The English Quarter Hour

The English Quarter Hour: 15 Minutes That Change Everything

Remember the “American quarter hour”? That moment when girls would ask boys to dance. Well, the English quarter hour is your chance to invite English into your daily routine — just 15 minutes that can make all the difference.

The idea is simple: a short session with a trainer to practice without pressure. Every day? Perfect. Every other day? Great too!

The key is consistency.

Just like with exercise: it’s better to do short, frequent sessions than an intense workout once a month. Otherwise, beware of burnout — and loss of motivation!

And if you think 15 minutes isn’t enough to make progress, think again: 15 minutes a day adds up to 1 hour and 45 minutes per week. In other words, more than enough to get back into the rhythm (and enjoyment) of speaking English.

Here are three formats to get the most out of this short but powerful time:

1. A natural conversation

Talk about what interests you: a movie, a series, current events, a hobby.

A lively, judgment-free discussion to rebuild confidence and ease in speaking.

2. Reacting to an article

Pick an article related to your industry or your interests.

The idea: pull out useful vocabulary, share your ideas, and have a debate. It’s an excellent exercise to enrich your language and structure your thinking.

3. Professional role play

Meetings, pitches, negotiations, presentations — practice in real situations.

With your trainer, you’ll build confidence for key moments in your professional life.

It’s all about moving from theory to practice, step by step.

And if a short format isn’t enough to get you started?

Even with short formats, the idea of learning a language can feel overwhelming.

In that case, the question might not be “how much time?” but rather “how?”

Here are a few ways to spark motivation:

• Choose the right trainer

Personal connection matters! A great trainer is someone who makes you want to come back. They understand you, motivate you, and help you overcome your blocks without pressure.

• Adapt your training to your personality

Maybe you’re very independent and don’t want to learn with a trainer. In that case, an e-learning format — or learning by yourself using videos or online articles — might suit you better.

Prefer working with a trainer but want a structured, regular program with a clear goal? That’s absolutely possible!

Discover how our onboarding process allows us to create a customized training program for you.

• Clarify your goal and track your progress

Learning to work in English can take many forms depending on your job, your field, and your role. And it’s a whole different story if your goal is personal — like traveling or chatting with your in-laws.

With a clear goal, it’s easier to design a meaningful training path that keeps you motivated — especially if your program includes ways to see and track your progress.

• Build a simple habit

To make progress, consistency is key. Whatever the duration of your lessons, plan for that regularity in a rhythm and time slot that works for you: 15 minutes every morning with your coffee, during your lunch break, or even on your commute home — the simpler it is, the more likely it is to last.

In the end, 15 minutes might not seem like much... but it’s a first step.

And sometimes, one step is all it takes to change everything.

Will you try tomorrow?