English

In honour of the two-year anniversary of the Popper-Deutsch Reading Group this week we'll return to The Beginning of Infinity to revisit chapter 1 - The Reach of Explanations If this is your first time attending we meet in the cafe of the Barbican Cinema, look for people with copies of The Beginning of Infinity. The book can be purchased on [amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beginning-Infinity-Explanations-Transform-World/dp/0140278168), and many podcasts and summaries are available online. Here is Brett Hall's playlist exploring chapters of the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG1qwlfDFkI&list=PLsE51P_yPQCRzJItkoRzu9HOGjYeFkfSB

Come and join us every week day from 12.45pm - 2.45pm. Classes for levels elementary to upper-intermediate (A1+ - B2+) Improve your fluency, listening and reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary with our friendly classes. No payment needed - the classes are **completely free** because the teachers are training with a University of Cambridge accredited program. Join us at 24 Great Chapel St, London, W1F 8FS Take the level test in advance for more information about classes for your level (link to the level test: https://forms.gle/mn3hqUgo3BRLyAUi7) and wait for up to one business day for more information. OR Come 15 minutes early on your first day to do a quick speaking test and find your classroom. See you soon!

Loneliness and the experience of being orphaned, yet yearning for care and connection, lie at the heart of these two powerful films from Bahram Beyzaie and Abbas Kiarostami. In *Journey (Safar)*, two teenagers from the shanty towns of southern Tehran travel to the newly built suburbs, searching for one of the boy's parents. The journey itself transcends the boy’s personal aims. *Journey* masterfully weaves in a reflection on the history of cinema through allusions and visual citations. *A Wedding Suit* *(Lebasi Bara-ye Arousi)* also presents a disillusionment with the world, through the eyes of young boys. The suit becomes a lens that shows the the loneliness and anxieties of youth, in a society indifferent to them, where their sexual, vocational, and social aspirations are stifled. These films offer lessons in cinematic modernity from two leading figures of the Iranian New Wave, **Bahram Beyzaie** and **Abbas Kiarostami**. We will have a discussion about the films at Barbican’s café after the screening. Reservation link: [https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/masterpieces-of-the-iranian-new-wave-journey-0](https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2026/event/masterpieces-of-the-iranian-new-wave-journey-0) Do you speak French and would like to be part of a reading group and other events in French? [https://www.meetup.com/gaia-livres/](https://www.meetup.com/The-London-French-Club/) Do you speak Spanish and would like to be part of a reading group in Spanish? [https://www.meetup.com/gaia-libros/](https://www.meetup.com/London-Spanish-Club/) Or join my eclectic English book club: [https://www.meetup.com/gaia-books](https://www.meetup.com/gaia-libros/) instagram: @persian_culture_ -Whatsapp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZk35ZbJZ6W6wwyHyuxoS2](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZk35ZbJZ6W6wwyHyuxoS2)

**FREE TO MEMBERS - SIGN UP WHEN YOU ARRIVE!** English Conversation Class in Soho Intermediate and Advanced speakers only - Free admission Any questions ask Richard at 7563 995821

This **theatre** and **livestream** is available online from Gresham College to Basingstoke Science subscribers. **ADVANCE BOOKING AND PAYMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THIS TALK.** **More details and booking instructions on the Gresham web site:** **[https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/price-pixels](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/price-pixels)** **SUMMARY** #### Part of: [From Battlefields to Bytes: The Environmental Scars of Modernity](https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/series/battlefields-bytes) Our digital world's convenience masks a heavy environmental cost. This lecture explores the destructive rare earth mineral mining powering our devices, the vast energy consumption of data centres fuelling climate change, and the toxic e-waste contaminating our environment and harming human health. From resource extraction to digital consumption, we'll uncover the environmental trade-offs of our tech-dependent lives and discuss pathways towards a sustainable digital future that minimizes degradation, protects health, and mitigates climate change. **LIVESTREAM TIMING** **The livestream will go live at 5.55pm, and the introduction will begin at 6.00pm. If you register but miss the livestream, the video will be available to you via the same link for two weeks after the event date.** For more information on livestreams, see the information below, or [visit our FAQs page](https://www.rigb.org/whats/faqs-ri-livestreams). Please use the event link you have been provided with. Gresham College has offered an outstanding education to the public free of charge for over 400 years. Today, Gresham College plays an important role in fostering a love of learning and a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Please consider making a donation on their web site to support the work of Gresham College.

**FREE TO MEMBERS - SIGN UP WHEN YOU ARRIVE!** English Conversation Class in Soho Intermediate and Advanced speakers only - Free admission Any questions ask Richard at 7563 995821

Important - Please Read Welcome to London's Highest Rated International Languages Exchange group, with over 1400 reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇨🇳🇪🇬🇭🇰🇺🇦🇺🇸🇹🇷🇹🇼🇷🇺🇵🇱 To learn more about us and our community visit [www.languages.london](https://www.languages.london/) WHEN & WHERE Join us on Tuesday for our global language exchange and social at **The Clement Attlee** pub in Limehouse from 7pm. The venue is a beautiful and really friendly pub with a great selection of drinks (especially beers!) including non-alcoholic options, fantastic food and good access to public transport. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RaLA7Jejt2g1tPme8 HOW WE DO IT It's simple .... \~ When you arrive please collect your personalised language badge from us, **BEFORE** you order your drinks. We'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome 😃 \~ Please wear your badge during the event and return it before you leave. \~ Start meeting the community and having fun, lots of fun! Confirm your place to attend. This event is FREE to attend Please remember to buy something from the bar to support the venue, who kindly offer us a dedicated space. 🇲🇽🇻🇳🇧🇬🇵🇸🇸🇪🇮🇱🇦🇺🇨🇦🇳🇱🇨🇴🇭🇺🇿🇦🇹🇭🇵🇪🇧🇴🇳🇬🇪🇬🇳🇿🇨🇭 **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. We have the largest number of languages and countries represented in our weekly language exchange and social events. This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers..... Everyone! This is the event for a truly global community and for citizens from around the World 🌎 Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol , francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages ? Or maybe prefer to only speak English, that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the love, bring your family, friends and colleagues 💙 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. These are real events with real people. We aren't one of those groups that fill our events with fictitious attendees👻. We want to remain the **BEST** language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. **No-shows at our events are removed from the group.** **Inactive members are also regularly removed from our group.** **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovakian, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Gaelic, Icelandic, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🇷🇴🇬🇹🇨🇿🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮🇨🇾🇺🇾🇪🇬🇧🇬🇦🇷🇰🇪🇱🇰🇲🇦🇹🇳🇩🇿🇸🇬🇲🇾 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We don't like single use paper name tags, stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing ☹️ The Solution? Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! ♻️ So, please make sure you return your badge to us, before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing and keep our costs down🙏 **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. Please look after your belongings, the venue is a public place. We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow **your** community, thank you ♥️ Join our community - [www.languages.london](https://www.languages.london/) We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇵🇭🇦🇪🇦🇱🇧🇪🇮🇪🇲🇹🇰🇿🇱🇦🇯🇴🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪🇰🇭🇨🇱🇲🇳🇨🇺

Let's Have a Cocktail while discovering a typical South of France Game "La Petanque" Join us for a relaxed afterwork drink and enjoying nice conversations in a very pleasant Provence Theme cocktail Bar in Holborn. We'll meet inside the bar, you can ask for Caroline's table and be ready to enjoy nice drinks, corsican charcuterie or panisse. We will enjoy a Petanque game: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrZnOwH2xuY&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrZnOwH2xuY&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tD) The cocktail bar is an inspired Marseille Theme and we will be able to enjoy different scenarios on the only indoor petanques bar of London. Please only register if you can attend. The event is on you pay what you drink/ eat basis Looking forward to seeing you there!

Chetori! Come and join us for drinks and at our get together in February for our Shab-e Shanbeh. Persian speakers and non-Persian speakers are welcome. We are gathering at The Bar in Montcalm hotel, ground floor. Mibinamet, مونیکا Join me on: English reading club: [www.meetup.com/gaia-books](www.meetup.com/gaia-books) Spanish reading club: [www.meetup.com/gaia-libros](https://www.meetup.com/gaia-libros) French reading club: [www.meetup.com/gaia-livres](https://www.meetup.com/gaia-livres) Instagram @persian_culture_ -Whatsapp group: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZk35ZbJZ6W6wwyHyuxoS2](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZk35ZbJZ6W6wwyHyuxoS2)

``` Sind Sie Deutsch sprechend und möchten Ihre Sprachkenntnisse in einer wunderschönen Umgebung im Freien üben? Begleiten Sie uns auf einem gemütlichen Spaziergang durch die atemberaubende Hampstead Heath. Wir unterhalten uns auf Deutsch, genießen die frische Luft und die malerische Aussicht. Was Sie erwartet: . Deutsche Konversation: Üben Sie Ihre Sprachkenntnisse mit anderen Deutsch sprechenden Personen. . Malerische Wanderung: Erkunden Sie die wunderschöne Hampstead Heath. . Freundliche Atmosphäre: Lernen Sie neue Leute kennen und schließen Sie dauerhafte Freundschaften. Bitte beachten Sie: . Angemessene Kleidung: Tragen Sie bequeme Wanderschuhe und wettergerechte Kleidung. . Sicherheit: Sie sind für Ihre eigene Sicherheit und Ihr Eigentum verantwortlich. . Pünktlichkeit: Bitte kommen Sie pünktlich, da die Heath weitläufig ist. Respektieren Sie die Umwelt: Bitte hinterlassen Sie keine Spuren. . Wetter: Bei starkem Regen treffen wir uns in einem nahegelegenen Pub oder Café. Veranstaltungsdetails: Route: Wir gehen zum Kenwood House für eine Pause und kehren anschließend zur U-Bahn-Station zurück. . Bedenken Sie, dass wir nach Beginn der Wanderung schwer zu finden sind. Je nach Wetterlage kann sich unsere Route ändern. . WhatsApp-Gruppe: Einen Tag vor der Veranstaltung wird ein Link mit Live-Updates zum Veranstaltungsort veröffentlicht. . Ein kleiner Beitrag: Zur Deckung der Gruppenkosten wird eine kleine Gebühr erhoben. Bitte ignorieren Sie den Zahlungsstatus, wenn Sie auf der Teilnehmerliste stehen. Wenn Sie sich unwohl fühlen, bleiben Sie bitte zu Hause. Wir freuen uns darauf, Sie dort zu sehen! ``` Wir freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch! Die London German Language Group

**Join us for an Italian Stroll in Hampstead Heath** Are you an Italian speaker looking to practise your language skills in a beautiful outdoor setting? Join us for a leisurely walk through the stunning Hampstead Heath. We'll chat in Italian, enjoy the fresh air, and take in the picturesque views. **What to expect:** * **Italian conversation:** Practise your language skills with fellow Italian speakers. * **Scenic walk:** Explore the beautiful Hampstead Heath. * **Friendly atmosphere:** Meet new people and make lasting friendships. **Please note:** * **Dress appropriately:** Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. * **Safety:** You are responsible for your own safety and belongings. * **Punctuality:** Please arrive on time as the Heath is vast. * **Respect the environment:** Please leave no trace. * **Weather:** If heavy rain is forecast, we'll go to a nearby pub or coffee shop. **Event details:** * **Route:** We'll walk to Kenwood House for a break, then return to the tube station. Bear in mind that once we have started the walk, it's difficult to find us. And depending on the weather, we can change our itinerary. * **WhatsApp group:** A link will be shared a day before the event for live location updates. **A small contribution:** To help cover group costs, a small fee is requested. Please ignore the payment status if you're on the attendee list. **If you're feeling unwell, please stay home.** **Looking forward to seeing you there!** The London Italian Language Group

Let's read Modern Standard Arabic together and help each other. This get-together continues weekly. Please disregard attendee numbers, as most members come without registering here. There is no charge for this time together.

**Join us for a Spanish Stroll in Hampstead Heath** Are you a Spanish speaker looking to practise your language skills in a beautiful outdoor setting? Join us for a leisurely walk through the stunning Hampstead Heath. We'll chat in Spanish, enjoy the fresh air, and take in the picturesque views. **What to expect:** * **Spanish conversation:** Practise your language skills with fellow Spanish speakers. * **Scenic walk:** Explore the beautiful Hampstead Heath. * **Friendly atmosphere:** Meet new people and make lasting friendships. **Please note:** * **Dress appropriately:** Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. * **Safety:** You are responsible for your own safety and belongings. * **Punctuality:** Please arrive on time as the Heath is vast. * **Respect the environment:** Please leave no trace. * **Weather:** If heavy rain is forecast, we'll go to a nearby pub or coffee shop. **Event details:** * **Route:** We'll walk to Kenwood House for a break, then return to the tube station. Bear in mind that once we have started the walk, it's difficult to find us. And depending on the weather, we can change our itinerary. * **WhatsApp group:** A link will be shared a day before the event for live location updates. **A small contribution:** To help cover group costs, a small fee is requested. Please ignore the payment status if you're on the attendee list. **If you're feeling unwell, please stay home.** **Looking forward to seeing you there!** The London Spanish Language Group

**MONTY ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP** [https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london](https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london) **How to find us** When you arrive at the Royal George we go down into the basement and you will find us there. Just ask a staff member if you cannot find us! Here is the location of the Royal George on google maps: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/HpkySsu2rEqUUub1A](https://maps.app.goo.gl/HpkySsu2rEqUUub1A) * Food or drink at the pub is not included (please make at least one purchase - they have a good range of drinks and great food if you feel hungry) **How are the lessons?** The lesson is a General English lesson focused on speaking and error correction - every lesson we usually cover 3 different topics. This will encourage you to use new vocabulary and practise grammatical structures. The group has a limit of 25 people but I usually accept people if you are on the waiting list. You will be divided into groups of 3-6 with others of a similar speaking level so you'll have plenty of opportunity to talk and ask questions to your qualified, native teacher Jon. The lesson takes place in the relaxed environment of the Royal George basement which is a pleasant pub, a two-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station. The lesson is ideal for pre-intermediate, intermediate and upper-intermediate students wishing to get to the next level. If you have any questions about the English lesson then please call me or send me a message. **Payment** Payments can be made in cash or by card (free of charge) when you come to the class. If it is your first time it is only £2! After your first time it is £5 for a single class or you can buy a ticket that makes each class cheaper; 5 classes for £20, 10 classes for £25 (you can use these tickets whenever you like and do not need to come in a set period of time) or 20 classes for £40 which has a limited use to within a six-month period. You can also pay via our website: [https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london](https://montyenglish.co.uk/english-conversation-group-classes-in-london) I hope to see you soon - if you have any questions please message me (via WhatsApp) on 07771 561 576 All the best, Jon (event organiser)

The aim of this group is to get together and practice our German. Doesn’t matter if are a beginner or a native speaker. The goal is to speak and improve our German. Everyone is welcome! If the weather is good, look for us in the Biergarten. Pro Tip: Get there before 6:00 for happy hour pricing.

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.

This meeting will be an open discussion about the book "an Immense World" by Ed Yong

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.

As you may or may not know--I didn't until late last year--Aristotle wrote extensively on "friendship" in the Nicomachean Ethics. After 69 years the concept of friendship still creates questions and uncertainty. I had close friends in high school and for a few years after high school but our interests diverged and people moved all over the country so it was hard to maintain connections. * So if I/you haven't talked with a friend for several years, are you still friends? Are we friends who meet at Drunken Philosophy or Omnipresent Atheists? * Can you be friends with someone with whom you have virulently divergent political views? Sartre and Camus could not. * Aristotle regarded friendship as essential to a good life, not merely an added "bonus." Do you agree? * In the Nicomachean Ethics (Books VIII and IX), he claims that wealth and power are meaningless without friends. Trump has wealth and power but seems to have no real friends, but wealth and power seem meaningful to him in perverted ways. Can you have meaning in your life without friends? * Do men and women view and maintain friendships in different ways? * Aristotle categorizes friendship into three types, based on what forms the bond: * **Utility**: Based on mutual benefit, but this type is fragile and ends when the usefulness ceases. * **Pleasure**: Based on shared enjoyment (e.g., humor, hobbies). Common among youth but fades as interests change. * **Virtue (The "Complete" Friendship)**: Based on mutual respect for each other's character and goodness. You wish good for the other for their sake, not yours. * **Key Principles of "True" (Virtuous) Friendship:** * **Permanence**: Virtuous friendships last a lifetime whereas those based on utility and pleasure are fleeting. * **Reciprocity**: Requires mutual goodwill; secret or unreciprocated affection does not qualify. * **The "Second Self"**: A true friend is "another self"—their virtue helps you understand and improve yourself. * **Time and Intimacy**: Deep ("complete") friendships are few, built on time and shared experiences. * **Self-Love and Friendship:** * Good friendship starts with being a friend to yourself. * They distinguish shallow egoism (chasing honors) from real self-love (pursuing virtue). * A virtuous person’s pleasant self-company allows them to be a stable, good friend to others. * Aristotle argues that one's social circle ultimately reflects one's character—a view with striking relevance today. Well--the Drunken Philosophy social circle certainly reflects good character!

Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel. Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger. Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life. Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Good Cafe](https://goodcafeeaston.com/)!