Opportunities for intermediate and advanced self-access language learners to increase English proficiency are fewer in some Italian regions than others. In Lecce, Puglia, a province in the country’s farthest southern reaches, the informal conversation club “English Practice in Lecce” (EPiL) offers one solution. Established nearly a decade ago, EPiL is a lively social learning space that continues to attract Italians, non-Italian non-native English speakers, and first language English speakers to its weekly gatherings. Membership includes a cross-generational mix of long-term stalwarts and new participants. This article presents preliminary findings from a study of EPiL meetings conducted across four field seasons. It discusses EPiL’s roots, describes typical meetings and practices, and draws from interviews and questionnaire results to suggest reasons for its success. The article proposes that EPiL serves two functions especially well, and that both contribute to its longevity. First, EPiL is a mechanism for high level self-access learners to better their English through discussions of self-chosen wide-ranging topics that sustain their interest. Second, EPiL fosters conditions for multicultural community building to take place while expanding participants’ social networks across linguistic and cultural boundaries.

中文翻译：

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在高级会话俱乐部中建立语言技能和社交网络：莱切的英语练习

在一些意大利地区，中高级自学语言学习者提高英语水平的机会比其他地区少。在该国最南端的普利亚省莱切，非正式对话俱乐部“莱切英语练习”（EPiL）提供了一种解决方案。EPiL 成立于近十年前，是一个活跃的社交学习空间，继续吸引意大利人、非意大利非英语母语人士和母语英语人士参加其每周聚会。成员包括长期支持者和新参与者的跨代组合。本文介绍了在四个田间季节进行的 EPiL 会议研究的初步结果。它讨论了 EPiL 的根源，描述了典型的会议和实践，并从访谈和问卷调查结果中得出其成功的原因。这篇文章提出 EPiL 有两个功能特别好，并且都有助于它的寿命。首先，EPiL 是一种机制，让高水平的自主学习者通过讨论保持他们兴趣的自主选择的广泛主题来提高他们的英语水平。其次，EPiL 为多元文化社区建设创造了条件，同时扩大了参与者的社交网络跨越语言和文化界限。