Chinese Language

This month we have a visiting speaker from think-cell, Sebastian Theophil, who will talk to us about error handling in C++26 (with sprinkles of C++23). We also have space for a shorter talk, or lightning talks. If you would like to speak - even for just five minutes, please drop something into cppldn.uk/speak. **think-cell** will also be supporting the group by providing pizza and drinks - thanks **think-cell**! Thanks, also, to **Maven Securities** for hosting us again, this month. **As usual we'll need your full name for the door list, so we'll be asking for this on registration** (as this may be different to your username). This data will only be used for the door list/ registration and not published anywhere or used for other purposes. If you'd like to speak at a future event please get in touch at [cppldn.uk/speak](http://cppldn.uk/speak). **Here's the approximate schedule:** **18:30** *Doors open* **19:00** "Intro and news" - *Phil Nash* **19:10** *"compile_assert - Compile time C++ assertions" - Jonathan Grant* I present compile_assert(expression, message), a new C++ keyword proposal for enforcing assertions at compile time within ordinary (non-constexpr) functions. compile_assert provides advanced asserts at compile time, not runtime. Used for bounds checking, parameter validation and data validation at compile time. All three major compilers (GCC, Clang, MSVC) are supported with a sample implementation. The example implementation does this by using GCC’s attribute error which works with Clang. **19:25** "Compile-Time Data Layout Transformation with C++26 Reflection" - *Arturs Kalnins* We’ll use C++26 static reflection and injection to convert an AoS into a SoA at compile time, live on the latest GCC, with zero macros and zero boilerplate. **19:40** *break* **20:00** "To Err is Human: Robust Error Handling in C++26" - *Sebastian Theophil* A walk through the new error handling features in C++26 — including \`std::expected\`, \`std::stacktrace\`, contracts, and more — and how they can help us write more robust, maintainable code. **21:00** *Conclusion, and moving on somewhere else* \-\-\- **About the speakers** *Sebastian* has been working at think-cell since it was founded in 2002. In the last few years, among many other things, he has ported think-cell to run on macOS. He also maintains the typescripten project, which lets programmers call JavaScript libraries from C++ code compiled to WebAssembly in a convenient and type-safe way. He enjoys leaving his desk from time to time to talk at international C++ conferences. *Jonathan* has been a Software Engineer since 2003, worked in the video games industry and also embedded space for a long time at Renesas in safety critical systems for the automotive sector in C and C++. He also develops bespoke machine learning software in C++. He has a BSc Computer Science and an MSc Software Engineering. *Arturs* is a C++ software engineer with a background in aerospace engineering, where he developed a strong foundation in mathematics and systems thinking. He builds reliable, high-performance systems across embedded software, networking, and distributed platforms, with a particular focus on modern C++ (23/26), Rust, and performance-critical design. He enjoys tackling complex engineering challenges, designing clean abstractions, and contributing to the standards and practices that help teams deliver robust systems effectively.

**Hello there!** Our Face-to-Face Afternoon Classes are back this March in London! Are you learning English as a second language and looking for an opportunity to practise your English? Interested in **free, in-person classes**? We’ve got you covered! Here at **Stafford House,** our teachers-in-training are gaining hands-on experience by teaching enthusiastic English learners. Each lesson is interactive and fun, with plenty of opportunities to practise speaking, meet other learners, and improve your English along the way. We also offer **free online English classes (London and Canterbury)**. Check out our other events for more information! Please see the **updated** details below! 🕑 **When:** From **2nd March - 26th March (4 weeks)** ➡️Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ➡️Fridays 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m 📍 **Where:** Stafford House London, 2 Southampton Place, WC1A 2DA (just 2 minutes from Holborn Station) 📚 **Level: Both levels available** **\- Pre\-Intermediate \(A2\-B1\)** **\- Upper\-Intermediate \(B2\)** Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive **15- 30 minutes early** to secure your spot. We will ask for your name and email upon arrival. *Please note: confirming attendance on Meetup does not guarantee a place in the classroom.* **Please note that class times or dates may occasionally change due to the nature of the course. If this happens, we will inform you by email.** We look forward to seeing you all very soon! Got Questions? send us an email at [teachertraining@staffordhouse.com](mailto:teachertraining@staffordhouse.com)

Hi Everyone, Our next EuroClub French- English conversation evening will be on Thursday 5 March from 7pm at Blooms cafe, Royal National Hotel , Woburn Place. Blooms cafe can be approached from the courtyard of the London Pub, at 39 Woburn Pl, London WC1H 0LW, close to Russell Square underground station. We will be inside the cafe , probably at the far side. We will speak French for the first hour, then English until 9pm. Come along for an enjoyable , friendly evening. It is free to join in but you must buy a drink . Stephen will host this meeting. If you cannot find the group on the day you can call 07498 733466. New people very welcome, especially any french native speakers. You will need a reasonable conversational level in french to join in these meetings **These exchanges are normally every 2 weeks. If you are visiting London you would be very welcome to come along.** **We also have an online French-English exchange , using Zoom, every 2 weeks on Wednesdays which is open for those living outside the UK.** **If you are a french native speaker, eg outside the UK , you would be very welcome to join in the online exchange.** This is a FREE event organised by Euroclub London . Best wishes, David⁸

念佛 NIANFO Buddhist Chanting Meditation Recite the Mantra of Amituofo A simple meditation technique that is the core practice in Pure Land Buddhism. We practice sitting, walking and silent variations of this meditation. Everyone welcome. No need to book. No previous experience necessary. Please email any questions to me: JIARONG@PURE-LAND-BUDDHISM.CO.UK We are located upstairs within the GP surgery.

*This event is supported by [languagecalendars.com](https://www.languagecalendars.com/)* Get **£5 off** their language calendars, posters & tees 👉 use code **HOLA5** or click this link: [https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5](https://www.languagecalendars.com/discount/HOLA5) **🌍 Connecting locals and internationals in London 🌍** Join us every Thursday evening in Tooting for the London Language Exchange, where over 20 people gather each week to practice new languages, share cultures, and make new friends. See pics of our previous events on our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon), and chat to other members who are coming via our [whatsapp group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp/). **🙋 Who is this for?** All languages and levels are welcome, and we are inclusive of all ages, races, religions etc. Whether you're a polyglot, a beginner just starting with Duolingo Spanish, or you just want to come and socialise, you will be welcomed to our community of language learners and international friends. **🙌 What to Expect:** * **Language Practice:** Whether you’re fluent in Spanish, Italian, English, Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, or any other language, our hosts will help you connect with people who match your language interests. * **Friendly Hosts:** Our hosts will greet you at the entrance, give you a label where you can write the language(s) you speak and the ones you’d like to learn or practice. * **Inclusive Atmosphere:** We welcome all languages and levels, and make sure everyone feels comfortable—especially if you're coming alone! It’s a relaxed environment perfect for making new friends and practising languages at your own pace. * **Socialising:** Coming alone or with friends, this is a great opportunity to meet new people in the city. Unlike some other meetup ‘groups’, we do not fill our events with fake members, and you can check how many people attend each week and what languages were practised via our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/babblelondon). **👋 How does it work?** * **Arrive!** No need to register, just come to our event any time between 7-9pm and our event host will welcome you. They will have an orange lanyard and will be sitting next to our sign. * **Write your ‘Language Label’.** Here you can write your name, the languages you are learning, and the languages you can help others with. * **Pay.** Our £1 event fee pays for our lovely event hosts and keeps the event going. Card only please. * **Get talking!** With the help of our host you will be able to find other people attending the event with compatible language interests - we are all very friendly and the majority of our attendees come alone, so there’s no need to worry about getting involved! **📌 Where are we?** We’re normally located on the rooftop of And Then 54a Tooting High St, London SW17 0RN, [Google Maps](https://share.google/MYN7eKkU4k8uFlRKO) However, always check the location on this meetup event and in our [WhatsApp Group](https://languagexchanges.com/whatsapp) just in case there is a change. **💡 Important Info:** Please disregard the attendee numbers shown on Meetup or Facebook. Because we meet at the same time and place every week, many regulars do not sign up beforehand, but we always have a great turnout, often exceeding 50 people. We also have many more participants who join through other platforms. **🔗 Connect With Us:** Stay updated by joining our WhatsApp and Facebook groups or following us on Instagram. You’ll get event updates and stay connected with the community! [https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange](https://linktr.ee/londonlanguageexchange) **FAQ:** **Who is this for?** Anyone interested in languages, from complete beginners to fluent speakers! We welcome all levels and languages. **Do I need to sign up?** You don’t need to sign up, but feel free to join our WhatsApp group for updates and announcements. **Can I come alone?** Absolutely! Many people come solo, and it’s a great way to meet new friends in a relaxed environment. **How does the event work?** When you arrive, you’ll get a sticker to write your native language and the one(s) you’d like to practice. Our hosts will help you find people to chat with based on your preferences. **What if I don’t speak multiple languages?** No problem! Whether you’re fluent or just starting out with a new language, everyone is welcome. **More Questions?** Check out our [full FAQ here](https://languagexchanges.com/what-is-a-language-exchange/) **💛 WHAT THEY SAY** **🗣** “It's so great that people are very friendly and nice here. I practised my English speaking and listening.” - Gerome 🗣 “The language exchange events are a really great way not just to practise languages but also to meet new people in your area. I’ve made many local friends since I moved to the area” - Monika 🗣 “Everything was perfect. The host was so friendly and wonderful!” - Mojtaba 🗣 "It was a lovely language exchange, with lovely people. I practised so much German!" - Sara **About Languagexchanges:** We started in Leeds back in 2014 with the desire to provide a welcoming space that brings people together from all different walks of life, with a shared love of learning languages and culture. We now have communities across the UK including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York - [see all our locations.](https://languagexchanges.com/product-category/events/) 👔 Interested in working with us? [https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/](https://languagexchanges.com/work-with-us/) ✍️ Feedback form: [https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback](https://languagexchanges.com/events-feedback) 📩 Email: [info@languagexchanges.com](mailto:info@languagexchanges.com)

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/43592 **Game Description:** Mixed nationality and gender players play volleyball in our club for 10 years every Tuesday & Thursday from 8pm-10pm in upper intermediate and advance level. **Rules** Respect each other, focused on your own play and progress, be kind and cheer your team mate.

Improve your Mandarin and English while making new friends! Join [Manhattan Mandarin](ManhattanMandarin.co.uk) at the [Jackalope](https://jackalopelondon.com/) in Marylebone - appropriately situated above a Chinese restaurant, [Liu Xiao Mian](https://www.liu-xiaomian.com/). All levels welcome - these are **very casual** meetups where you're welcome to mingle until finding suitable language partners Pop down for noodles or stay outside in the lovely mews, but whatever you do, come ready to chat, make great new connections, and push your language learning forward 🤗🤗🤗 Feel free to bring anything you think will help facilitate language exchange! (games, flashcards) We often provide ice-breaker question sheets just in case you need some help 🤗🤗🤗 Let us know if you need some help mingling You're welcome to try our HSK Classes in Marylebone: [https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/hskclasses](https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/hskclasses) or our Saturday online HSK classes: [https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/onlineclasses](https://www.manhattanmandarin.co.uk/onlineclasses) For more information please contact Harry@ManhattanMandarin.com, 07767260207) Since 2012, with a fantastic team of over 200 native and non-native Mandarin teachers in the US and UK, [Manhattan Mandarin](ManhattanMandarin.com) knows what makes for fun and engaging communication between English and Chinese speakers!

This meetup is open to students of all levels who want to practice conversation in Spanish and English. Beginners will learn and build confidence, while intermediate and advanced students will improve and strengthen their language skills. Hope to see you there!

2nd Sunday of every month, join us for a relaxed and fun language exchange, where meaningful conversations flow as freely as delicious coffee and tea! This isn't just practice; it's **accelerated progress** in a supportive setting, designed to quickly boost your **Mandarin, Cantonese and English** skills. **How We Make It Effective & Enjoyable:** * **Perfect Groupings:** We carefully match you with native speakers and learners at a similar level, ensuring comfortable and productive conversation practice. * **Forget awkward silences!** We provide fun, engaging discussion topics to spark lively chats and keep the conversation flowing. * **Maximise Your Practice:** Rotate between groups if you wish to connect with more people and strengthen your conversation skills! * **Expert Support:** Our experienced tutor is always on hand to help. 👌 **All levels welcome!** Native speakers and learners alike. 💛 Please support the cafe by buying a drink or snack while you are here - they've kindly let us use the space. We can't wait to welcome you! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Take your Mandarin beyond the exchange.** 🤝 If you’re looking for a bit more structure to go along with your conversation practice, let’s chat! We're offering **complimentary 1-on-1 advice sessions** to help you find the perfect learning path. Get a professional assessment of your level so you can study with confidence. **No commitment** required. [Book your Free Session](https://eu.bigin.online/org20070515371/bookings/course-advice) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **China Unbound** is the best place to learn practical Chinese for adults. While most schools prioritise grammar and writing, China Unbound empowers you to confidently communicate in Chinese in real-world situations. Join us and discover a fun, fast, and personalised way to master Chinese! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **🤘 FAQs:** **I'm learning Chinese, are the sessions suitable for beginners?** Yes! Come and speak as much or as little as you like, or just come and listen! There is no pressure! **Are there any discounts for Chinese lessons for members?** Yes, you can use code MEETUP10 for your exclusive £10 discount on our [Chinese courses](https://china-unbound.co.uk/personal/) site-wide! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 每个月的第二个星期天，来加入我们，享受一场轻松又有趣的语言交流体验！在茶香与咖啡的陪伴下，开启一场自然流畅、充满收获的双语对话。 这不仅仅是练习，而是一种更快提升你英语水平的高效方式。我们为你打造一个轻松友好、真正有用的语言环境，让你的口语交流能力飞速进步！ **我们如何让语言交换高效又好玩：** * **精准匹配，聊天不尴尬**：我们用心将你和母语者或相近水平的学习者配对，确保每一次对话都轻松自在又高效实用。 * **话题有趣，轻松破冰**：拒绝冷场！我们提前准备了有趣又实用的聊天话题，让你一开口就停不下来，交流自然顺畅。 * **灵活轮换，提升更全面**：想多练一点？欢迎自由选择是否换组，认识更多人、接触不同语言风格，快速提升真实沟通能力。 * **专业老师现场支持**：我们的资深语言导师会在现场提供实时帮助，确保你在交流中不断进步、有信心开口！ **活动详情：** 🗓️ **时间**：每月第二个星期日 ⏰ **时段**：下午 2:30 - 4:30 💰 **费用**：免费参加 不只是练语言，这里还有文化的碰撞、朋友的陪伴和成长的喜悦。现在就来加入我们，开启你的高效交流之旅吧！ **🤘 常见问题解答：** **我最后会不会一直说中文而一无所获？** -不会，因为我们的“快速聊天”模式鼓励大家用中/英文交换来交流。 **会员有折扣吗？** 有，欢迎你跟你学中文的朋友分享代码**Meetup10**，他们会获得10镑的独家折扣！

### 📅 EVENT DETAILS 📍 **Where:** Aldgate Tower (just outside Aldgate East Station, Exit 1) 🙋 **Who:** Players who already know how to play with scores (not suitable for beginners) ☕ **Included:** Instructur help, free tea, coffee, and unbeatable vibes ## 🀄 WANT TO PLAY MAHJONG REGULARLY? Mahjong is still a niche board game in London — and since it needs **4 players**, it can be hard to organise regular games with just your own friends or family. In many parts of Asia, **Mahjong parlours** bring people together to play. While we’re **not** running a commercial Mahjong club, we *are* here to build a **community**. Many of our players started as complete beginners in our workshops — and now they’re **hooked**! That’s why we created our **🎟️ Just Play tickets**. ### 🌏 DIFFERENT MAHJONG STYLES WELCOME ### 🇭🇰 Hong Kong Style (Main Style) Our main style is **Hong Kong Mahjong**, with a **3 fan minimum to win**.If you know how to play other Chinese styles like **Taiwanese**, **Sichuan**, or **British Mahjong**, you’re still welcome! We’ll provide **scoring cards** to help you adapt. ⚠️ However, these tables are **not suitable for beginners**. If you haven’t yet graduated from Level 1 or Level 2 of our workshops, or if you don’t know how to score, please join our learner workshops first to build confidence. ### 🇯🇵 Japanese Riichi (Growing Community) Riichi Mahjong is **new to our community**, but we love its fast pace and strategic complexity!If you already know how to play Riichi — \*\*amazing! Please join us.\*\*If you play Chinese Mahjong and want to try Riichi, one of our instructors or friendly regulars might help, but we **can’t guarantee full teaching support yet**. You're welcome to learn by playing alongside others. ### 🇺🇸 American Mahjong (New Community in 2026) We’re excited to add **American Mahjong** to our offerings. It’s quite different from Chinese Mahjong, so we’ll run newbie workshops and regular Just Play sessions from 2026. **Note**: Just Play bookings require solid prior knowledge of American rules. However, we encourage cross‑style learning, so if you already know one style of Mahjong, learn another with us, so you can play at any table. ## 💷 OUR BEST PRICE PROMISE We’re doing our best to keep **Just Play tickets affordable** for a 2-hour session — that’s our **best price promise**. 🙌 Unlike clubs that charge entry or venues that require a minimum spend, our ticket price covers only what’s needed: venue, staff, admin cost. And yes — with a booked ticket, **YOU ARE GUARNATEED A SEAT AT THE TABLE**, and we also provide **free tea, coffee**, and the occasional **festive treat**. ☕🍪 We're not a charity, but we are **deeply committed** to creating a welcoming Mahjong community. 💛 Your support helps us keep the tiles clicking, and we love seeing familiar faces return week after week! ## 📱 JOIN OUR MAHJONG WHATSAPP COMMUNITY Stay connected with fellow players in our friendly WhatsApp group — a space to ask questions, get updates on upcoming events, and even arrange private games outside of our Saturday sessions. It's the easiest way to stay in the loop and grow your Mahjong circle! [LINK HERE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IQXv3nGfbeMCfvI6HsGjfZ "https://chat.whatsapp.com/IQXv3nGfbeMCfvI6HsGjfZ") **Important Notes** 1. Each attendee must be registered to our building in addition to the meetup ticketing. If you book two tickets, we will need both individuals’ full names and email addresses for registration. 2. On **the same week**, you will receive an email from "Aldgate Tower" with your **building entry invitation**. This email includes a **unique visitor QR code**, which you’ll need to scan at the ground floor speed gates. Then, head straight up to the **6th floor**, where we’ll be ready to welcome you. 3. Please check your **spam or junk folder** if you don’t see the email. Still nothing? Send us a message / whatsapp us on +44 7423 755734 , and we’ll assist you promptly.

This event is 2:30 - 4 pm Sunday. Conversation tends toward intermediate/advanced, but everybody is welcome. If you come and don't see us right away, keep looking. We could be anywhere in the restaurant.

Join us for a Japanese Book Fair + Ramen Meetup! We’ll browse the used Japanese Book Fair together at Yokoso Center, then head next door to Tensuke Ramen from 5–6 PM to enjoy ramen and other Japanese dishes. After we eat, we’ll hang out and play a few casual games. Come for books, stay for food and community, open to all!

Inspired by our successful events like "Saturday Mornings @ East Market" and other "Pot Luck in the Park" lunches, this gathering promises to be a blend of fun conversations, language exchange, and cultural insights, all while sharing wonderful foods with each other. Please bring a dish to share and anything you would like to drink. We will provide plates, plastic silverware and napkins. So, come hungry and ready to chat!

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

Hey Everyone! Let's meet at Belle's Bread Bakery and Cafe. There is lots of free parking and easy access to the cafe and many shops and restaurants as well. This is a great way to meet new and old friends while chatting about life and practicing English language speaking skills. All are welcome and encouraged to join us anytime between 11am and 1pm. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Come out to Improving for our monthly iOS and Mac meetings. This Month's Presentation: Nothing yet. (You should volunteer). What is Cocoaheads (http://cocoaheads.org/)? CocoaHeads is a group devoted to discussion of Apple Computer's Cocoa Framework for programming on MacOS X and iOS (including the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch). During monthly meetings, members present on their projects and offer tutorials on various programming topics. What is BuckeyeCocoa (http://buckeyecocoa.org/)? BuckeyeCocoa is a group of Objective-C/Swift developers/enthusiasts. We host monthly Cocoaheads and near-weekly NSCoder meetings in Columbus, Ohio. The meetings are free to attend. Presentations! Presenters welcome! We are always in need of people willing to present material. Any Swift and/or Objective-C related topic is welcome. Times can be 5 minutes (i.e. lightning talks) to a maximum of 2 hours. Interested? Contact info is on the BuckeyeCocoa website. To volunteer for a presentation contact us at @BuckeyeCocoa on Twitter. Follow us on Twitter! @BuckeyeCocoa (https://twitter.com/#!/Buckeyecocoa/) For more information: http://buckeyecocoa.org/

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia