

09/17/2026

High school English and drama teachers... Are you ready to bring Shakespeare to life in your classroom?

The 2027 ESU National Shakespeare Competition is officially open!

Give your students the opportunity to step onto the stage, develop their performance skills and confidence, and compete with students from across the country on stage at Lincoln Center!

Ready to get started? For more information and to register your school, go to https://www.esuus.org/what-we-do/shakespeare-competition/

09/11/2026

The English Speaking Union of the United States remembers 9/11 -- 25 Years.

"Ay, that I will; and I’ll be wise hereafter
And seek for grace."
-The Tempest

09/09/2026

The English-Speaking Union (ESU) is thrilled to announce our new partnership with the National English Honor Society (NEHS), the world’s largest discipline-specific honor society for high school students passionate about English language and literature, creative writing, theatre, film & media studies, and journalism.

Through this exciting collaboration, we’re expanding access to signature educational programs for young people.

Beginning in 2027, students participating in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition (NSC) and ESU National & International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) will have the opportunity to join the NEHS UK Literary Tour 2027!

From historic London to the scholarly traditions of Cambridge and the timeless beauty of Stratford-upon-Avon, students will experience the places that inspired and shaped some of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, and stories.

For more information on the NEHS UK Literary Tour 2027, check out https://nehs.us/for-students/travel-conventions/uk-literary-tour/

08/12/2026

We are excited to share a volunteer opportunity with you!

We are looking for volunteers to participate in our professional mentoring program for immigrant job seekers. Each mentor in this program will be matched with an immigrant job seeker. They will work together to help prepare our mentees to navigate the U.S. job market and find economic success.

This is a 12-week program that will run from September 23rd-December 9th. Mentors will be asked to make a commitment between 1-2 hours per week. The entire program will take place online.

If you are interested in participating again in the Professional Mentoring program, please register for the information session on August 18 using this link: https://esuus-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/YmcnwHAOQtetRxt6LmHVSw #/registration

08/10/2026

The ESU Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) offers advanced-level English classes, career readiness, and community integration services for immigrants who are looking to build English skills and start a career in the U.S.

The ARNIC program is ideal for students who have already taken beginner courses at other programs. New immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in the greater New York City area are invited to apply to join.

Classes begin on September 8! If you are interested in joining, please register for an information session by scanning the QR code or going to https://esuus-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Vz2r0q6BRte03vRwuyuGUQ

08/06/2026

Our 2026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition winners had an unforgettable summer studying and performing Shakespeare at two renowned drama programs!

First Place winner Andy Wallace (Kentucky Branch) received a full scholarship to the British American Drama Academy's (BADA) Midsummer Conservatory Program at Oxford University.

Spirit Waddell (Atlanta Branch) attended the American Shakespeare Center's Summer Camp in Staunton, Virginia.

These immersive three-week programs give students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn and perform Shakespeare while building lifelong friendships along the way.

Registration for the 2027 National Shakespeare Competition opens soon.. stay tuned! To learn more, visit https://www.esuus.org/what-we-do/shakespeare-competition/

08/05/2026

Sri Lanka wins the ESU International Public Speaking Competition 2026!

Congrats to 19 year old Omar Hazari of Sri Lanka who delivered a powerful speech on the theme "Lighting One Candle", a haiku by Japanese poet Yosa Buso at the grand final, held at the Royal Institution on July 17th. Theodora Todoran of Romania, was awarded 2nd place and Ian Karlton Muyimba of Uganda, 3rd place.

Across the week, students from 46 countries came together in London at the ESU International Headquarters at Dartmouth House and took part in cultural, educational and public speaking activities, including a double-decker London bus tour, and visits to the Tate Modern and London County Hall, alongside training sessions led by experienced professionals. The students developed their communication skills, shared ideas and built lasting international connections. Katherine Zhou of the ESU US shared: “I am so grateful to the ESU for this incredible experience. This week changed the way I see the world. I came to London for a speech competition and I left with forty-six reminders that the world is far more connected -- and for more human than I had ever imagined." Katherine returned to DC where she is interning this summer for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.

Learn more about the ESU International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) at https://www.esuus.org/what-we-do/international-public-speaking-competition

08/03/2026

The ESU's 2026 Page to Stage program has wrapped up another unforgettable week of theater immersion in beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon, presented in partnership with the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust. Our merry band included teachers, theater professionals and theatre lovers from across the country who experienced world-class performances by the Royal Shakespeare Company, plus talks and workshops at historic Hall's Croft with acclaimed authors, actors, directors, and Shakespeare scholars. Highlights included "The Cherry Orchard" with Sir Kenneth Branagh, the opening night preview of "Game of Thrones: The Mad King" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The trip concluded in London with lunch and a tour of the historic Lansdowne Club and more theater, including "Much Ado About Nothing" at Shakespeare's Globe. Thank you to everyone who made this inspiring week of learning, performance, and connection possible. We can't wait to do it again next year! For more information, go to https://www.esuus.org/what-we-do/teachers-learning-abroad/page-to-stage/

Address

144 E 39th Street
New York, NY
10016

Telephone

(212) 818-1200

Website

http://www.esuus.org/

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