English conversation groups help foster fluency

PHOTO: English conversation group members listen as one of their peers tell a story.

By Juna Brothers

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

In most meetings, it would be remiss to let introductions last for more than an hour. But in the English conversation groups at the Davis library, the point is just to talk and familiarize attendees with the workings of the English language. 

Most meetings start with each attendee introducing themselves: their name, their home country and what brought them to Davis. Many have been here for less than a year, coming through some connection to UC Davis, or to be with family. All of them want to improve their English. 

Jack Karolewski has been a volunteer facilitator of these English conversation groups since 2018, where he has met people from 38 different countries. He has six other volunteer jobs, but he has the most fun with this one. 

“They love it and they’re so happy that it’s available. They’re so happy that it’s free. They tell me that in their countries something like this would never be available, and if it was, you’d have to pay for it,” Karolewski said. 

The library’s English conversation groups often include recounting memories, sharing travel stories, and word searches. Similar English conversation groups, as well as ones in other languages exist throughout the Yolo County library system and at the Davis International House. 

An avid traveler, Karolewski has been to 118 countries so far. Knowing only basic Spanish and French from school, he understands the struggles of not being able to communicate in another language. 

“You’re listening to someone asking you a question and you’re hearing what they’re saying, your brain is processing that you’re reprocessing it in your home language, and then you’re turning it back and trying to remember how to respond . . . you just freeze,” he said. 

Knowing the difficulties in translating one’s thoughts between languages, witnessing people’s breakthroughs becomes even more rewarding. 

“You can see their faces light up when they understand the word. They understand that I understand what they’re saying,” Karolewski said.