Discover. Connect. Thrive. With the English-Speaking Union.
The English-Speaking Union (ESU) leverages the power of language to build community, foster global citizenship, and encourage lifelong learning across cultures and generations. Following the success of the recent Celebrate Legacy, Inspire the Future event at ESU House, the organization is sustaining momentum through its ongoing Capacity Building Campaign. The ESU continues to offer a variety of meaningful engagement opportunities for students, educators, and lifelong learners nationwide through dedicated workshops, speaker events, cultural exchanges, and specialized programs.
The finish line is in sight. Help us break through it.
If you haven't given yet, we're asking you plainly: don't let this be the gift you meant to make. Make it. Today. Make it the one that put us over the top.
We are $37,000 away from history, and June 30 won't wait.
The 2025–2026 program year concluded with a memorable Annual General Conference and National Shakespeare Competition, bringing together students, teachers, and members in celebration of learning and fellowship. During the Conference, ESU announced that its Capacity Building Campaign has surpassed $963,000—more than 90% of its $1 million goal—and revealed that Donald Best will receive the prestigious Founder’s Award in 2026. Members are looking forward to a special London trip this July, while also looking ahead to the annual membership renewal campaign this fall.
On Thursday, June 11, we held our Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony for the 300+ graduates of our center for new immigrants. This joyful evening was an opportunity for us to celebrate our dedicated, resilient, and courageous immigrant, asylum seeker, and refugee students. Over the past year, they participated in countless hours of English classes, conversation practice, and career services. In the process, they have built the language and career skills to thrive in the U.S. The Class of 2026 was diverse, with students coming from 40+ countries.
The ceremony featured speeches and readings from our diverse and brilliant community. Our ESOL instructor, Tamara, gave a warm and heartfelt speech to the graduates, praising them for their engagement in classes and wishing them the best for the future. One of our graduates, Zion, read an original piece of writing titled “Out of the Mountain, to the Sea.” This work was written as part of our English class, “Writing in English,” and was selected for publication in The Literacy Review, a publication of New York University. Our graduate Marcela presented our keynote address and recounted our center’s positive impact on her career and personal journey as a newcomer to the U.S. A final highlight of the evening was the formal presentation of certificates to the graduates. Students cheered and encouraged each other as their names were read. The Vice-Chairman of the ESU National Board, Darryl McCormick, presented each graduate with their certificate.
It has been an honor and a privilege to work with our amazing graduates this year. Each of them will always have a home at our center. We wish them bright futures in the years to come and cannot wait to see what they accomplish!
ESU International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC)
Congratulations to ESU National Public Speaking Finalist Sanaa Roberts and Winner Katherine Zhou, who competed at the ESU National Headquarters in NYC! Both Katherine and Sanaa delivered riveting speeches on the theme of “Churchill & Eisenhower, Free Speech, Civic Responsibility, & Democratic Dialogue”. A junior at Choate Rosemary Hall, Connecticut, Katherine will receive an all-expense-paid trip to London this summer to represent the ESU-US at the ESU International Public Speaking Competition, July 13 - 18th.
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.
Congrats to the over 1000 students, coaches, and parents who participated in the ESU Sandhills/Pinehurst, Garden State, Jersey Shore, New York and East Coast High School Debate Leagues, honing their skills in public speaking and civil discourse this year. Their talent, dedication and teamwork are an inspiration to us all!
In New York City, middle school students and parents are already planning their summer fun at the 1-week ESU NY Debate League Summer Institutes throughout July, which are sold out at ESU National Headquarters! Students will develop their public speaking, argumentation, and critical thinking skills through a focused exploration of debate. New this year: an added cultural component, including visits to nearby museums, embassies, the UN and lunchtime talks with diplomats- connecting debate skills to real-world global institutions.
This year marked the 17th Annual Sandhills/Pinehurst Branch's Middle School Debate Competition, one of the branch's most successful to date. Forty-four two-person teams from ten public and private middle schools across Moore County participated in this day-long event. This program is made possible through the branch's longstanding partnership with the Rotary Club of Pinehurst and the support of numerous Moore County organizations. Together, they provided 44 volunteer judges, along with essential assistance from Moore County Schools and the National ESU.
Winners received trophies and scholarships to the Moore County Speech & Debate Camp, which will be held in July. All participants were awarded medals recognizing their research, preparation, and commitment to civil discourse.
Bon Voyage to ESU TLab Scholars!
Academic & cultural adventures await ESU educators and lifelong learners across the pond this summer on 1 to 3-week programs at the University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Shakespeare's Globe in London!
To mark this well-deserved recognition and to coincide with the International Council and International Public Speaking Competition hosted by our sister organization, the ESU of the Commonwealth, we invite you to join us for an extraordinary week in and around London, July 12-16, 2026. Under the theme of Metamorphoses and guided by renowned Shakespearean Dr. Catherine Loomis, our program in and around London, punctuated by the Founder’s Award Dinner on July 14 honoring Donald A. Best, will feature a series of specially arranged visits to palaces and cultural institutions, offering behind-the-scenes access and opportunities to meet members of historic families, distinguished scholars and individuals whose work and insights illuminate the week’s theme.
It promises to be a remarkable week, and we invite you to join us. Space is limited to 16 participants, so you are encouraged to reserve your place soon by following the links below:
Become an ESU Educator Member! Join the community of teachers nationwide involved in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition, Middle & High School Debate, Public Speaking and TLab! 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
BRANCH RECOGNITION
The Sandhills / Pinehurst Branch Garden Party
2025-26 Season at our annual Garden Party on May 31st at the Country Club of North Carolina. Members and guests gathered to honor the winners, families, and teachers of our major educational programs as well as our recent TLAB Scholar.
ESU Greenwich Branch: In celebration of the King and Queen's visit to NYC
During the April 29th 2026 royal visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla, Natalie Pray, MBE, President of the English-Speaking Union Greenwich Branch, had the distinct honor of attending the high-profile event at the New York Public Library. Pray shared her delight at participating in the NYC festivities on behalf of the ESU community. Her Majesty Queen Camilla spoke elegantly on the timeless importance of books, reading, and growing up with stories before the era of smartphones and the internet. The media coverage of Pray chatting with the Queen was featured on Fox Channel 5 the following morning. Adding to the delightful energy of the event, Pray also shared a bonus exchange with Anna Wintour, noting with a touch of wit that they were wearing remarkably similar outfits, though Wintour's was couture.
THE ESU NATIONAL SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
Shakespeare Recap
On April 27, 2026, the English-Speaking Union hosted the 43rd Annual National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, welcoming 39 outstanding semifinalists from across the country. Andy Wallace (ESU Kentucky Branch) took first place with compelling performances of Sonnet 29 and King Lear, earning a scholarship to the British American Drama Academy Midsummer Conservatory in Oxford, where he is headed in July.
Tristan Jenkins (ESU Kansas City Branch) and Spirit Waddell (ESU Atlanta Branch) earned second and third place. Spirit is headed to the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp this summer for 3 weeks in Staunton, Virginia. All the students also enjoyed a weekend of workshops, cultural activities, and a Broadway show. Congratulations to all who made this inspiring event a success!
The English-Speaking Union welcomed members to New York City for the 2026 Annual Conference, held April 24–26, under the theme “United by Language, Inspired by Liberty.” The weekend brought together members from across the country for the Annual General Meeting, engaging panel discussions and breakout sessions, and a full program of receptions, shared meals, and local tours.
It was a meaningful opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen our shared commitment to supporting teachers, students, and recent immigrants through the power of language.
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