Γεια σας. Xin chào. 안녕하세요. 你好. Hello.
Many people in Box Hill speak another language at home. Maybe you do too. Our English conversation class in Box Hill is a friendly place to practise. You are very welcome here.
Australia has many languages
Australia is a country of many languages and many cultures. This is a good thing. Your language is part of who you are.
But most daily life in Australia happens in English. You need English at the doctor. You need English at the bank. You need English to talk to your neighbours.
English has three parts
Learning English is easier when you think about three parts:
- Listening and speaking — talking with other people
- Reading — signs, letters, forms, the news
- Writing — a text message, an email, a form
You do not need to be good at all three at the same time. Many people can speak well but find writing hard. That is normal. You can practise one part at a time.
Keep your first language
Some people think you must forget your first language to learn English. This is not true.
Your first language helps you. When you already know a word in your language, it is easier to learn the English word. People who use two or three languages are strong learners, not weak ones.
So keep speaking your language at home. Keep it with your family. And add English to it.
English changes with the place
English is not the same everywhere.
You speak one way with a friend. You speak another way with a doctor or a government office. The words change. The politeness changes.
This is one of the hardest parts of English. It is also one of the most useful. The best way to learn it is to practise with real people, in a friendly place.
You are never too old
Some people say, “I am too old to learn English now.”
That is not true. Older people learn differently from children, but they still learn. You have many years of life experience. You already know how the world works. That helps you.
You do not need to be perfect. You only need to be understood.
Come and join our English conversation class in Box Hill
26LAN15 – English as an Additional Language meets Wednesdays at 2pm – 3pm.
First class: 7th October 2026
Where: U3A Box Hill, Strabane Hall, 29 Strabane Avenue, Mont Albert North 3129
Cost: free in term 4.
Contact: Valerie Bourke, 0488 233 221 or valerie.bourke@u3aboxhill.com.au
There are no exams. There is no homework. There is only friendly talk, tea, and practice.
Bring a friend if you like. Everyone is welcome.
Do you know someone who speaks another language at home?
… and would enjoy an hour of friendly English conversation?
Please encourage them to contact us directly — or, if they would rather we call them, ask their permission first and then pass their name and number to membership@u3aboxhill.com.au