About us
The ESU is an educational charity and a membership organisation. It believes that education forms the strongest links among people by promoting a message of international understanding and human achievement through the widening use of the English language throughout the world.
History of the English-Speaking Union
Founded in 1918 by Sir Evelyn Wrench, the English-Speaking Union (ESU) emerged as a vibrant, inclusive organization aimed at fostering peace and understanding through the unity of English-speaking democracies. Initially open to both men and women—a progressive move at the time—the ESU dedicated itself to enhancing international fellowship and goodwill among the peoples of the USA and the British Commonwealth.
Within six months, the ESU expanded dramatically, boasting a membership of 800 individuals and establishing local branches that would grow exponentially in the years to follow. By 1920, the ESU extended its reach to the United States, formally establishing a division there, and soon after, in 1922, an Australian branch opened in Melbourne.
The ESU furthered its commitment to education and cultural exchange by purchasing Dartmouth House in 1926, which remains its headquarters. This period also saw the launch of significant initiatives like the Walter Hines Page Scholarship in 1923, allowing educators to undertake enriching research trips to the US, and the Secondary School Exchange in 1928, which has provided transformative experiences for countless students.
The onset of World War II saw Dartmouth House become a beacon of support, providing refuge and coordinating war relief efforts, including significant US donations of supplies and the organization of safe passages for British children to America.
Post-war, the ESU expanded its educational outreach, establishing the ESU Debating Society in 1954 and launching impactful programs like “Books Across the Sea” with T.S. Eliot in 1948. The latter part of the twentieth century saw further expansion with the initiation of the International Public Speaking Competition in 1981 and the extension of ESU activities into Eastern Europe following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
In the new millennium, the ESU has continued to innovate educational and cultural exchanges. Programs like Debate Academy and Discover Your Voice workshops have been introduced to engage and support young people from diverse backgrounds. By 2019, the ESU was pioneering debates and public speaking in primary schools across the UK, with a particular focus on enhancing literacy and oracy skills in underprivileged areas.
Discover the whole story here.
The English-Speaking Union – Romania
In 1996, the English-Speaking Union – Romania was registered as a Romanian non-governmental and non-profit organization and was officially launched in 1997 as a branch of the ESU International Organization. Operating as an active and non-political, independent association, it remains fully affiliated with the ESU International organization based in London. The Romanian branch continues to uphold the founding principles of the ESU, promoting international understanding and effective communication across cultures.
Through its century-long journey, the English-Speaking Union has steadfastly promoted dialogue and understanding across cultures, proving that the power of words can indeed bridge continents and unite communities.
ESUs around the world
The English-Speaking Union was founded in the belief that more effective communication between nations would lead to improved global understanding and ultimately, world peace. This belief holds true today and there are currently 54 international English-Speaking Unions spanning the globe from Albania to Yemen.
All International English-Speaking Unions are expected to attend the annual International Council meeting and to organise a public speaking competition in their country, the winner of which attends the IPSC final in London. Many also run additional programmes such as public speaking and debating academies or English language summer schools.
International English-Speaking Unions are guided by the legal constitution, charitable status and general aims of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth (England and Wales), although they operate autonomously and their activities are dependent on local requirements for not-for-profit organisations.
Find out more about the International ESU network here.
Partners
The activity of ESU Romania would not be possible without the help of our sponsors and partners. Our aim is to provide young people with speaking and listening skills in order to thrive.
Our flagship programmes are the National Public Speaking Competition in English, taking place in most counties in Romania since 1996 and the Junior Public Speaking Competition, aimed at students 8 – 11 from Bucharest.
ESU Romania has a wide network of partners across the country which make possible organising the public speaking competition in most counties in Romania.
Our Partners
Our main partner in organising the National Public Speaking Competition in English is the International Computer High School in Bucharest, also host of the Bucharest municipal heat and national semi-finals and finals.
The International British School of Bucharest has been supporting our efforts of improving oracy among Romanian youth since 2013 by hosting the Junior Public Speaking Competition and also by adjudicating the finals of the National Public Speaking Competition in English.
Our Sponsors
