Peer Exchange Circles

Overview

EnglishUSA Peer Exchange Circles are designed to promote meaningful professional support, shared learning, and collaborative community building among seasoned leaders in the English language program field. Participants will be grouped with 4–6 peers for a four-month, discussion-based learning cohort.  

Each group will meet monthly (virtually) to explore pressing topics, emerging trends, promising practices, shared challenges, and innovative approaches impacting English language programs and international education.

This initiative reflects EnglishUSA’s commitment to collaboration, collegiality, and practitioner-driven learning—supporting members in navigating change with confidence, creativity, and shared purpose.

Structure & Participation

• Groups will connect once per month for four months.
• Meeting format and length are flexible and determined by the group.
• Conversations may include:
• Operational or strategic challenges
• Opportunities for innovation
• External market/environmental shifts
• Case-study sharing
• Resource exchange
• Peer coaching / problem-solving
• No formal agendas; guiding prompts will be provided by the facilitator to support discussion flow.

Circle Grouping Options

Participants may express a preference to join a circle organized by:

• Institutional or program type
• Geographic region or market focus
• Topic, challenge, or area of strategic relevance

EnglishUSA will strive to match participants based on preference; however, placement cannot be guaranteed.

Participant Expectations

• Commit to attending monthly virtual gatherings for four months.
• Participate actively and respectfully in shared dialogue and resource exchange.
• Contribute to a joint culture of confidentiality, trust, and mutual support.

Logistics Facilitator Role

Each Peer Learning Circle will include a volunteer Logistics Facilitator who helps coordinate communication, meeting planning, and group engagement. This role is intended to support the group—not lead content, teach, or serve as an expert. While the role may be shared or rotated, maintaining consistency for the four-month period is recommended.

Key responsibilities and recommended practices:

• Coordinate scheduling and confirm participant availability
• Set up and confirm virtual meeting platforms
• Invite participants to share backgrounds, contexts, and goals
• Help initiate or guide discussion only when needed
• Create a welcoming, inclusive, and confidential space
• Encourage rotation of brief community-building moments at meetings
• Support balanced participation so all voices are heard
• Encourage closure on shared ideas, action items, or next steps
• Post common resources on EnglishUSA Engage 

Note: This is a peer leadership role—not a content expert or instructor role.