English Language Programs is excited to offer three types of language table & listening events: 1) Just Thinking Out Loud Livestream Listening Events, 2) ELP Online Watch Parties, & 3) Something to Talk About Language Table Events. All three events are offered throughout fall, winter, and spring quarters each academic year, and some may be offered year-round. They are open to all members of the Northwestern community.
Just Thinking Out Loud Livestream Listening Events
Our Just Thinking Out Loud Livestream Listening events are designed to help students with their English listening skills while focusing on a topic of interest and importance. Anyone the Northwestern community is welcome to join and participate.
- Free and open to all members of the Northwestern community
- Events are 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
- Participants are encouraged to engage with each other after the listening task of the event is finished
- Events are designed to focus on listening skills at any level of English proficiency
Just Thinking Out Loud Livestream Listening Calendar
- Our Fall Quarter 2026 Schedule of Livestream Listening Events is posted below:
| Date/Time | Event Name/Description | Event Host |
|
10/28/26 (Wed) 6:30-7:30 PM |
"Student Voices" Description: Join ELP's Assistant Director, Brian Hampson, for ELP's Just Thinking Out Loud event for Fall Quarter 2026. The theme for this quarter's event will be "Student Voices". Participants can leave their cameras and mics off as they join the Zoom meeting to listen in as Brian hosts a discussion with a current student and/or alumni.
Unlike other language tables, this will be a listening event as Brian leads the discussion with the guest(s). You can drop a question or comment in the chat, including privately just to Brian if you want, but you don’t have to, and you do not have to speak out loud yourself. This will be like listening in to a podcast, a livestream, or even the radio. Instead of the usual language table format, for this listening event, the host and guest(s) will share anecdotes and opinions, so you can hear various word choices, phrasing, and other facets of speech and language. This is a great way to practice focuses listening while noticing natural phrases, expressions, rhythm, and intonation. All are welcome! Please join us!!
|
Brian Hampson ELP Assistant Director |
Click here to signup for our Just Thinking Out Loud Livestream Listening Event
ELP Online Watch Parties
Our Online Watch Parties offer a chance to learn new words, phrases, and cultural nuances through TV shows and movies. Anyone in the Northwestern community is welcome to join and participate.
- Free and open to all members of the Northwestern community
- Events are held online throughout the academic year (fall, winter, and spring quarters only)
- Advanced registration is required to access the session
- Participants weigh in to choose what the group watches online together
- Ask and discuss questions about words, phrases, and/or cultural nuances
- A supportive environment for speakers at any level of English proficiency
- Perfect for listening practice and vocabulary building
ELP Online Watch Party Event Calendar
- Our Fall Quarter 2026 Schedule of ELP's Online Watch Parties is posted below:
| Date/Time | Event Host |
|
10/9/26 (Fri) 5:30 PM start |
Autumn Bryant, ELP Speech Language Pathologist |
Click here to signup for the October 9th Online Watch Party
Something to Talk About Language Table Events Series
Our Something to Talk About Language Table series 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
Something to Talk About Language Table Event Calendar
- Our Fall Quarter 2026 Schedule of Something to Talk About Language Table Events is posted below:
| Date/Time | Event Name/Description | Event Host |
|
10/2/26 (Fri) 12:00-1:00 PM |
"Fall Holidays" Description: Join ELP's Language Pedagogy Specialist, Jen Alexander, for a discussion about fall holidays.
This discussion will feature different fall holidays that celebrate this unique season. As the weather continues to change, we will look ahead at various holidays that many celebrate both in American culture and other cultures. Share your own experiences of how you celebrate fall/autumn in your home country or culture.
All are welcome to join!
|
Jen Alexander ELP Language Pedagogy Specialist |
|
10/9/26 (Fri) 10:00- 11:00 AM |
"American Music" Description: Join ELP's Speech Language Pathologist, Mark Temenak, for a discussion about American music.
No matter where you go in the world, music is part of culture. However, there are particular cultural and historical factors that lead to new and unique types of music being invented. Join us for a discussion of American music genres, the history behind them, modern examples of idioms from music, and even a fun challenge for your listening skills!
Please join us!
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Mark Temenak ELP Speech Language Pathologist |
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10/16/26 (Fri) 3:00-4:00 PM |
"Game On! Fall Sports & Small Talk in the U.S." Description: Join ELP's Language Pedagogy Specialist, Tamra Wysocki, for a discussion about fall sports and small talk in the United States.
Fall is a busy time for sports in the U.S., from college and professional football to the baseball playoffs and the start of basketball and hockey seasons. Join Tami, ELP instructor and definitely not a sports expert, to explore some popular fall sports and sports traditions, pick up common expressions for talking about games and teams, and practice ways to join in sports-related small talk—even if you’re not into sports! We’ll also share and compare sports and fan culture from around the world.
All are welcome to join!
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Tamra Wysocki ELP Language Pedagogy Specialist |
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10/20/26 (Tue) 2:00-3:00 PM |
"What the F*? Understanding One of English's Most Versatile Words" Description: Join ELP's Senior Director, Julia Moore, for a discussion about the word 'fuck'.
The word fuck is among the most common, controversial, and linguistically interesting words in English. In this interactive discussion, we'll explore how this single word can function as an insult, an intensifier, an expression of emotion, a joke, or a marker of social identity. We’ll talk about how attitudes toward swearing differ across and within cultures, as well as about usage: when it is offensive, when is it friendly, and when should you avoid it? Come curious, bring your questions, and together we'll try to figure out what the fuck everyone means when they say fuck.
All are welcome!
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Julia Moore ELP Senior Director |
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10/22/26 (Thur) 10:00-11:00 AM |
"Preparing for Winter" Description: Join ELP's Assistant Director, Brian Hampson, for a discussion about how to prepare for the cold and snow in Evanston/Chicago.
Winter is COMING -> Whether we like it or not and whether we are ready or not. For many people at Northwestern, it will be ANOTHER winter. For many people at Northwestern, it will be their FIRST winter in Evanston/Chicago.
Join Brian to talk about winter and how you can prepare for the cold and snow. We will also look at potential shopping list items that you should consider buying if this will be your first winter in the area. Feel free to share your own questions about or love/hate experiences with winter! All are welcome to join!
|
Brian Hampson ELP Assistant Director |
Click here to signup for our Something to Talk About Language Table Events