The HUB
🌎 Your community
👩🏻🏫 Your English language expert
📈 Your opportunities for lifetime growth of your speaking skills
The HUB is your one-stop place to grow your skills
so that you can speak English confidently and effectively.
Do you feel like your speaking skills would soar if you had more support and guidance?
If so, The HUB is for you!
Ask questions in the community 24/7.
Join live weekly sessions with an expert communication coach.
Watch the past lessons and browse the resources you need for help speaking English more effectively and confidently.
Inside you'll get:
The Zoom link to our weekly live calls
Twice-monthly group lessons based on HUB members' needs
Live speaking practice sessions, both structured and unstructured
Membership to our WhatsApp community for your questions and support between calls
Learning journey map to get started on what you most need, whether it's pronunciation, job interview preparation, presentation skills, fluency and confidence, vocabulary building, small talk and conversation skills, or learning and mindset
Recordings of previous lessons and resources that you can access 24/7, including a 42-page word game book and Vocab 180--a system for growing your vocabulary
Click Below for Access
Because you have unique needs, a membership suits you.
You've taken English classes. You learned how to read, write, listen, and speak.
Years later, as you work towards climate solutions, you find yourself speaking in English with more people than you ever have.
And for the most part, you make yourself understood. After all, you could not have gotten to where you are today without your speaking skills!
Yet, you know you can do better.
Perhaps you are tired of being asked to repeat yourself. Maybe it takes you a little too long to find the words you need to express yourself. And sometimes, you get really frustrated when you know that you have misspoken, but you aren't sure in what way.
Maybe it's while talking with a colleague or client. Perhaps it's when you are reporting to the big boss. Or it could even be when you are giving a presentation or interviewing for a job.
You know what you need to say, but it just doesn't come out.
You rub your forehead, willing the right words to come to mind--they are in there! This is really baffling because you understand most everything you read...
Later, you might even wonder privately about the opportunities you have missed because your English speaking skills are not as good as you'd like them to be.
So, what can you do to change this situation?
You know you don't have time to take classes at a local English language academy.
Besides, they will probably give you homework that you don't have time to do on topics you don't find useful. You swore those classes off the last time you had to memorize a grocery list of vocabulary and write an essay detailing your stance on smoking in public places.
You need something that will work for your busy work schedule.
You want to learn techniques that are immediately relevant and practical.
And you need personalized attention and community camaraderie to see it through.
That's where the E4S HUB comes in.
The group coaching sessions are driven by HUB community member requests on any kind of speaking topics from practice, to techniques, to mindset.
For example, you can request to practice and get feedback on a pitch, conquer the /r/ and /l/ sounds, learn techniques to allow you to control conversations, and tackle your self-doubt.
You'll know the HUB schedule for calls from month to month and can join via Zoom without wasting time commuting. If you cannot attend, you can still submit a coaching request and watch the recording afterwards.
Between calls, set your goals and ask your questions in our community WhatsApp group. We'll check in with you and help you stay on track.
And if you want to go further, you can join English for Sustainability courses with your VIP discount.
Language learning and speaking is a marathon. You need someone who will help you train as you change and your situations change, no matter what stage you are at or how far you want to go.
You finally have the opportunity to work with a professional who will guide you to the next level so that you can speak more effectively and confidently.
If people tell you that you speak well and you don't believe them...
You need to build your self-confidence.
Request a mindset activity on confidence building for an upcoming group coaching call.
When you speak confidently:
🗣️ People will more easily believe you and trust you.
🗣️ You can focus your energy on the task at hand.
🗣️ You may even sleep better at night since you aren't beating yourself up or replaying your mistakes.
If you want to take control of conversations and command audiences...
You need speaking techniques.
Request something you struggle with for an upcoming coaching call, like starting a conversation, changing topics smoothly, sharing opinions, or speaking in an engaging way.
When you control conversations and command audiences:
🗣️ You may be recognized for your leadership.
🗣️ You can engage people on topics that are important.
🗣️ Your career options broaden and possibilities for promotion can increase.
If you want to speak and be understood the first time...
You need to fine-tune your pronunciation.
Request more information and practice on something specific you struggle with for the next group call, whether it is a particular sound, word rhythm, tone of voice, or group of words.
When you speak clearly and effectively with predictable rhythm and nuance in your tone:
🗣️ Your conversations can go deeper because you'll spend less time repairing miscommunication or avoiding certain words.
🗣️ You won't have to repeat yourself so much.
🗣️ You may be included in more conversations and decisions.
Start Your Learning Journey Immediately
About the Instructor
Dr. Lara Wallace has the knowledge and nearly 2 decades of experience to help you level up.
The global language of sustainability is English.
But what happens when people working in multinational organizations are unprepared to communicate?
Dr. Lara Wallace began English for Sustainability in 2020 to help people communicate more effectively and confidently. Through her content, courses, and coaching, she has helped her clients perform confidently in presentations, make themselves understood when collaborating on multinational teams, earn promotions, and more.
With over 3 years of focusing on sustainability professionals and enthusiasts and more than 15 years of experience teaching graduate students at the university level to communicate effectively for a variety of audiences through speaking, presenting, and technical writing, her expertise in pronunciation pedagogy allows her to pinpoint and address communication barriers that clients can overcome by following a systematic approach that is immediately applicable to workplace communication.
Lara is dedicated to empowering you to speak up for yourself, your community, and the planet.
With your membership to the HUB, you have the guidance and resources to take your speaking skills to the next level.
Join The HUB, English for Sustainability's monthly membership.
You are in the driver's seat--you're in control of how far and fast you want to go.
This is your chance to ask questions and request what you need to succeed so that you can speak confidently and effectively.
You can follow our study plans to deepen your skills in pronunciation, job interview preparation, presentation skills, fluency and confidence, small talk and conversation skills, vocabulary building, and mindset for learning and speaking.
Send your coaching request, have next-business day access to our WhatsApp group, and mark your calendar for the group calls. Are you ready?
Click below for immediate access to the coaching call recordings and the E4S Library for less than $39 USD per month.
Still deciding?
$250 of coaching calls per month
$400 worth of support in our community
$1,000+ of recordings and resources
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(Not $137 per month) ONLY $37 monthly!
Your monthly rate is locked in forever, and you can cancel anytime.
Here's What People Are Saying About Lara Wallace and E4S
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes The HUB different from other English courses or programs?
On its surface, the weekly live meetings, recordings of past lessons, and activities might seem like just another English class, but don't be fooled.
Rather than following a set curriculum that might not be useful to you, the HUB offers speaking opportunities, lessons, and community support based on the expressed needs of its members. Before the weekly live meetings, HUB members make requests or share current struggles in our private community.
As a pronunciation and speaking expert with over 20 years of experience, Lara then designs lessons to address the spoken needs. This bottom-up approach ensures that if you have a specific request, you will get support.
As well, the context in which we practice pronunciation, presentation skills, specific grammar points, and other tasks all relate to sustainability. So, when you join, introduce yourself and your area of interest, and you will find relevant situations and vocabulary arise in our lessons.
Here’s what HUB members say about how the HUB stands out:
“Online class with a native speaker”
“We can ask Lara questions in the WhatsApp group, which usually isn’t an option to have access to the teacher outside of class, and can request topics.”
“When you already know the basics, it’s really cool to request what we need for the lessons and practice activities”
“First aid! Whenever we have a question, we quickly drop it in WhatsApp and get a response from Lara or someone else.”
Because of the regular practice and support, HUB members become confident and fluent.
How will The HUB help me speak more confidently in my job?
Through a combination of learning and practice, you will speak more confidently at work.
Join the weekly live calls to build your fluency and learn strategies and techniques for effective communication.
Watch recordings of past lessons, and use the resources available in the HUB–look for study guides to help.
Participate actively in the WhatsApp group for practice, feedback, and to get answers to your questions.
The better effort you put in, the faster you will see results. This is how HUB members grow their confidence with speaking at work, whether they work remotely or live in an English-speaking country.
How soon can I expect to see improvements in my speaking skills?
Practice makes fluent.
If you mindfully follow a plan for consistent practice, you will begin seeing results quickly.
With the lessons, you can immediately implement the strategies for fast improvement.
If you seek feedback from Lara on the calls or in the WhatsApp group, you’ll know quickly whether you are on the right track.
In short, the better and more consistent the effort, the sooner you will see results.
The HUB members who prioritize attending weekly live calls, participate actively in the WhatsApp community, and practice daily find themselves improving quickly.
Is The HUB suitable for people who work full-time?
Many HUB members have full-time jobs. Those who have flexibility in their work schedules are able to take an hour per week for our live calls. If you are unable to attend live, you can watch the recordings of the lessons on your own time. As long as you can do that and participate in the WhatsApp community, the HUB is suitable.This flexibility and ability to access content 24/7 and get answers and feedback is what helps busy people like you to improve their English.
How do I cancel my HUB membership?
Your HUB membership is automatically charged monthly to the original card you used for the transaction, usually on the same date each month. To cancel your membership, it’s easy. Just contact Lara by email (lara@english4sustainability.com) 7 business days before your membership is set to renew.
Allow 7 business days to process (for faster service, write “HUB cancellation” in the subject line). Lara's email address is lara@english4sustainability.com .
You will receive a reply to your email the next business day to confirm. If you do not receive a reply, reach out via WhatsApp in case your message landed in spam.
What if I’m shy or nervous about speaking in English?
It is normal and natural to be shy when speaking another language! In other words, you are not alone.
Remember, the only person you are competing with is yourself, so be kind to yourself.
It’s better to speak and make mistakes than to miss out on practice.
The best way to overcome shyness is by practicing. During the conversation calls, you will have the opportunity to speak in small groups or 1:1 with other people. As you get to know other HUB members and as you grow your vocabulary, it will get easier.
Just remember–everyone in the HUB is intelligent, no matter whether they can express themselves as well as they would like in English.
Practice makes fluent. Everything gets easier with practice and experience–especially speaking.
HUB members know that Lara celebrates mistakes--mistakes are learning opportunities. So go ahead! Make them. We will thank you.
How can I make the most out of my membership in The HUB?
The HUB is your place for spoken English support. If you already have the basics of grammar, a large enough vocabulary to make yourself understood, and can understand 85% of what Lara says, then you are in a good place to get the most out of the HUB!
By following these steps sincerely, you will speak English more confidently and effectively:
Set a personal, meaningful goal for yourself, and be specific. What do you want to achieve with better spoken English? Ask yourself: Why is that? Ask again: Why is that? And again: why is that? Dig deep to find your WHY and keep it in mind.
Prioritize live attendance to our weekly calls. Mark them in your calendar with the link for easy access.
Participate actively in the calls and the WhatsApp community.
Help set lesson and conversation topics based on your needs.
Start conversations or practice in the WhatsApp community.
Follow the map to start your learning journey, watching past lesson recordings and implementing the suggested tools and resources.
Celebrate your successes and share your questions.
Ask for feedback.
Try other English for Sustainability classes to go deeper in a given topic.
Do I have to participate in every coaching session, or can I just watch the recordings?
Good news! You are not taking the HUB as a class for a grade, so you can do whatever you want.
The lessons are recorded. You can watch those later and participate in the WhatsApp group for practice or to ask questions.
The conversation calls, however, are practice-oriented. If you miss those, you miss out on practice. If you are already fairly fluent, missing conversation calls likely won’t affect you much, insofar as your English progress is concerned.
If you have joined the HUB to improve your fluency, speak more confidently, and get practice, it’s important for you to attend these calls. Practice makes fluent.
How are lesson topics decided?
Topics can be proposed by HUB members and Lara.
When you suggest them, base them off of the needs you identify in your personal language learning journey, questions you have, or in preparation for upcoming experiences.
During lessons and conversation calls, Lara will often suggest related topics–make note of them to suggest if you are interested.
You can suggest topics in the WhatsApp group at any time.
If no such request has been shared, look in the WhatsApp group for a message several days before the next live lesson where you can vote on a general topic (e.g., pronunciation, presentation skills, job interview skills). You can share what you would like to work on specifically when voting, or once Lara asks in the WhatsApp community.
Dr. Lara Wallace then creates a lesson based on what she has heard from participating HUB members and how HUB members are speaking.
In this way, lessons and practice topics are relevant to the current needs of its members.
What happens during the speaking practice sessions?
Each month, we have two different speaking practice sessions: one for HUB members only (Coffee Club) and one for anyone who cares to join (Conversation Club).
During Coffee Club, HUB members talk some as a group and spend most of the time in breakout rooms with one or two other HUB members at a time in two or three separate conversations.
These calls are mostly for free conversation–this is where HUB members get to know each other. Oftentimes, we also have practice opportunities based on the previous lesson or what HUB members have requested.
These are laid-back, fun opportunities to speak with people from around the world, and to get feedback from Lara when requested or as needed.
E4S (English for Sustainability’s) Conversation Club, currently hosted on Meetup, is open to anyone from around the world who would like to practice speaking in a safe environment.
Conversations are based on a sustainability-related topic (often suggested by HUB members).
There are two or three separate conversations that hour with different people on that same topic in breakout rooms of two to three people.
This repetition of a topic with set questions to practice with different people gives you plenty of practice learning and using new vocabulary, and sharing ideas with people from many countries.
Can I request help with specific pronunciation problems I have?
Yes! Not only can you, but you should. Just make your request in our WhatsApp community.
How does the WhatsApp community work, and how active is it?
The WhatsApp group is where the HUB community finds support between live calls so that you can get answers to your questions, practice, and get feedback. It’s also for sharing your successes in your language learning journey!
When you sign up for the HUB, you will find the link to access our WhatsApp group in the HUB website. Look for an "Access Granted" email with your log in details (check your spam folder if you haven't received it within 10 minutes of purchasing your membership). Once you login, you will find directions for logging in in the Onboarding section.
Make sure you read the directions carefully for our community rules and setting your notifications.
You can post whenever you want. Lara will reply the next business day (usually much sooner than that). HUB members reply when they want and to what they want.
At the time of writing this answer, there are usually about 2 or 3 HUB queries or comments a day.
What kinds of people join The HUB – is it right for my level and goals?
The HUB is for people who have already learned the basics--basic vocabulary, grammar, listening, and pronunciation.
It's primarily for intermediate and advanced learners who want to focus on their speaking and pronunciation skills. You might have an upcoming presentation, job interview, or duties where you must communicate in English.
It's for self-starters--people who are not afraid to ask for what they want and to ask questions.
It's for people willing to do the work--to practice, to participate in the live sessions and the WhatsApp group.
It's for people who understand that the only way to build skills is through learning, practice, and feedback.
The mission of the HUB is to amplify the voices of people working or advocating for climate solutions. While it is not necessary to be studying or employed in a sustainability-related job, we hope that you at least try to live lightly on the planet in your way.
Some members are looking for work, others are leveling up their careers, and still others are studying at a university.
Members tend to be in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.
Do I need any special software or equipment to join the group calls?
Yes. Everything in the HUB is online, so a strong Wi-Fi connection is necessary. This enables you to access the HUB 24/7 (whenever you like), to suit your schedule.
Live calls take place over Zoom. You will need to connect from a place where you are able to speak and listen--preferably somewhere without interruptions. If you are connecting somewhere where other people are talking, you will need headphones with a microphone.
Zoom is a free app that you can download to an electronic device or access using your web browser.
Our community is on WhatsApp. To participate, you will need to download this free app.
The HUB website is accessible through your web browser, and it is possible to download the English for Sustainability app--you will be prompted to do this if you sign into the HUB from your mobile device.
Is there a set schedule for weekly lessons and conversation calls, or do they change each month?
Weekly live calls take place on the same day at the same time each week (announced in the Eastern time zone, following the US daylight savings times, which might happen on different dates in your country).
Any schedule changes are announced well in advance.
This consistency helps you to put the live calls in your calendar since you know what time they are each week.
You can find the schedule in the HUB site once you are a member. Until then, ask Lara which days and times the meetings are.
Can I get personalized feedback on my speaking skills?
There are opportunities to get feedback on your speaking skills both during live calls and in the WhatsApp community.
Knowing what you do well and where you need to improve is essential to boosting your speaking skills.
Lara will give feedback related to the task at hand, and will make corrections when there is a danger of misunderstanding what you said. Otherwise, she will not correct you since making mistakes is part of the process of gaining fluency (when people are corrected too often and for tiny details, it can be very discouraging, having the opposite effect of impeding fluency). Giving and receiving feedback is a balancing act, and what is helpful varies from person to person. So, if you would like more feedback than you're getting, please ask Lara, and let her know on what you would like feedback.