The English-Speaking Union

Charlottesville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The English Speaking Union Expands minds, Strengthens friendships, Unlocks opportunities – through the use of the English language.  Our diverse educational programs highlight the broad base audience we serve—students, educators, English-language learners, new immigrants, and members.                                                                                                                                                      

Join the Charlottesville ESU Branch

Announcements

Registration for this year’s Fall Gala is open now!

The first event for the 2026-2027 year will be on 13 October.  Please see the President’s email dated 8/25/2026 for instructions on sending payments. 

For those that have received, membership renewal emails and have not yet renewed, please consider doing so soon.

Please see the Branch AGM and Garden Party Photo Page – New Posting

Branch Garden Party at Fox Run – 7 June 2026 (Link)

Please see the National Shakespeare Competition Photo Page – New Posting

  National Shakespeare Competition – NYC – 25 to 27 April 2026 (Link)

 

Please see the national Annual General Meeting – NYC – Photo Page – New Posting

National Annual General Meeting – NYC – 24 to 25 April – 2026 (Link)

Recording of President Phil’s National Happy Hour Presentation – Older Posting but Must Watch

In case you missed it, this approximately 1-hour presentation was made on 14 January 2026 when the Charlottesville Branch hosted the National Virtual Happy Hour for January.  Title of the presentation was “The American Revolution : A Civil and a World War.”  Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss4-JtUJs58  (Link)

To see a page with links to photos and reporting for all past Charlottesville Branch events, please use this link:

Photos and Reporting for the Charlottesville Branch

Upcoming Branch and National Events

Happy Hour: Daniel Boone: The First Kentuckian (National Event)

October 7 @ 4:00 am – 5:00 pm EDT

Daniel Boone (1734-1820) was an American pioneer, trailblazer, outdoorsman, revolutionary, and adven…

Find out more »

For Educators: Shakespeare in Action – Teaching Through Performance (National Event)

October 10 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm EDT

In this interactive session, held at ESU Headquarters in NYC and online via Zoom, Natasha will share…

Find out more »

Black Tie Gala Kick-Off at Farmington Country Club. “The Play’s the thing!” (Branch Event)

October 13 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm EDT

The Charlottesville Branch of the English-Speaking Union cordially invites you and your guests to th…

Find out more »

Happy Hour: Virginia’s Role: From English Rights to American Constitutions with A. E. Dick Howard (National and Branch Event)

November 4 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST

The Charlottesville Branch will again host the Nation-wide ESU Happy Hour Podcast. In this ongoing…

Find out more »

The Story of Burgundy Wine at the Greencroft Club – Lunch (Branch Event)

November 8 @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm EST

Lunch will include the tasting of five famous wines of the area, complete with an amuse bouche with …

Find out more »

Branch Christmas Party

December 6 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST

A Sunday afternoon Christmas Party Chez Kelly at The Glenmore House. A tax-deductible per person ch…

Find out more »

Happy Hour: The Surprising History of Santa and Christmas Traditions in America (National Event)

December 9 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST

Christmas in America has a much richer and stranger history than the cozy images we k…

Find out more »

Burns Night at Glenmore Country Club (Branch Event)

January 21, 2027 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm EST

Now an event with a track record to warm the cockles of old Rabbie’s heart. Pipes, kilts or black …

Find out more »

Shakespeare Competition at Blackfriars Theatre in Staunton (Branch Event)

February 6, 2027 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST

Come and cheer the contestants on as they orate the incomparable words of the Bard. Refreshments are…

Find out more »

Happy Hour: Patrick Henry v. Thomas Jefferson – What is a Loyal Opposition? (National Event)

March 3, 2027 @ 5:00 am – 6:00 pm EST

The Charlottesville Branch will again host the Nation-wide ESU Happy Hour Podcast. The Branch is …

Find out more »

Mystery Movie Matinee (Branch Event)

March 4, 2027 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm EST

This will be at the Alamo Theater near Wegmans off Rt. 64. Easy parking.  In-seat dining.  Preside…

Find out more »

TLAB Teacher’s Presentations (Branch Event)

March 20, 2027 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm EDT

The 2026 Teachers Learning Abroad (TLAB) recipients for both the Charlottesville and the Richmond ES…

Find out more »
See all Upcoming Events
Go to Calendar

In the News

An ESU Blog about news of local interest in the Charlottesville Branch.

Read More

ESU Educational Programs in Charlottesville

What We Do

Shakespeare Competition

The ESU National Shakespeare Competition is a performance-based education program. High school students develop analytical and communication skills by performing Shakespeare at the school, community, and national levels. Since 1983 more than 360,000 students have brought the timeless works of Shakespeare to life.

TLab: Teachers Learning Abroad

Since 1957, the ESU has provided summer study abroad scholarships to middle and high school teachers at Oxford, Edinburgh and Shakespeare’s Globe in London.

Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series

The ESU Charlottesville Branch hosts many prominent authors and scholars including ESU’s own Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series named after our founder. These renowned British and American speakers present programs on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to, current events, history, language, literature, art, architecture, and travel.

Happy Hour Series

In response to the COVID-19 world, in July of 2020 ESU members got together to introduce the virtual Happy Hour Program, which has been met with resounding success. The Happy Hour Program brings guest speakers from locations all over the world, live and free of charge using the Zoom format. And to make it a real happy hour, a few of the speakers suggest signature cocktails to match the theme for the attendees to create and enjoy at home during their presentations. Many speakers also offer exciting participation opportunities with fun give-away books and products at the end of each program. All Happy Hour events are recorded and available for download to members and anyone interested to watch on-demand.

English in Action

English in Action is a program that closely identifies with the needs of the growing immigrant population in Charlottesville and throughout the U.S. English in Action pairs immigrant newcomers to the United States with fluent English speakers for one-on-one conversation sessions.

ESU National Educational Programs

What We Do

Scholarship Programs

The English Speaking Union offers a variety of scholarship programs for students, educators, and lifelong learners.

English in Action Across America

English in Action helps newcomers to the U.S. improve their English language skills and build confidence. Students and volunteers meet weekly for one-to-one conversation practice. At the heart of the program is a commitment to cross-cultural exchange. Students gain insight into life in the U.S. Volunteers learn about different cultures and support immigrants, refugees and other newcomers building new lives in this country.

Debate & Public Speaking

The ESU’s middle and high school debate leagues provide students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking skills through public speaking at debate tournaments in the US throughout the academic year. Students from all over the world also have the opportunity to hone their skills during the International Public Speaking Competition in London.

International Public Speaking Competition

The International Public Speaking Competition brings together outstandingly articulate young people from all over the world for a week of public speaking competition and international cultural exchange with the ESU of the Commonwealth in London. The finalist contestants meet and learn with their peers of different backgrounds and cultures from some 50 countries. Through all its qualifying levels, the program engages more than 40,000 young people globally.

TLab—Travel and Learn Abroad

Study in the United Kingdom for an unforgettable immersive experience! Live and learn on the famed campuses of Oxford and Edinburgh or discover Shakespeare in the context that brought his works to life — exploring his hometown in Stratford or performing on the stage of the Globe Theatre in London.

Shakespeare Writing Competition

This program is designed for students who express their love of Shakespeare through creative and analytical writing. It will consist of competitive and non-competitive writing events for high school students.
Get in touch with the Charlottesville Branch
Contact Us
Support Us

Donate to support the Charlottesville Branch

The ESU Charlottesville Branch is always grateful for your kind donations of any amount. The English-Speaking Union of the United States Charlottesville Branch LLC is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. All information is kept confidential.

Donate now