For hosts · Host a language café. The free kit.

Host kit: table tents, level cards and house rules

Print, fold, put on the table. Twenty language tents, seven level cards, one page of house rules, a 90-minute run sheet and a short guide to starting your own evening. Free, no sign-up.

Language tents

Print on A4, cut along the solid lines and fold each strip on the dashed middle line. The top half is upside down on purpose: both sides of the table can read it. The flag is only a hint; many languages are spoken in many countries.

EnglishEnglish

EspañolSpanish

FrançaisFrench

DeutschGerman

ItalianoItalian

PortuguêsPortuguese

РусскийRussian

中文Chinese (Mandarin)

日本語Japanese

한국어Korean

العربيةArabic

TürkçeTurkish

NederlandsDutch

PolskiPolish

УкраїнськаUkrainian

हिन्दीHindi

SvenskaSwedish

ΕλληνικάGreek

עבריתHebrew

Tiếng ViệtVietnamese

Level cards

Each guest holds up one card so you can match people. Levels follow the common A1 to C2 scale, in plain words. The last card is blank for your own words.

BeginnerSpeak slowly, please. Short words are great.

BasicsSimple sentences, please. I may ask you to repeat.

Getting byI can chat if you are patient.

ConfidentNormal speed is fine. Tell me if I make mistakes.

FluentLong conversations and idioms are welcome.

Near-nativeTalk to me about anything.

Native

First languageHappy to help you practise.

Your own levelWrite it here: ________

House rules

Read these aloud at the start. Print one copy for the table.

Switch language every 30 minutesHalf the evening in one language, half in the other. The host calls the switch.
Correct gentlyAsk first. Say the right version once, then carry on. No lectures.
No sellingNo pitching products, courses, services or recruiting. This table is for talking.
Everyone is welcomeAny level, any accent, come alone. Beginners are not a burden.
Passing is always fineNobody has to answer a question or share contact details.
Be kind and be on time to leaveListen as much as you talk. When the evening ends, it ends.

Run sheet: a 90-minute evening

One host, one table or two, no equipment. Times are minutes after the start.

0:00 · Open (10 min)Put out the tents and level cards. Welcome each person, ask which language they want and which level card fits.
0:10 · Round one (30 min)Language A. Mixed pairs or small groups of three or four. The host floats and helps quiet tables.
0:40 · Switch and drinks (5 min)Announce the switch. Stretch, order drinks, move to a new seat.
0:45 · Round two (30 min)Language B. Whoever helped before now practises.
1:15 · Open table (10 min)Everyone mixes freely, any language. Each person shares one new word they learned.
1:25 · Close (5 min)Thank the café, say the next date and time, leave on time.

How to start one

Five steps. No budget needed.

Pick a caféChoose a place with a table for six to ten, a calm weekday evening and drinks people can order. Go once and look at the noise.
Ask the ownerVisit at a quiet hour and say what you plan: a small group talking, everyone ordering from the café. Ask for a table or corner and whether a table tent is okay.
Choose a weekly timePick one day and time and keep it every week. Ninety minutes is enough. Same place, same time is what lets people come back.
Tell people where you areShare the time and place with friends, in your neighbourhood and online.
Run it the same way each weekTents out, level cards out, rules read, two rounds, close. Adjust after a month.

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Open data

Find existing events near you in the open Come Alone events feed (JSON, CC BY 4.0): events.json · Feed documentation

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