a gift of freedom
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Ron Samuel
Founder, We Speak English
We learned to walk by walking, maybe the best way to learn to speak English is by speaking English!
DuoLingo Ambassador
OUR EXPERIENCE WITH DUOLINGO
Duolingo is the world’s most downloaded language-learning app, with over 575 million registered users worldwide. Recognizing the impact of our work, Duolingo reached out and invited Ron to become a Global Ambassador, a role designed to promote language learning and community engagement. Before Duolingo went public in July 2021, the platform emphasized learning through real conversation and actively promoted online events that fostered speaking practice.
However, after becoming a publicly traded company, its focus shifted towards profitability. As part of this change, many community-driven initiatives, including live events, were gradually phased out.575
Unfortunately, our program was among the first to be cut.
Despite these changes, Duolingo has been widely recognized for its innovation and workplace culture. It has earned accolades such as Fast Company’s “Most Innovative” title, a spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top Company Culture” list in 2018, and recognition in CNBC’s “Disruptor 50” list in both 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Forbes also named Duolingo one of its “Next Billion-Dollar Startups.”
Our journey with Duolingo reflects both the potential and challenges of large-scale language education. While we value the opportunity to have contributed to its mission, we continue to focus on meaningful, immersive language-learning experiences that put real-world conversation first.
We Speak English
You just cannot go through life without English. Our goal is to get you speaking good English fast. You go to a good school like Wall Street or British. You study your grammar and vocabulary diligently. You pass all your tests. Now it’s time to put it all together.
We Speak English about 16 times a month online. There is almost always a native speaker present. We consider our work critical and humanitarian.
We compliment whatever you are doing to learn English and give you the place to speak English in a relaxed context. DUOLINGO told us that they are aware that combining their APP or formal English lessons with events where people can speak the language is the BEST WAY to learn to speak and understand a language. They are right as we see the improvements in our frequent attendees.
With over 3,000 members from more than 140 countries, our community thrives on connection, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
In December 2024, we embarked on an incredible journey to Istanbul, where we were warmly welcomed by Sameed at the airport. His hospitality set the tone for our adventure, starting with a delightful traditional lunch prepared by his wife, Ebru—an authentic eight course meal, a taste of Turkish home cooking that we will never forget.
That same evening, Hassan introduced us to the vibrant nightlife of Istanbul, taking us to Kumkapi Afrodit Restaurant. The atmosphere was electric, the food was exquisite, and for a moment, we felt as if we had stepped onto the set of a classic Turkish film. The laughter, music, and shared stories made for an unforgettable night.
English is not just a language—it is a pass to the world. In our meetup, you connect with people from all over the globe, truly earning your All Access VIP Pass to the World.
Our travels are not just about visiting places—they are about experiencing the culture, meeting incredible people, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you are joining us for the first time or are a seasoned traveler with our group, we invite you to be part of this extraordinary journey.
Stay connected, explore the world, and immerse yourself in new experiences with us!
There is a whole world out there but you must be able to communicate. We have helped other’s prepare, we can help you too! Don’t let anyone tell you how high you can fly. Impossible is just a ten letter word.
CHALLENGES
SPECIAL ENGLISH EVENTS
Any excuse to get together and speak english is good enough for us, thanksgiving, hiking...
WEEKLY ENGLISH MEETUPS
If we cannot go to the english - we will bring the english to us ... who cares if the grammar is correct or not?