The English-Speaking Union (ESU) is an organization that operates at the international, national and local branch levels as a nonprofit, non-political, educational organization. Because of its name, which dates back to 1918 when the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth was formed in England (the ESU of the U.S. was founded in 1920),  the impression is sometimes left that the ESU is an "English first" advocate. This is not the case, as will be seen from this and other ESU web sites and publications. These web sites contain general information about the many programs sponsored by the ESU.

The ESU of the United States is affiliated with the ESU of the Commonwealth whose Patron is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose Royal Standard is shown here.

The ESU is represented in more than 50 countries worldwide. The international headquarters is in London, and there are nearly 40 Branches in Great Britain. More than 70 Branches in this country report to the National Headquarters of the English-Speaking Union who can be reached at:

144 E 39th Street,  New York, NY 10016.  Telephone: 212 818-1200. 

E-mail: info@english-speakingunion.org

Other countries with several ESU branches are: Australia (with 5), Canada (8), India (5) and New Zealand (6). There are 40 non-English-speaking countries associated with the ESU.

A brochure is available titled "Linking People through English." It describes the mission of the ESU at the international and national levels in the following words:

"The English-Speaking Union of the United States is committed to promoting scholarship and the advancement of knowledge through the effective use of English in an expanding global community."