6-week programme · Glasgow

English for Work and Life in Scotland

You speak English. But real life in Scotland can still feel harder than expected.

Maybe you've studied English for years. You can work in English, manage emails and everyday tasks. Then a colleague asks you to join them for lunch. People speak quickly. They use informal expressions and everyday phrases you haven't heard before. You understand some of it, but not enough to feel comfortable joining in. So you stay quiet.

This programme is designed to help people living and working in Scotland understand more of the English they hear around them, join conversations more easily, and feel more connected to life here.

Start date 14 October
Length 6 weeks
Format 5 online + 1 in person event
Beta price £295
Location Glasgow
Book a free 30-minute call
People taking part in a GoGabber programme
Is this for you?

This programme is for you if…

You live and work in Scotland

You already have functional English, but real conversations are still difficult

You struggle with fast speech or informal language

You sometimes stay quiet at work because you're worried you won't understand

You'd like to feel more comfortable speaking with colleagues and people you meet socially

You want to practise the English people actually use in everyday life

You do not need perfect English.

This programme is designed for people who already have English but want more support using it in real situations.

What we'll work on

Built around situations you'll actually face

Joining conversations at work

Move from avoiding informal chats or lunch with colleagues to feeling more able to listen, respond and join in.

Starting conversations and speaking up

Practise approaching colleagues, starting conversations and sharing ideas without waiting for the "perfect" sentence.

Understanding real spoken English

Notice the vocabulary, slang, pronunciation and conversational cues that can make everyday English in Scotland difficult to follow.

Building a life outside work

Practise the language and social skills that help you make plans, join activities, meet people and feel more connected.

How it works

Six weeks, online and in person

You'll get

  • 5 x 90-minute live online group sessions
  • 1 in-person themed event
  • Modules that support each topic and section of the programme, with audio, video and practical materials
  • Examples of real everyday English
  • Useful vocabulary and expressions
  • Cultural context
  • Around 1 hour of independent work each week
  • Small real-life challenges to try between sessions
  • A private alumni group on Facebook

Everyone moves through the programme together, so you'll be learning and practising with the same group each week.

Between sessions

What happens between sessions?

This is not a programme where you just watch videos and hope things improve. Each week, you'll use what you've learned in a small, manageable real-life challenge. That might mean:

Starting a conversation with a colleague

Joining a lunch or coffee break you might normally avoid

Trying a new phrase in conversation

Asking for clarification instead of pretending you understood

Going to a social activity or speaking to someone new

Then we unpack what happened together.

What felt easier? What was difficult? What did you hear that you didn't understand? What could you try differently next time?

In person

The in-person themed event

One of the six sessions take place in person

Get to know the group more naturally

Use English outside a classroom setting

Explore more of the city

Practise communication in real situations

The final in-person session is a social activity where you can use what you've learned in a more natural setting.

Programme dates

Six sessions, October to November

01Wednesday 14 OctoberOnline
02Wednesday 21 OctoberOnline
03Wednesday 28 OctoberOnline
04Wednesday 4 NovemberOnline
05Wednesday 11 NovemberOnline
06Saturday 14 NovemberIn person · Glasgow
Beta programme

The first beta of this programme

Beta price

£295

You'll receive the full 6-week programme at a beta price while helping shape the experience for future groups. Places are limited so everyone gets the support they need.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is my English good enough?
If you can already manage everyday life and work in English but struggle with fast, informal conversation, this programme is likely to be a good fit. You do not need perfect grammar or a large vocabulary before you join. In fact, helping you become more comfortable using the English you already have is one of the purposes of the programme.
What level of English do I need?
This programme is not designed for complete beginners. It's for people who already have functional English but find real-life communication more difficult than classroom English.
Is this an English course?
Yes, but not in the traditional sense. You'll work on listening, speaking, vocabulary and communication skills, but everything is built around real situations you're likely to experience at work and in everyday life in Scotland.
Will you teach Scottish slang?
We'll look at useful informal language, common expressions, pronunciation and cultural references when they help you understand real conversations. The aim isn't to teach you a huge list of Scottish words, it's to help everyday communication make more sense.
I'm nervous about speaking in a group. Is this for me?
Yes. The group is designed to be supportive, and you'll have opportunities to practise in manageable ways. You won't be expected to perform or speak perfectly, but you will be encouraged to participate and try things that may feel slightly outside your comfort zone.
How much time will I need each week?
Alongside the weekly live session, allow around one hour a week for the module materials and practical challenge.
Are all the sessions online?
No. There are four live online sessions and two in-person sessions during the six weeks. The in-person sessions are part of the programme, not additional optional extras.
What happens if I miss a session?
The module materials will still be available to you. Because much of the value comes from live practice and interaction with the group, I'd encourage you to attend as many sessions as possible.
Do I need to live in Glasgow?
The programme is designed for people living in Scotland, and the in-person sessions take place in Glasgow. If you live outside Glasgow, you'll need to be able to travel in for those two sessions.
What will I be able to do by the end?
Everyone's starting point will be different, but you should expect to feel more comfortable joining conversations, understand more of the informal English around you, and have practical strategies for communicating when you don't understand everything. You should also leave with more experience using English in real situations rather than only practising it in a classroom.
Why is this different from a general English class?
Because the programme starts with the situations you're actually facing in Scotland. The language, listening practice, cultural context, live sessions and in-person activities are all designed around helping you participate more confidently in work and everyday life here.