Chinese Language

**This is a the final chapter of our longform Tuesday-night reading group on China. If you didn't get to the first meetings, don't worry - come along anyway!** This time, we're finishing with chapter 4 , ***Ruination.*** Find the text here: [https://chuangcn.org/journal/one/sorghum-and-steel/4-ruination/](https://chuangcn.org/journal/one/sorghum-and-steel/4-ruination/) \-\-\-\- About the China Study Group: What can we learn from the Chinese Revolution? That's the question we'll seek to answer as LMRG brings the heat to you once again, now on Tuesday nights, with our all-new China Study Group. In this long-form reading series, we'll meet monthly for in-depth discussion of a series of texts on China, its revolution, the socialist market economy, and more. As the [New Cold War](https://thetricontinental.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/20221107_MR-NCW_EN_Web.pdf) heats up, it's never been more important to learn what we can about the country which the US, UK and EU have all described - following the [American phrasebook](https://www.gmfus.org/news/china-systemic-rival-systemic-threat) \- as a "systemic rival"\. For the first set of meetups within this series, we'll be tackling *Sorghum and Steel: The Socialist Developmental Regime and the Forging of China* by the [Chuang](https://chuangcn.org) collective. Chuang is an independent, autonomous collective of anti-authoritarian Chinese communists and labour activists whose work provides a rare opportunity for English readers to get vital detail on historical and contemporary dynamics within Chinese society from a materialist, communist, and crucially - balanced perspective. *Sorghum and Steel* will provide our Study Group with an essential foundation in Chinese history to equip us going forward. Throughout this series, we'll give equal space to a wide variety of sources, from anti-authoritarian Chinese communists opposed to the contemporary Politburo to members of Xi Jinping's own ideological brain-trust. We'll dig deep into elements of the Chinese revolutionary experience such as the CPC's localist co-operative economics of the Civil War period, the forgotten grass roots of the Cultural Revolution, the *Boulan Fazheng* period and China's rejection of "shock therapy" as seen in the USSR, and the theory underpinning China's recent turn away from the liberal economics of the 2000s. Take care everyone and happy reading!

Ping Pong is all about Beer, Bragging rights and making Buddies! Come along to the Ping Pong Social at Bounce Shoreditch to unwind, meet likeminded people and of course show off your whiff whaff skills! This event is crafted to serve both serious Table Tennis players with lots of challenges & tournaments, as well as the social players with tailor made games for singles, couples, colleagues & friends. With music playing and drinks flowing you will be able to choose from a variety of creative and quirky games including Ping Pong Tournaments, Social Doubles, Round Pong, Weapon Pong etc. There will be prizes for winners that include bottle of Prosecco & Medals and free entry to future events. We are usually by tables 15,16, 17 this is where you should meet us. However, if we change the tables or if you can't find us for whatever reason, please call/text host Vin and/or ask at reception for us, and you will be directed to us. Experience includes: \~ 4 Hours of Ping Pong Entertainment Tournament for Beginners, Intermediates, Experts (Prosecco for the Winner) \~ Quirky Social Ping Pong games with Fancy Prices for beginners \~ Fun Vibe to socialise in UV lit up exclusive Ping Pong venue FREE entry to our next Beer Pong event for winners

Our next English Conversation Café will be on **Monday 16th March 2026 at** **7:30pm**! Topic for the evening: To be confirmed You will have an opportunity to practice your English and meet new people, through conversation topics and games. This event is mainly for learners of English, so we kindly ask native speakers to give priority to others. The venue is **downstairs** in Costa Coffee, 3 Southwark St, London SE1 1RQ which is a 1 minute walk from London Bridge Station. This is a **free** event, you will not be expected to pay for anything. You will also be able to have a free drink and cake. The café is run by a group of volunteers from [The Globe Church](https://www.globe.church). Please sign up if you would like to attend. If you have any questions please ask us using Meetup. Numbers are limited so please only sign up if you are going to come and change your response if you can no longer come. Look forward to seeing you soon 😊

**FREE TO MEMBERS - SIGN UP WHEN YOU ARRIVE!** **• What we'll do** We will have 2 Portuguese speakers that will be bringing a little bit of Brazil to the class. It is a very informal conversation - not as if you were in a school - more conversational and listening. **• What to bring** Bring a pen and a notebook! **• Important to know** We are volunteers and just love teaching people Portuguese! To reserve your spot please call/message Isabelle 0 7542 547792

**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)

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/46285 **Game Description:** 🧡Come and join us for a casual friendly & social badminton session in Archway. This venue consists of 4 courts in total. 🚨Directions🚨 📍Enter via Thornbury Square road and walk all the way downhill. (Note: you won’t be able to enter through the school!) 🚶‍♂️10 minute walk from Archway or Highgate tube stations (Northern Line) 🚗 Free car parking on site 🚿 Showers, changing rooms, water fountain & toilets are available in **Rules** 🏸The session is for mixed ability players so please be positive and encouraging to all players. We highly encourage you to read the rules for classic doubles prior to the session so we can run the games smoothly. 👯‍♀️We play doubles for the whole time and keep rotating courts so everyone gets to play with each other. We use Yonex Mavis 300 Nylon Shuttle cocks. We also have a few spare rackets.

All levels are welcome and a great way to share knowledge, practice your Mandarin or English, socialise and make friends. Games that help to develop linguistic skills are very welcome, such as flash cards, cross words, puzzles, scrabble and bananagrams etc. More than 2 guests are welcome. Nearest Tube stations: • Goodge Street Station • Tottenham Court Road Free event (But you should buy a drink to keep the pub happy 😊) For more information please contact Alistair.

# ❄️ LEAF Gathering Hello LEAF (London East Asians & Friends) family! It's time for our monthly gathering, and this time we're cozying up in a warm pub for a lovely winter get-together. Join us for an evening of good company, laughter, and the chance to connect with fellow East Asians in London! \*\* Who's Welcome\*\* This event is open to all LEAF members and friends. Remember, LEAF is primarily for those with strong ties to East Asia: * People with East Asian heritage or roots * Those born or raised in East Asian countries * Individuals who have lived extensively in East Asia * Friends and family members of the above We welcome everyone with East Asian connections, regardless of gender, age, or sexuality. \*\* New to LEAF?\*\* If this is your first event with us, don't worry! We're a friendly bunch and always happy to welcome new members. Look for the group with East Asian faces on our reserved floor! Feel free to approach anyone and introduce yourself – we don't bite! Please say hello to any of the organisers and we will be happy to introduce you to other people. Welcome to join anytime, don't worry about being late;-) We can't wait to see you all there! Let's create some wonderful winter memories together!

Welcome to our 2nd meetup in the year of the horse. If you are attending please click the "attend" button and register your interest. If you are a Cantonese learner why not pre-prepare a story to be recounted in Cantonese. About something that you have experienced. It's a great way for you to practice speaking, learn new vocabulary and for the group to get to know you. We always have mother tongue speakers who can help you refine your efforts. ``` 特別歡迎母語係廣東話嘅人。 ``` Any questions or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact us!

### 📅 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) 💷 **Price:** £15 for 2 hours of Just Play ☕ **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 (New 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. ## 💷 OUR BEST PRICE PROMISE We’re doing our best to keep **Just Play tickets affordable at £15** 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.

### **Beginner to Mahjong?** Mahjong is a **timeless tile-based game** that has been played across Asia for over 300 years and is now gaining global popularity. Unlike poker, where you recognise the cards instantly, **Mahjong requires learning the tiles and rules before you can play**—and that’s where many beginners struggle. We’ve often heard how friends and family don’t always have the patience to teach every detail, and after hours of trying, beginners still **feel confused about the game**. That’s why **Dear Asia Mahjong Workshops** are here to help! ### **Why Learn With Us?** **We’re Professional Teachers** – We understand how people learn best and have designed two **step-by-step workshops** that makes Mahjong easy and engaging.**Mahjong is More Than a Game** – It’s a vital part of Asian social culture, and **Dear Asia London**, as a language and culture school, is passionate about sharing these traditions with you. ### **Ready to Play Guaranteed**! In this **Newbie workshop**, you’ll start playing right away! We’ll introduce you to the tiles, sets, and winning hands while guiding you through the basic rules and game rhythm. By the end of this session, we can guarantee that everyone who comes will learn how to play, and feel confident and ready to play Mahjong with others. ### **What’s Included:** **Mahjong Instructor** – Our experienced instructor will guide you in learning and playing.**Mahjong Worksheets** – Specially designed materials to help players of all levels learn and level up!**Free Tea & Coffee** – Enjoy a warm drink while you play.**Occasional Festive Treats** – Depending on the monthly theme, we might treat you to some special Asian delights! ### **A Social Game in a Social Space** Mahjong isn’t just about strategy—it’s about **bringing people together**. Our workshop offers a fun, welcoming space where you can meet new people, have a great time and maybe even organise future game nights together! We love seeing friendships blossom over Mahjong. Small note that there may be times when we don’t have four players equally per table. In such cases, we’ll combine players across the tables to ensure a full game, with guidance from our instructor of course. ### **Details of the Event** * **Where**: Aldgate Tower just outside of Aldgate East Station Exit 1 * **Who**: New beginners to Mahjong, come alone or come with your friends / family * **What is included**: worksheets, expert guidance, free tea and coffee, unbeatable vibes ### **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.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: Type Annotations with John Cassidy We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

We thought of one of the interesting things that can be enjoyed at this time of the year. We will be meeting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for a "Fish Fry" in Marian Hall on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 PM. It might be fun for you to experience what has become a tradition on the Fridays before Easter. They will have fried fish or baked fish, French fries and Cole slaw, as well as beverages, all for $16.00 for adults. They will have other beverages and desserts available for sale, as well. We have never tried this, and sometimes there are quite a few people at these events so we hope that we will be able to find each other easily. I'll try to have signs outside Marian Hall that Identify our group. We hope to have you join us!

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.

**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)

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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