USC American Language Institute

Conversation Groups

The Conversation Groups Program has been an ALI standard for more than 20 years. It aims at promoting English conversation between USC’s international and native English-speaking populations. This free resource is an excellent way for international students to supplement their studies and provides a casual environment in which they can practice their growing English skills with a native English-speaking USC student. Past participants have reported an improvement in their English speaking fluency, a comfort in interacting with English native speakers and a higher level of confidence in the English language.

Conversation Group meetings are held in person and are 50 minutes long. All sessions are run on a “first come, first-served” basis so students are encouraged to arrive on time, if not early. Students do not need to register or sign up in advance and may attend as many sessions as they wish. Students may also attend back-to-back sessions, but only if the second session does not have five new students in attendance.

Please note, the program is open to all international students; however, in the event of overflow, priority will be given to current ALI students.

Questions and comments regarding ALI’s Conversation Groups can be addressed to askali@usc.edu.

Summer 2025 Conversation Groups will take place Mondays and Tuesdays, starting Monday, June 9th and ending Tuesday, July 22nd. Groups are 50-minute sessions and will take place at 3pm and 4pm.

Groups will be at the Royal Street Parking Structure 106 on the Patio. (Royal Street Parking Structure is located here).

Dates:Days of the Week:Location:Times:
Monday June 9th - Tuesday July 22ndMondays & TuesdaysRoyal Street Parking Structure 1063-3:50 p.m.
4-4:50 p.m.

Please note that leaders and locations are subject to change, sometimes at the last minute.

Three USC students engaging in a friendly conversation outdoors under a red umbrella, smiling and enjoying their time as part of the ALI Conversation Groups program.

To register for a Conversation Group, please click on the link below:

Sign Up

If a session is canceled, students who register for a session will receive an email to their USC email account with a cancellation notice.

Please note that while the office does their best to run groups every day, some sessions may be canceled last minute due to lack of staffing. Thank you for your patience and understanding.