How to make speaking clubs truly effective?

Why do our students study English? To speak. People who are truly determined to speak a foreign language fluently would do a lot in order to be able to express themselves freely. Nevertheless, some of our students need a bit more incentive. And I know exactly the way to make them more motivated.

Online speaking clubs have become a great way for learners to practice English, especially since 2020 when virtual meetups became more common. These clubs break down barriers of time and distance, offering flexible and accessible practice opportunities for learners around the world.

One of the biggest benefits of speaking clubs is regular practice in real conversations. Unlike textbook exercises, these chats are spontaneous. 

Over time, learners get used to thinking and responding in English without preparing in advance. This kind of natural use helps build fluency and confidence, pushing learners to use the words and grammar they already know in real situations. When it happens, students may not even notice that but we, teachers, can spot it right away.

Fear of making mistakes can stop people from speaking. But a well-run speaking club creates a supportive space where learners don’t feel judged. Regular practice, combined with kind feedback, helps reduce anxiety and builds self-esteem. 

Many learners feel more comfortable speaking in a club than in a classroom because there’s less pressure and no grades involved. Also they have enough time to observe other students involved in the speaking process.

Speaking clubs are not just about practice — they’re also social. Chatting with others, making friends, and discussing interesting topics makes learning enjoyable. 

When learners feel heard and understood, it gives them a sense of achievement and motivation to keep going. Talking about meaningful subjects also helps deepen engagement. In my speaking clubs I tend to raise topics that hit close to home so that students can relate. Therefore they usually have a lot to say.

Being part of a speaking club means hearing and using lots of new vocabulary in context. Talking to people from different backgrounds also helps with understanding various accents and improving pronunciation. 

Try to arm your students with relevant vocabulary before the speaking club or introduce this vocabulary in the session itself. 

Speaking clubs often bring together people from different countries and cultures. This opens the door to new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the world. At the same time, participants get to practice real-world communication skills like sharing opinions, telling stories, or having debates. 

These experiences prepare learners for social and professional conversations outside the club and give an opportunity to make friends all over the world.

Of course, running or participating in an online speaking club isn’t always smooth. I myself usually have this slight trembling in my chest before a session

Here are a few challenges and some ways I discovered to overcome them:

Not everyone is comfortable with technology. Poor internet connections, unfamiliar platforms, or lack of digital skills can make participation harder. 

To fix this, it helps to choose user-friendly platforms and offer simple guides or short tutorials to help new members feel comfortable. 

It will take up to a few minutes of your time to explain the basics to newbies. Or if you have an opportunity to send an email before the speaking club to your participants that will do the work.

Speaking clubs often have learners with very different skill levels. Some might speak fluently, while others struggle to find the right words. To support everyone, you should be able to plan mixed-level activities and give extra encouragement to shy or beginner learners. Using breakout rooms or pair work can also help everyone get more speaking time. 

Make sure you don’t mix only strong students with weak ones, since it may also backfire: stronger students might get bored and weaker ones may just close even more.

Even in a relaxed environment, some learners may still feel nervous. Others might lack motivation or doubt their abilities. That’s why it’s important to keep the mood friendly, celebrate small wins, and make sure no one feels left out. 

Encouraging peer support and giving regular, positive feedback can make a big difference. Don’t forget to cheer yourself up, you also deserve some recognition.

We may face our own set of challenges, like making sure everyone gets a chance to speak and managing time effectively. In bigger groups, it’s easy for a few people to dominate the conversation. 

Good facilitators create balance by setting ground rules, calling on quieter members, and keeping things moving so activities don’t drag. If you struggle to remember who you have already asked and whom you didn't (that was my problem back in the days), make a list of your students on the piece of paper and make some marks near their names.

If you're only organizing or improving your speaking club, here are some tips to keep it effective and engaging:

• Start with a short warm-up to help people relax — maybe a fun question or a quick game. Don't neglect ice-breaking activities especially with people who meet each other for the first time. 
• Then move on to the main activity, like a discussion, debate, or storytelling session. 
• End with a wrap-up to highlight useful vocabulary or invite feedback. 

A clear structure makes the session feel organized and purposeful.

Like I mentioned in the beginning, pick themes that are relevant and interesting to your group. Even if you don’t know what group is coming to your speaking club, think about current events, travel, hobbies, or even personal growth topics. 

Better yet, if you have this opportunity, let participants suggest themes — they’ll be more likely to join in when the topic matters to them.

Not everyone enjoys the same kind of task. Include a mix of games, pair work, small group chats, role plays, debates, and even short presentations. Use online tools like whiteboards, polls, or shared documents to make sessions more interactive. 

Breakout rooms are also great for giving everyone more speaking time in a relaxed setting.

Stick to a clear time plan for each activity. Keep an eye on who’s speaking and make space for quieter members. 

Simple strategies like turn-taking or assigning roles (e.g., timekeeper or discussion leader) can help everyone stay involved and on track. Swap the roles for everyone to be able to feel different experiences. 

Choose an online platform that offers key features like video calls, breakout rooms, screen sharing, chat, and collaborative tools. Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams are common choices. 

For added interaction, you can also explore platforms like Miro (for visual collaboration), or Padlet (for brainstorming sessions).

Online speaking clubs are more than just a place to practice English — they’re communities where learners grow in confidence, improve their fluency, and connect with others from around the world. 

With the right structure, topics, and supportive environment, they can become one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to develop real communication skills. At least it became something truly meaningful and useful during my practice.