The English-Speaking Union welcomes you to a morning at Dartmouth House, a mid-18th century Grade II* listed townhouse, our home in the heart of Mayfair. The event is a friendly and informal gathering of colleagues and acquaintances designed to make new connections and bring people together in a peaceful and elegant environment. Over a mid-morning cup of coffee you will meet ESU members and their wider circle of friendship from London’s international and diplomatic communities. Our Promotions Committee Chair, Mrs Sue Bull, will introduce the education and cultural exchange work of the English-Speaking Union and will lead a historic tour of Dartmouth House, host to some of the greatest international allegiances of modern times.

If you wish to attend, please register so we can inform the caterers.

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About our Education work:

The English-Speaking Union was formed in the belief that more effective communication between nations would lead to improved global understanding. This belief still stands strong today. As communities become ever-more multicultural, and society more polarised, there has never been a greater need to understand different perspectives and opinions. While technology purports to help us with communication, it is very much focused on the ‘broadcast’ aspects. What needs as much attention is critical engagement. Children need to learn how to listen and evaluate other points of view; how to distinguish fake news from real. They need to learn to disagree without being disagreeable, and they need to learn that what they think and what they have to say matters.

Our speech and debate programmes and cultural exchanges help with all these things. They improve oracy ability and academic attainment as well as a whole range of social, emotional and interpersonal skills now seen as increasingly important by both industry and educationalists. These include self-confidence, self-awareness, resilience and empathy.

International At Home