welcome to speakspace 💙

As speakspace is starting to grow, I wanted to extend a warm welcome to all the newcomers. Let me tell you a little bit more about what speakspace really represents, who Olya is, and what I’m planning on organizing here.

the way I see it 🌤️

First of all, I’ve always loved languages. Not in a textbook way, but in a learning-lots-of-interesting-things-through-it manner. Languages serve as bridges connecting us to various cultures. To maintain this bridge and aid your exploration, practice is crucial. Throughout my life, comments like ‘I think I understand the rule, but I need practice’ or ‘I can read it, but why can’t I speak it?’ have become very common. But to me, it's more than rules or struggles; it's about a burning desire to access information and connect with others. I recall the first time I spoke Italian fluently: it was during an argument, and I was eager to make my point. The intensity of the debate made me put aside hesitations and focus on my message.

why speakspace? 👻

During my language learning process, I felt a gap. There was no community where practice was fun and engaging. That's why I created speakspace. My vision? A place where learners come together, sharing their passion and honing their skills in a supportive environment.

what's in it for you? 👀

You're not just joining a community; you're embarking on a linguistic adventure. Expect intriguing posts, articles, literary pieces, and even memes. As for activities, we've got plenty. We'll be hosting free sessions weekly (you can check the pinned message), with even more for those craving additional engagement. And, keep an eye out: I’ll soon introduce another exciting feature here.

✨ Hi everyone! Have you ever felt that there aren't enough easily accessible and interesting resources in English? Well, @spkspc is here to help! We’ll start with the selection of resources that we enjoy reading ourselves. Save this list and share it with those interested:

🌕 Aeon: Articles that cover everything from cool science stuff to mind-boggling philosophy.

🌖 Nautilus: A rabbit hole into the world of science and culture. You'll find articles that make you go, "Whoa, I never knew that!”

🌗 LessWrong: It's like a clubhouse for brainy folks. Plenty of thought-provoking chats about science, reason, and all things awesome.

🌘 Quanta Magazine: If you're into super-smart things, this is your jam. Sometimes they make complex ideas sound simple!

🌑 Sophia-Project: Your go-to hub for philosophy enthusiasts! Discover a rich collection of original articles, primary texts, and commentaries in philosophy and ethics. Perfect for newcomers looking to explore great philosophical works.

🌒 Smithsonian Magazine: A blend of history, science, arts, and culture. Navigating history's highlights and today's hottest topics, all in one.

🌓 The Conversation: Academic rigor meets journalistic flair. This platform offers scholarly insights in an engaging style, and the best part? You can tailor content based on regions, diving into locally relevant academic perspectives.

🌔 Farnam Street: Aiming to help you think critically and expand your intellectual horizons. It covers a mix of book summaries, articles, and resources that encourage smarter thinking.

💙 speakspace: your new community to learn and grow

🌐 Top trending topics for you:

Bugs in the City of Love: As designers and models gather for Paris Fashion Week, an unexpected guest—the bed bug—has added a unique challenge to the event. The city's deputy mayor warns that 'no one is safe' as these blood-sucking intruders continue to spread. Discover how they're spoiling the fashion vibe.

Gender Disruption at Grace Hopper: At the recent Grace Hopper Celebration, a premier gathering for women in tech, a surprising twist occurred as a surge of men crashed the event in search of tech job opportunities.

You know nothing. About Stonehenge: A century-old explanation for the origin of Stonehenge's Altar Stone has been debunked by groundbreaking research. The iconic Altar Stone is now believed to have come from a completely different region, challenging everything we thought we knew about this ancient wonder.

Master's Degree in Magic: The University of Exeter is set to launch a groundbreaking master's program in magic and the occult, slated for September 2024. With decolonization, feminism, and anti-racism as its guiding stars, this mystical course promises to conjure fresh perspectives on everything from dragons to climate change.

Hey everyone! Tomorrow we are hosting our first free event.

📌Date & Time: October 7, 12:30-13:55 MSK
💬Level: B1-C1
👀Agenda: News Digest
💲Cost: This is an open event, so participation is entirely FREE

✨If you would like to join, please drop a "+" in the comments✨

Platform & Setup:

We'll be meeting online via Zoom. Participants will be divided into groups of 3-4 people, matched based on their proficiency level.

Here's how it'll go down:

1. Introduction to the rules and overall structure.

2. In the main room, we'll discuss interesting news and explore the vocabulary.

3. We'll then transition to breakout rooms for more fun and Q&A on the news topics.

Resources & Links:

• The materials will be available here one hour before we kick off.
• The Zoom link will be posted 5 minutes before the start.

Please don’t be afraid or embarrassed to speak, everyone makes mistakes, this is how life goes 😉

This event is about engagement, not about textbooks, not about grammar, and not about your pronunciation. So spread the word and bring along your friends!

P.S. If you are not sure about your English proficiency level, you can test yourself here

SEE YA 👋

We're starting in an hour! And here are the materials for you to read in advance.

📌Date & Time: October 7, 12:30-13:55 MSK
💬Level: B1-C1
💲Cost: This is an open event, so participation is entirely FREE
🌐Link: will be here 5 min prior to the start

✨Hey everyone! Thank you very much for coming today, it was a pleasure to see y'all! You can review the materials in the comments.

😘 Please share you thoughts and experience here (don’t worry, it’s anonymous)

For those who wanted to attend but weren't able to, or were hesitant to join, there are 3 more meetings in October, and we'd really love to meet you 🥺

Make sure to spread the word and bring you friends next time!

While we are preparing our next event, please don’t forget to check the channel, you’ll see even more interesting posts!

See you on October 11 😉

Hi! Tomorrow we’re hosting our next free event.

📌Date & Time: October 11, 19:30 MSK
💬Level: B1-C1
👀Agenda: Speed Debates
💲Cost: This is an open event, so participation is entirely FREE

✨If you would like to join, please drop a "+" in the comments✨

Platform & Setup:

We'll be meeting online via Zoom. Participants will be divided into small groups, matched based on their proficiency level.

Here's how it'll go down:

1. Introduction to the rules and overall structure.

2. In the main room, we'll discuss interesting debate topics and explore new vocabulary.

3. We'll then transition to breakout rooms for the debates.

Resources & Links:

• The materials will be available here one hour before we kick off.
• The Zoom link will be posted 5 minutes before the start.

👻 Please don't be afraid! We understand that 'Speed Debates' may sound challenging, but we assure you that nobody is going to scold you for your mistakes. The pros significantly outweigh the cons, as debating is beneficial for English learners. It enhances your critical thinking skills, improves your fluency, and exposes you to diverse perspectives and expressions in the language.

This event is about engagement, not about textbooks, not about grammar, and not about your pronunciation. So spread the word and bring along your friends! 😉

P.S. If you are not sure about your English proficiency level, you can test yourself here

We're starting in an hour! Have a look at the materials, they might be useful for the debates.

📌Date & Time: October 11, 19:30 MSK
💬Level: B1-C1
👀Agenda: Speed Debates
💲Cost: This is an open event, so participation is entirely FREE

✨Hey everyone! Thank you very much for coming today, it was a pleasure to see y'all!

😘 Please share you thoughts and experience here (don’t worry, it’s anonymous)

For those who couldn't make it or were unsure about joining, we have two more meetings in October. We'd genuinely love to see you there. 🥺

Make sure to spread the word and bring you friends next time!

As we gear up for our upcoming event, remember to keep an eye on the channel for more intriguing posts!

See you on October 17 😉