We connect you with a virtual partner for weekly English ONE-ON-ONE conversations at NO COST to you.
We create partnerships that give you English language skills, confidence and cross-cultural exchanges.
We provide a safe place to practice speaking English. Our mentors/teachers are all volunteers who understand the necessity and desire to express oneself. We create partnerships that give you both language and cultural skills. |
What We Need To Know
|
Volunteers & Students
|
Who We Are
Multi-cultural people dedicated to your success
Multi-cultural people dedicated to your success
About Miriam Seiden and "Speaking English Together"

I taught ESL for years to adults, teens and grammar school kids in the U.S. and Israel. I left this profession to do other work while teaching voluntarily on the side. I love the English language as well as other languages and cultures.
When I lived in Israel I learned to speak Hebrew. I was in class 6 days a week, half days for 3 months, with other Americans and a teacher who only spoke to us in Hebrew. After class I spent all my time with Israelis, listening to them speak, trying to decipher words and join in the conversations. I listened to Israeli music and watched Israeli TV. This method worked. I became fluent, speaking, thinking and dreaming in Hebrew. That was in the 70’s. I still speak Hebrew!
When the COVID pandemic broke out I needed something purposeful to do. A Mexican Pastor friend posed the question: What do you want to do? I told her I wanted to teach English on Zoom. She asked her Spanish speaking congregation if anyone would like to learn English. I started two weekly classes.
I soon realized that my students needed opportunities to speak with Americans in order to practice the skills they were learning with me. “Speaking English Together” was born and we now have 40 English speaking volunteers matched with students who are growing in their command of the English language, confidence and joy.
I began by asking friends to join me in this endeavor. This program is expanding by word of mouth. Student tells students. Volunteers tell their friends. I do my best to match partners according to their interests and goals. In spite of the ugly pandemic, so many of us are able to participate in the beauty of this program and gain from the experience.
When I lived in Israel I learned to speak Hebrew. I was in class 6 days a week, half days for 3 months, with other Americans and a teacher who only spoke to us in Hebrew. After class I spent all my time with Israelis, listening to them speak, trying to decipher words and join in the conversations. I listened to Israeli music and watched Israeli TV. This method worked. I became fluent, speaking, thinking and dreaming in Hebrew. That was in the 70’s. I still speak Hebrew!
When the COVID pandemic broke out I needed something purposeful to do. A Mexican Pastor friend posed the question: What do you want to do? I told her I wanted to teach English on Zoom. She asked her Spanish speaking congregation if anyone would like to learn English. I started two weekly classes.
I soon realized that my students needed opportunities to speak with Americans in order to practice the skills they were learning with me. “Speaking English Together” was born and we now have 40 English speaking volunteers matched with students who are growing in their command of the English language, confidence and joy.
I began by asking friends to join me in this endeavor. This program is expanding by word of mouth. Student tells students. Volunteers tell their friends. I do my best to match partners according to their interests and goals. In spite of the ugly pandemic, so many of us are able to participate in the beauty of this program and gain from the experience.
Student Testimonials
Lucero / Texas
Being part of this program has been the best opportunity to improve my listening and speaking, I’m very thankful to all the people that work and help to make it possible. All the personnel are very polite and kind. The mentor chosen for me matches perfectly with my hobbies and interests which is wonderful. Now my speaking is much better and it is easier to “think in English”.I’m more confident and the people around me can see my improvement!
It is a highly recommended experience!! |
Carolina / North Carolina
I am very grateful to participate in the “Speaking English Together” program. I am learning more than I have from any other class. I am gaining confidence to express myself correctly. Miriam and my other teachers motivate me to write, read and listen. Sometimes they recommend books, movies and songs which further increases my ability to communicate. I even dream in English now! This program is changing my life for the better.
|
Margarita / New York
Participating in “Speaking English Together” has been an adventure from day one. It has helped my communication with English speaking friends. During class we touch on various subjects and themes and get to know each other. My new friends in the class are incredible. Miriam is always teaching us the best way to communicate and pronounce correctly. We learn idioms and grammar. She encourages us to reach our goals and be accountable for our progress.
|
Erika / North Carolina
I have been studying English with “Speaking English Together” since the pandemic began. I had studied English basics years before but was not able to speak fluently much less start a conversation. Thanks to Miriam’s program, my English has improved phenomenally! I no longer depend on my husband to make my appointments or call the kids’ schools and doctors. I am so much more confident when I speak English as a result of this program. My vocabulary has expanded and I can proudly say that I actually think in English. The volunteers serve with patience and love. I feel so lucky to be part of this group.
Instructor Testimonials
Susan Freeman / New York City, NY
At the beginning of COVID Miriam started teaching ESL classes to adult, Spanish-speaking students. In October of that year she asked me if I would like to work with a woman named Erika to improve her English conversation. I had never done this before but I said, “Why not? This has turned into a totally rewarding, enriching and exciting experience.
Erika and I have been speaking every week for the past six months. She's a wonderful woman who, despite having been in the US for about 15 years did not speak English very well. She is dedicated to improving her English, which in turn has expanded her world here in the US. We have wonderful conversations about anything and everything. Tonight we traded recipes. She works so hard to increase her vocabulary and expand her conversational skills. I have seen great improvement in both areas. She is so grateful and appreciative and a delight to work with.Each time we finish talking, I feel so satisfied, so rewarded for making a difference in her life by giving of myself. It is a truly enriching experience and I am definitely more than thrilled that I said “Why not?" |
Paul Kastner / Delaware
Prior to retiring I had happily mentored and taught hundreds of people in my field of marketing for over 40 years. When Miriam introduced me to the "Speaking English Together" program I was all in. Jackie, a delightful young mother of two who immigrated to the United States and wants to improve her English skills is my conscientious partner. The first time we met on Zoom I realized how difficult it is for her, given her husband and inner circle of family and friends only speak Spanish. Jackie is a student in Miriam's weekly ESL class. Miriam created one-on-one conversational opportunities for her students with native English speakers like me. These hour long chats are open ended with me making gentle corrections in grammar and vocabulary in real time. Jackie welcomes the feedback. I’m even helping her create a set of goals to achieve her hopes and dreams. Contributing to Jackie’s life is so fulfilling. It’s a win-win for the two of us!
|
JoAnna Daum / CaliforniaI love to talk. I use many words each day. It’s easy for me to spend an hour talking with friends, catching up on our lives. Now, talking with someone learning to speak English has been a special conversation all of its own. Miriam's program “Speaking English Together” gives me the opportunity to use my conversational skills to help someone master our English language, bridge cultures and generational differences with the common desire to connect. Miriam has a gift for matching student and tutor. I'm thrilled to be part of helping an English learner with our idiomatic and difficult language while learning so much about her wonderful family and country of origin. These conversations hold a special place for me…in my heart. Fulfilling and rewarding!
|
Susan Ferber / New Jersey
I am so delighted that Miriam asked me to meet with Jackie each week for a conversational hour to help improve her English. She is a remarkable young woman and I am enjoying every minute we spend together.
Her drive and motivation is so impressive and she is now exploring community college and other opportunities for a career. Jackie is inspiring and I see how her enthusiasm will lead to great things for her in the future. |