So you have been learning a new language for a while now and you are making a lot of progress, but you feel like something is missing. You can practise reading and writing and listening… but where can you practise speaking? This post looks at where you can practise speaking your chosen language with native speakers and other language enthusiasts in Bristol. You may also find conversation opportunities online, such as Skype-type language exchanges, but this post focuses on what you can find on your doorstep and encourages you to get out there and meet people – because that remains the best way to practise your language skills! It is arranged by language.
I have personally tried and tested the Dutch and French Meet Up groups and am hoping to start the Arabic group soon. The Dutch group especially is very active. The French group is looking for new organisers so you could put yourself forward if you are interested. I found out about the others through the recommendations from other people and research. If you have any others to add, please let us know!
Arabic
Bridges for Communities is a Bristol-based organisation that connects people from different cultures and faiths, enabling them to build friendships and grow in their understanding of one another. They have a project called RefuLingua that links Arabic speakers with other Bristolians wanting to learn Arabic. They run a conversation club in Easton on a Monday night. Please get in touch with Bridges for Communities if you want to know more.
There isn’t currently an Arabic “Meetup” group in Bristol but if you would like to create one, a skeleton group already exists.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Chinese
Bristol Mandarin Chinese Meetup group gives you an opportunity to meet Mandarin Chinese speakers and practise your speaking skills.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Dutch
There is a Facebook group for Dutch speakers in Bristol: Dutch in Bristol/Nederlanders in Bristol. You can access conversation opportunities through this group – you will find more information on the group’s page.
There is a Dutch language Meetup group in Bristol that meets on Tuesday nights in central Bristol.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
French
You can join the two Facebook pages for French speakers in Bristol: Français à Bristol and Alliance Française de Bristol to access conversation opportunities in French.
There is a very active French language Meetup Group which meets in various locations across Bristol, so French speakers from all over the city can practise their language skills.
The Bristol French Circle/Cercle français de Bristol offers an opportunity to meet and speak French every other Thursday from October to May. The meetings start at 7.30pm at BAWA health and Leisure club in Filton. The Circle also organises other activities such as trips to French restaurants or to the cinema to see French-language films.
There are a lot of French conversation groups in many different locations organised by U3A (University of the Third Age) – have a look on the website for a location near you. Joining U3A comes with an annual membership fee of £20.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
German
Conversation tables are a very German tradition and Bristol has its very own “Stammtisch” too, every first Tuesday of the month at the Bavarian Beer House in central Bristol.
There is a Facebook group for German speakers in Bristol, “Deutsche in Bristol”, where you can access conversation opportunities.
The Bristol Anglo-German Society offers conversation groups too.
There is also a German conversation group that meets twice monthly on Monday afternoons from 2-3.30pm at the Harbourside, organised by U3A (University of the Third Age). Joining U3A comes with an annual membership fee of £20.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Italian
There is an Italian conversation group on Wednesday afternoons and another one in the evening in Fishponds organised by U3A (University of the Third Age). Joining U3A comes with an annual membership fee of £20.
There is a Meetup group for people wanting to practise Italian.
Internations offers an opportunity to meet native speakers of Italian and converse with them.
The Hunter Language Exchange group on Meetup offers Italian among its languages.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Japanese
The Bristol Japanese Language Meetup Facebook group offers an opportunity to practise your Japanese language skills.
There is also a Japanese language group on Meetup.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Polish
You could join the Facebook group “Polacy w Bristolu, Bath I okolicach” for Polish speakers in Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas, to give you an opportunity to meet Polish speakers and practise your language skills.
The Hunter Language Exchange group on Meetup offers Polish among its languages.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Portuguese
To find Portuguese speakers to speak to, you could look at the Facebook groups “Brasileiros em Bristol”, “Let’s Speak Portuguese Bristol” and “Portugueses em Bristol UK”.
Internations also offers an opportunity to meet native speakers of Portuguese.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Russian
UWE and Bristol University have Russian language-exchange Facebook Groups.
There isn’t currently a Russian language Meetup group in Bristol but if you would like to create one, a skeleton group already exists.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
Spanish
There are lots of Spanish-language Meetup groups in Bristol so you can take your pick.
North Bristol Community Project holds a conversation club in Bishopston on a Thursday from 7-9pm. It comes with a cost of £10 per session or £80 for 10 sessions, which includes soft and hot drinks.
U3A (University of the Third Age) organises a Spanish conversation group on Wednesday mornings in North Bristol. Joining U3A comes with an annual membership fee of £20.
There are many Bristol-based Spanish-language Facebook groups, such as “Argentinos en Bristol”, “Chilenos en Bristol”, “Ecuatorianos en Bristol”, “Españoles en Bristol”, “Bristoleños” and “Mexicanos en Bristol”, where you can access conversation opportunities.
The Bristol Erasmus Student Network holds regular Language Tandem events at Zerodegrees bar in central Bristol. Check their Facebook page for details of the next event.
And finally…
Don’t forget to check Gumtree and My Language Exchange for individual language exchange opportunities as well.
Suzannah Young
