English Writing Skills

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Prague.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over dinner. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Free Event/Vstup Zdarma Pro češtinu, podívejte se níže EN Hello, people of Prague!! We bring you a forum to trade your language skills and learn something more. If not interested in language, you could have a general conversation. The goal is to create a chill environment for social networking with a focus on learning the language of your choice. So grab some beverages at the bar/cafe and get on with it every Thursday. **NEW** Venue: Tequila Tales Bar **NEW** Location: Ujezd 409/19, 11800 Malá Strana Timing: 1900-2200 (Every Thursday) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- CZ Ahoj Pražáci!! Přinášíme vám fórum, kde můžete vyměnit své jazykové znalosti a dozvědět se něco víc. Cílem je vytvořit pohodové prostředí pro sociální sítě se zaměřením na výuku jazyka dle vašeho výběru. Takže si vezměte nějaké nápoje v baru/kavárně a pusťte se do toho každý čtvrtek. **NOVE** Místo: Tequila Tales Bar, Ujezd 409/19, 11800 Malá Strana Čas: 1900-2200 (každý čtvrtek)

In this session we will discuss the latest novel The Secret of Secrets by American author Dan Brown, a mystery thriller set in Prague. The book was released in September 2025, and follows the adventures of Robert Langdon. We will have a short introduction followed by a simple exercise and sharing of opinions. Before the session, please prepare answers to two tasks: - Please prepare one fact about the book/writing of the book or the author that surprised you. - Please bring one confusing moment from the book that you didn’t understand, or would like to clarify with others.

**Storytelling Workshop - My story, your Story, our Story** ⏰ **From 18:30** 📍 **Přístav 7, Holešovice – v Přístavu 24** 🆓 **FREE EVENT** ## 🌿 Weekly Storytelling & Reflection Workshop Join us for a weekly workshop where authentic, true stories spark fresh ways of seeing our lives and challenges. In a warm, welcoming circle, we listen deeply, share from the heart, and explore how Eastern and Western perspectives can illuminate one another. 🌏✨ This event is for anyone curious about personal growth, cross-cultural connection, and discovering wisdom in surprising places. Together, we’ll create a space where listening, reflection, and story awaken deeper clarity. When we contribute to the whole, no one leaves empty-handed. 🤲💛 🗣️ **Language:** English 🎟️ **Entry:** Free event 🆓 Donations are recommended *** ## 👥 Organized by **C.L.A.P. – Culture, Love, Art, People - Hosted by Agora7** 💬 **Join our WhatsApp Community to stay updated on next events/**Link on request 📸 **Follow us on Instagram:** [https://www.instagram.com/c.l.a.p.2](https://www.instagram.com/c.l.a.p.2)

## **What IdeaVerse is about** **We meet usually once a month to discuss some of the current challenges as well and perhaps come up with new ideas on how to overcome them. For those who came regularly, this next meetup would be slightly different. We will do a workshop on solving real world problems.** The problem we will attempt to solve is the dissolution of communities and spaces where people connect in person, and with it, our increased isolation and loneliness. There are many reasons why this is happening: \- replacement of religion with science as a beacon of meaning\, which seems to be much less great at inspiring connection; \- economic forces boosting our ego\, and make it easier to pay for random strangers for help then making lasting connections with people\. \- political polarization \- \(anti\)social media \(as I call it\) and now AI offering simulations of relationships\. \- climate change increasing our distrust in a better future and the importance of investing in life and people\. \- closing down of third spaces like churches\, malls and retail stores \(due to online shopping\)\, youth centers and increase in remote work\. These are all causes we'll explore, together with examples of how other people expressed they feel about this issue from research, reasons why this issue exists as well as examples of small victories against this tide. We'll work in small groups putting all this knowledge together with out imagination and attempt to find local solutions to similar problems here in Prague. This is is more than a discussion. It's an exploration of our ability to work together to effect change in ourselves and in our social circles. **Some suggested reading/watching:** 1. "Contrary to the perception that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people in high-income countries, they impact the health and well-being of all age groups across the world. One in four older people experience social isolation and the rates are broadly similar in all regions. Among adolescents, between 5­­–15% experience loneliness, according to research findings." (3 minute read - [WHO launches commission to foster social connection](https://www.who.int/news/item/15-11-2023-who-launches-commission-to-foster-social-connection)) 2. "Many popular sitcoms center around what's known as a third place-- for example, Central Park in Friends or the Bull and Finch Pub from Cheers. Like the theme song goes, it's somewhere where everybody knows your name, where you can socialize in a place other than your home or work and build some community. But with the whole world accessible on your smartphone, it's kind of hard to resist the call of the couch. And it's hurting us more than we think." (10 minute Podcast [Third places’ may be the answer to America’s loneliness epidemic](https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2024/05/23/third-places-may-be-the-answer-to-americas-loneliness-epidemic)) 3. “These verdicts mark an unsurprising breaking point. Negative sentiment toward social media has been building for years, and now it’s finally boiled over,” said Mike Proulx, a director at Forrester, a market research company. (4 minute read - [How the landmark verdict against Meta and YouTube could hit their businesses](https://www.aol.com/finance/landmark-verdict-against-meta-youtube-100000070.html)) **The meeting is free to attend, but please buy a drink or two at our patron's place, to make them happy.**

Weekly Czech Conversation Meetup 📅 Every Thursday \| 🕢 19:30–21:30 📍 Tequila Tales, Újezd 409/19, Praha 1 Are you an expat in Prague learning Czech at A1 or A2 level? Ready to stop just studying and start speaking? Join our Weekly Czech Conversation Meetup – a focused, interactive session designed to help you speak more confidently in Czech through fun, practical, peer-based learning. 🎯 What to expect: Structured, casual Czech-speaking sessions Fun language games, real-life scenarios, group challenges Peer-to-peer learning (no teachers – just motivated learners!) No grammar overload – just speaking and using what you know 🧠 Who is this for? A1 and A2 level learners (not for absolute beginners) Expats in Prague who want to practice Czech in a supportive space People who are ready to actively participate – speaking is a must! 📝 Important: Preparation is required. Each week, you’ll get a short prompt or task in advance. Everyone must come ready to engage. 💬 Why join? Build real-life speaking skills Break the fear of using Czech Meet other motivated learners Get out of your Duolingo comfort zone! 🌍 This is a focused Czech-only session, happening from 19:30 to 21:30, as part of the larger Uninstall Duolingo Language Exchange night every Thursday.

Come along to Pohoda’s stall to help run, set up and clean up for the flash market! Pohoda supports quality of life for mental disabilities in adults, including health and social services. The flash market is an activity that contributes to their fundraising and sells products that were made by their community. If you have any questions, contact Julia +420 737 890 656

Hello, we are starting SU&W at Scouts Institute this Sunday! Please find us at a table across from the cafe. The event starts at 12, and the writing starts at 12:15! We will have 45 minutes of writing, followed by a 15 minute break. Then another 45 minutes of writing. Please purchase something to support the cafe and the space ☺️ Follow us on Whatsapp! https://chat.whatsapp.com/HeZDsZNFD8BKn8JohRlbkI

\*\*\*\*\* We're meeting both in-person and virtually via Skype depending on the week. Contact Sonya Lano for more information if you want to join \*\*\*\*\* This is for anyone wanting feedback! We mostly focus on novels and longer works, but short stories are welcome, as well. You can submit anything you want feedback on in any genre. Current word limit for submissions is 4,000 words. Send your submissions by 13:30 the Thursday before the meeting (or we have a grace period during which you can submit a lower limit of 2,500 words if you submit by midnight Thursday evening). Also, if you don't have time to read through everyone's submissions, still join the meeting! We know that busy schedules don't always make finding reading time easy. To submit, use the Dropbox folder. If you don't have access to it, send sonyalakadosch@yahoo.com your e-mail address so I can add you. Looking forward to seeing everyone there! My number in case of any confusion the day of the meeting is 737 118 530 - or on Facebook: Sonya Lano (https://www.facebook.com/sonya.lano) DROPBOX INFO: * add new submissions for the next meeting in the " submissions" folder for the meeting date. Put your name at the beginning of the file name (for example: "Sonya Somewhere in the Dark") * When providing written feedback (not required, but deeply welcome), save the file as a separate document on your device, then mark your changes/ feedback in the saved file. After you're finished, put the file in the "Feedback" folder under the folder for the meeting date and then under the person the feedback is for (e.g. "For Sonya"). * The submissions folder will be replaced within a week after the meeting has taken place. Feedback will be deleted within 2 months after the meeting, so if you need it longer than that, make sure to copy it to your own disk.

This group is for anyone who writes - for any reason. Have a thesis or article you need to write? Trying to finish a novel or an academic paper? This group is for you. We are currently meeting in-person at Locus Workspace. If you have any questions, contact Sonya Lano here or on Facebook or Messenger (https://www.facebook.com/sonya.lano). We start at 9:00, introduce ourselves, and share a few words about what we're working on and what we hope to accomplish during the session. At the end of the session, you can give us a brief recap of how it went. We'll break at noon. The afternoon session starts at 2:00 pm. You're welcome to join both sessions or just one. Please come as close to 9:00 as you can if you come for the morning session. If you come to the afternoon session, we are usually back by about a quarter to 2:00.

It's easy to get the idea that philosophy is largely an abstract and conceptual endeavor–studying theories that try to explain the universe, morality, or language, and then arguing until we either prove those we disagree with wrong or at least reach a smug sense of clarity. But is that all that philosophy has to offer? Back by popular demand, this month we'll be diving deeper into the reflections of **Pierre Hadot** by beginning his essay **Spiritual Exercises**. In this essay, Hadot argues that **ancient philosophers didn't just theorize about what a good life might be, but practiced it through disciplines of attention, meditation, and self-examination aimed at transforming how one sees and lives in the world**. The essay invites us to ask **whether philosophy might still serve that purpose today**. Hadot specialized in **ancient Greek and Roman philosophy--especially Stoicism, Neoplatonism, and early Christian thought**–as was known for his scholarship on **Marcus Aurelius, Plotinus, and ancient spiritual exercises**. His work has influenced many contemporary philosophers, classicists, and the modern revival of philosophy as a lived practice. As noted in the title, this will be the first of two sessions. We're splitting the text into two parts in order to give everyone a chance to fit the text into their busy lives, as well as to give us space to move more slowly through the text together. \*\*\* Below is a PDF copy of Hadot's book Philosophy as a Way of Life. This session will cover up to p.93 (ending at 3. Learning to Die). If you have trouble accessing it, send the host a message–extra copies are available. Link: [https://ia800203.us.archive.org/7/items/PierreHadotArnoldDavidsonPhilosophyAsAWayOfLifeSpiritualExercisesFromSocratesToFoucault1995/Pierre%20Hadot%2C%20Arnold%20Davidson%20Philosophy%20as%20a%20Way%20of%20Life%20Spiritual%20Exercises%20from%20Socrates%20to%20Foucault%20%201995.pdf](https://ia800203.us.archive.org/7/items/PierreHadotArnoldDavidsonPhilosophyAsAWayOfLifeSpiritualExercisesFromSocratesToFoucault1995/Pierre%20Hadot%2C%20Arnold%20Davidson%20Philosophy%20as%20a%20Way%20of%20Life%20Spiritual%20Exercises%20from%20Socrates%20to%20Foucault%20%201995.pdf) \*\*\* We’ll have tea and light snacks, but please feel free to bring any drink or snack you’d like to share! This event will be hosted in an apartment with a well-trained dog who will be happy to meet you. If anyone has concerns about dogs, let me know so I can be mindful about keeping her from bothering you. The buzzer is Everett and Mainous—we’re on the 5th floor, apartment 16. Meeting structure: We will start with a brief summary of the key ideas Hadot presents then move to open discussion. Please read the text in advance, make highlights, and note any thoughts or questions you find interesting and compelling.

Filozofování o životě a o všem ostatním pro všechny, bez vstupného a bez přihlášky: Co si přejete, s čím si lámete hlavu, co Vás nenechá spát, o čem dumáte, o čem sníte, co Vám vrtá hlavou, čeho se bojíte, na co vzpomínáte, o čem přemýšlíte? Nenechte tyto věci jen pro sebe, zkuste rozhovor s jinými lidmi. U nás nejde jen o to, si popovídat, o to taky, ale to máte i jinde. U našeho stolu se pokusíme, spolu *filozofovat*. Nejdříve se dohodneme, jaké téma budeme diskutovat, a pak se do toho pustíme, budeme přemýšlet, rozmýšlet, promýšlet a zamýšlet se, až se nám z toho bude točit hlava, přitom nám budou podporou filozofové všech věků, abychom jí neztratili, tu hlavu. Ani byste nevěřili, jak filozofie může být osvěžující…

Are you interested in a lot of things but just a little at a time? Then come to the 5 Minute University! Each talk lasts only 5 minutes followed by 1-2 questions and you'll have the chance to talk to the speakers and other listeners before and after the event - it's a great place to make some friends and find good conversation! Here's the current line up: 1. Tricia Melnik - The Language That Refused to Die 1. Ramona Todor - It's not what it seems: Sex beyond conditioning 1. JT Ostdiek - Philosophy for Children 1. Tom Thumb - Science for Hippies 1. Sherif - How Culture impacts Communication 1. Michael Amico - Change the Lens, Change the Story 1. Paola Pizzo - Who Ate All the Mummies? 1. Leonidas Lundell ' What the Hell Are Proteins Anyway? 1. Tim Burgi - Improv and the mind 1. Trang - Growing up between two cultures - too Vietnamese for Czechs, too Czech for Vietnamese 1. Annouchka Bousquet - Marketing & Manipulation : the cigarette Industry (XXe century) 1. This event is solo-friendly, there will be plenty of things to talk about. So join alone or bring a friend, everyone is welcome. It's a free event and so be sure to support our hosts, Dorado Coffee, by buying drinks.

Lets meet at Puerto Rico Cafe & Cocktail Bar to start the weekend for an easygoing evening of drinks, good food, conversation, and networking in a cozy, stylish setting in Vinohrady. Feel free to come alone or bring friends along. Just ask for the Meetup group when you arrive. Looking forward to seeing you there! ✨ Shahab P.S: For booking purposes, only those who have signed up may attend :)

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

When judging morality, should we prioritize **intentions/duty** or **outcomes/results**? It introduces two influential philosophers as representatives of these approaches. * **Immanuel Kant (deontology):** An action is moral when it is done from **duty** and follows rational, universal principles (the **categorical imperative**). Certain acts—like lying—are wrong regardless of the consequences; you can’t do a wrong thing for a right reason. * **John Stuart Mill (utilitarian consequentialism):** The morality of an action is determined by its **effects**, specifically how much **happiness/well-being** it produces. Mill argues that some pleasures are “higher” than others, and that good intentions don’t redeem harmful outcomes. ## Discussion Questions 1. **The lying dilemma:** A murderer comes to your door and asks if your friend is hiding inside. Kant would say you must not lie. 2. **Can good intentions rescue a bad outcome?** 3. **The organ harvest problem:** A surgeon has five patients dying of organ failure and one healthy patient in for a checkup. Killing the one to harvest organs would save five lives, and the math works out for the utilitarian. Why does this feel so deeply wrong? Is that feeling a point in Kant's favor, or just a bias we should overcome? 4. **Do rules need exceptions?** Kant insists moral rules must be universal, with no exceptions. But most of us can imagine extreme scenarios where any rule seems like it should bend. Does the need for exceptions fatally undermine deontology, or is the strength of the system precisely that it refuses to bend? 5. **Who gets to calculate the consequences?** Utilitarianism asks us to maximize good outcomes, but we're notoriously bad at predicting consequences. If we can't reliably know the results of our actions, is it practical to base our entire moral system on outcomes? Does this uncertainty push us back toward rules and principles? 6. **Everyday morality:** Think about a real moral decision you've made recently, even a small one. Did you reason more like a Kantian (what's the right thing to do in principle?) or more like a utilitarian (what will produce the best result?)? Do most people naturally lean one way? 7. **Justice vs. the greater good:** A town can prevent a deadly plague by sacrificing one innocent person. The greater good is clearly served. But is it just? Can an action be morally right and deeply unjust at the same time? 8. **The big synthesis question:** Are these two systems actually opposed, or do they often arrive at the same answers by different paths? Is it possible that we need both: rules to guide us in the moment and consequences to evaluate systems and policies over time?

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**