ESUs around the world

The English-Speaking Union was founded in the belief that more effective communication between nations would lead to improved global understanding and ultimately, world peace. This belief holds true today and there are currently 54 international English-Speaking Unions spanning the globe from Albania to Yemen.

The English-Speaking Union runs a number of programmes bringing people from different countries together, including our Secondary School Exchange and the prestigious International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC).

All International English-Speaking Unions are expected to attend the annual International Council meeting and to organise a public speaking competition in their     country, the winner of which attends the IPSC final in London. Many also run additional programmes such as public speaking and debating academies in Malta, English language summer schools in Romania, and English support for new arrivals in the US. We also encourage International ESUs to host debate tours. In so doing they welcome expert UK oracy coaches to their countries, strengthen links between nations, and help to embed speech and debate in classrooms around the world.

International English-Speaking Unions are guided by the legal constitution, charitable status and general aims of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth (England and Wales), although they operate autonomously and their activities are dependent on local requirements for not-for-profit organisations.

To find out more about your International ESU, use the filter above, or if you are interested in starting an ESU in your country, please contact us at international: membership@esu.org.