The Thinking Folk project introduced Socratic dialogues as a pedagogical construct to develop critical thinking skills by drawing on the lived experiences of learners in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. The resulting conversations were soon described as "real" talk by learners, which, in a process that not only developed the authentic use of the English language but also enabled them to recognise the common bonds that make us all human. The project led to a curriculum rethink and a commitment to dialogical and participatory learning activities aimed at giving participants the opportunity to develop their English fluency, whilst finding commonality and meaning in their own and others' experiences.