Hong Kong’s largest language group brings people together, to learn over coffee
Organiser of exchange meet-ups, which draw members from around the world, says many of them ‘want to talk to others outside of their comfort zone’
When Hong Kong-born, Canada-raised Chad Kwong moved back to the city in 2012 he found it “hard to find a place to slow down and appreciate one another”. So began Coffee Break Language Exchangein 2014, now Hong Kong’s largest language group on Meetup.com, a site that brings together people with similar interests.
Around 30 people from all over the world meet for two hours each Sunday evening to practise foreign languages, organised by Kwong into small groups of varied ability.
Kwong, who is studying for a postgraduate diploma of education at the University of Hong Kong, estimated 80 per cent of members are regulars.
“People don’t have to come every single week. Usually they come once every two weeks, once a month. Or even once a year some who are visiting Hong Kong remember the event is still there, I am still there,” he said.
Members are mainly “working people, and sometimes retired university lecturers who want to pick up a new language or meet new people,” he said.
“Because they know a lot of people within their circle but want to talk to others outside of their comfort zone,” he added.