NYC BRANCH NEWSLETTER
THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION
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Thursday, April 2nd
The ESU Players will present a staged reading of Harvey.
The 1944 Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy by Mary Chase. Elwood P. Dowd is a polite and eccentric man whose best friend is an invisible, six- foot-tall rabbit named Harvey. The
play follows his family's attempt to have him committed to a sanitarium, only for Elwood’s kindness and charm to impact everyone he meets.
6:00 p.m. Reception at the English Speaking Union’s Garden Room
6:30 p.m. Harvey. Admission is Free |
Upcoming Performance:
Thursday, May 7th
The ESU Players will present a staged reading of Lend Me a Tenor,
a comedy by Ken Ludwig, about the chaos that ensues when the Cleveland Grand Opera Company's star tenor, Tito Merelli, goes missing, leading his assistant Max to impersonate him, resulting in two "Otellos" on stage and a night of mistaken identities, romantic mix-ups, and mayhem. Two professional singers will perform the roles of Tito and Max.
6:00 p.m. Reception at the English Speaking Union’s Garden Room
6:30 p.m. Lend Me a Tenor Admission is Free |
ENGLISH IN ACTION ACROSS AMERICA (EiA)
Volunteer with English in Action
It is a busy day during the week in New York City. Millions of people speed walk through its streets and enter its many skyscrapers for work. But down on 39th street, between 3rd and Lex, something entirely different is taking place. Here, a local volunteer is patiently listening and learning about another person's life. Across from them is a new immigrant practicing their English, struggling to use new words but ultimately expressing themselves in a language not their own. These conversation pairs are building a relationship that will last a lifetime. This is the English in Action volunteer conversation program.
Not being able to communicate in English is a major barrier for immigrants and other newcomers. For more than 60 years, the English in Action volunteer conversation program has helped students build fluency in English and lead confident, successful lives. The program offers a safe and inclusive space to acquire the language skills to navigate everyday life, access basic services, and communicate effectively in a professional setting.
Of English in Action, one student said, "The best part of EiA is getting to practice English through real conversations, meeting new people, and feeling more confident every week. It’s not just about learning the language, but also about connecting with others and enjoying the process."
Volunteering is open, online or in-person, and EASY! Learn more and sign up for an Information Session here.
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THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION |
Discover. Connect. Thrive. With the English-Speaking Union.
At the English-Speaking Union (ESU), we champion the power of the English language to bring people together—across borders, cultures, and generations. Language is more than communication; it’s a gateway to understanding, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
This is an especially exciting moment to be part of the ESU. As we celebrate the Legacy Event at the ESU House, launch our Capacity Building Campaign, and prepare for the nation’s 250th Anniversary with programs and events across the country, our work—and our community—continues to grow.
From students and educators to lifelong learners and globally curious individuals, the ESU offers meaningful ways to engage. Through workshops, speaker programs, exchanges, and special celebrations, you’ll find opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute.
Stay connected for upcoming events and initiatives, and join us as we build lasting friendships, exchange ideas, and advance global citizenship.
Join the ESU—where language inspires connection and community flourishes.
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Membership Office Hours:
March 30 at 6:00-7:00PM EST
Click Here
April 20 at 6:00-7:00PM EST
Click Here |
Introducing the ESU Educator Membership
We are proud to announce our new Educator Membership, offered exclusively to teachers involved in TLab, the National Shakespeare Competition, Middle & High School Debate and other ESU education programs. Benefits include:
- Access to exclusive professional development workshops - including Music in Shakespeare, live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in January
- Special curriculum resources and lesson plans
- Discounted tickets to the National Shakespeare Competition
- Preferred rates at the Shelburne Sonesta Hotel in NYC
- Exclusive discounts on select Broadway shows
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ESU INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS |
LUARD MORSE SCHOLARSHIP
The Luard Morse Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship providing up to $30,000 towards a semester of study at a British university to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities during their Junior year. The scholarship is open to students in all disciplines and has been awarded to students majoring in economics, philosophy, finance, mathematics, liberal arts, and the sciences. They can apply to the British university of their choice. Luard Morse Scholars have served as ambassadors for the United States while abroad and for British higher education upon returning home.
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ESU SECONDARY SCHOOL EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP (SSE)
The ESU SSE Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship providing tuition and room and board for scholars to spend a year between high school and college at a British boarding school. During this "Gap Year," these young scholars have new academic and social experiences in another country and culture. Through their year abroad, the SSE scholars gain independence, a global outlook, and increased maturity that benefit them at college and in their future careers.
ESU TRAVEL & LEARN ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS (TLab)
Since 1957, ESU Branches nationwide have generously provided scholarships to middle and high school teachers for summer study at Oxford, Edinburgh, and Shakespeare's Globe in London on 2-3 week programs in July and August. 1-week programs to Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon for the Page to Stage Program are also available for teachers and lifelong learners.
Application Deadline April 1st
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ESU INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION (IPSC)
Since 1983, the English-Speaking Union International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) has brought together outstandingly articulate young people from around the world for a week of public speaking competition and international cultural exchange at the ESU of the Commonwealth in London. For the first time, the US Finals Competition will be held at the ESU in NYC on April 24th to select the Delegate to send to London with a speech to celebrate the impact of two powerful public speakers -- Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
ESU MIDDLE SCHOOL DEBATE
Winter and Spring have been busy not just with ESU New York & New Jersey Saturday Debate Tournaments, but also with weekly debate classes both in-person at the ESU and also online!
Classes are taking place at the ESU after school every Wednesday and on Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday night through the end of April, led by some of the best ESU New York Debate League instructors, Nick Smart and Grace Campos.
Students and parents are already planning their summer fun at the 1-week Summer Debate Camps at the ESU throughout July. For more information and to register, go to ESU Debate Summer Camps.
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THE ESU NATIONAL SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION |
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2026 NYC Branch Shakespeare Winners Announced
Congratulations to the 9 talented ESU NYC Branch Shakespeare Finalists who took the stage at The Players in Gramercy Park on March 3! Their performances were truly inspiring.
2026 ESU NYC Branch Winners:
1st Place – Madison Martinez, Wadleigh Secondary School for the Performing & Visual Arts
2nd Place – Kriston Hall, Urban Assembly for Performing Arts
3rd Place – Izzy Levin, The Packer Collegiate Institute
Madison advances to the 2026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition, where she’ll compete with 40 Branch Champions from across the country at Lincoln Center on April 27. Best of luck!
Click Here for more information on the 2026 ESU National Shakespeare Competition.
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The ESU ANDREW ROMAY IMMIGRANT CENTER (ARNIC) |
ESU ARNIC partners with the Mayor’s Office to deliver an innovative English language curriculum
Since February, our center for new immigrants has partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs to deliver We Speak NYC, the city’s innovative curriculum for adult English language learners. Each class session uses a video episode that features an immigrant navigating life in New York City. Topics covered in the videos include accessing healthcare, navigating the workplace, and dealing with cultural adjustment. The videos used in the curriculum have even won an Emmy award!
Students discuss each story and compare their own lives with those of the immigrants featured in the videos. The program gives students plenty of speaking practice and builds awareness of the city services available to support immigrants. The sessions are facilitated by trained volunteers.
We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the Mayor’s Office in the months ahead.
To further support the Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center at the ESU, please consider donating at: https://www.esuus.org/getinvolved/donate/ |
March 25 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
Sponsored by the ESU Central PA Branch
Operation Overlord was the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Western Europe during World War II, launched on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) and involving about 160,000 troops landing across five beaches in Normandy. Winston Churchill initially worried about the potential for heavy casualties but ultimately played a key strategic role in supporting and helping ensure the operation's success. Allen Packwood, Director of the Churchill Archives Centre at the University of Cambridge, will discuss Churchill’s often overlooked role using documents from his personal papers.
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THE ESU 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS THURSDAY, APRIL 9
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The English-Speaking Union welcomes its members to NYC for the 2026 ESU Annual Conference on April 24th-26th, 2026. The conference, under the theme “United by Language, Inspired by Liberty.” The conference program will include the ESU 2026 Annual General Meeting, social events such as receptions and meals, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and local tours. We invite you to participate in the camaraderie and help us advance our programs that support teachers, students, and recent immigrants.
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Please click here to register for the 2026 AGM, or click below to register online
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