French Literature

Practice your French conversation with Loraine. We meet every other Sunday morning to practice French (games and speaking activities revolving around a different topic each time) with other learners while our native tutor will moderate the class so everyone can follow along and contribute. À bientôt !

**What this is** A relaxed Sunday afternoon book club for lesbian and bisexual women, meeting in person. This is our first event and we will discuss which book we plan to read. It’s low-pressure, calm, and easy to settle into the event. Women usually range from their 20s through to their 60s. Most sessions are a genuine mix of new faces and returning women, so you won’t be the only person coming for the first time. Most people come on their own. That’s normal here, and we make sure you don’t feel it. Hosts introduce people, keep things flowing, and make the space feel easy rather than awkward. If you’re feeling nervous, you won’t be the only one. Many women feel that way before their first book club and end up staying longer than they expected. **Current book club format** There isn't a set book for this session. Bring along whatever you're currently reading, have recently finished, or are thinking about reading next. We'll chat about books, swap recommendations, and discuss what everyone has been enjoying. If you'd like a suggestion, some members are currently reading: 1\. My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy 2\. All My Mothers by Joanna Glen No preparation needed. Come whether you've read a lot recently or not. Listening, chatting, and discovering new books is just as welcome as discussing one you've loved. **Important** This is a female-only lesbian space. That boundary is clear and upheld at events. If that doesn’t work for you, this won’t be the right event. **How to attend** You must register in advance to attend. Register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/book-club/](https://thelcommunity.com/book-club/) **One quick note on how the community works** **L Community is member-funded.** The standard contribution is **£13 per month** to cover the platform, events, moderation, and safeguarding. If £13 isn’t workable for you right now, you can opt out for now. Support can be changed or cancelled at any time. Support the platform: [www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now](http://www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now) **Arriving and support** The table booking is under the name Jenny. If you’re nervous, arriving alone, can’t find us, or have any difficulty at all, you can message at any point – days before, on the day, or during the event. If it helps, we can have someone come outside to meet you. **WhatsApp Jenny** WhatsApp only (calls or messages): **+44 7591 386019** Normal calls or texts will not go through on this number. **Staying connected** Registering for an event is separate from joining the wider community. If you’d like to stay connected between events, access the private WhatsApp group, and join the wider network, you can register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/app](www.thelcommunity.com/app) We’re currently reading Ink Black Heart. No pressure to have finished it.

Lets grub a drink & come and practice speaking English with our English speaking volunteers. You will learn more about British culture at the same time. This week at International Cafe, we invite everyone to meet up for drinks at the local PUB and engaging conversations. It is open to everyone who likes to make new friends and practice English. So mark your calendars: 🕕 Time: **Sunday at 2.30 PM** 📍 Address: ECIR OEA, meet up on the steps of Inspire at St James Church Questions? Text Organiser 07708228436

**What this is** A relaxed Sunday afternoon book club for lesbian and bisexual women, meeting in person. This is our first event and we will discuss which book we plan to read. It’s low-pressure, calm, and easy to settle into the event. Women usually range from their 20s through to their 60s. Most sessions are a genuine mix of new faces and returning women, so you won’t be the only person coming for the first time. Most people come on their own. That’s normal here, and we make sure you don’t feel it. Hosts introduce people, keep things flowing, and make the space feel easy rather than awkward. If you’re feeling nervous, you won’t be the only one. Many women feel that way before their first book club and end up staying longer than they expected. **Current book club format** There isn't a set book for this session. Bring along whatever you're currently reading, have recently finished, or are thinking about reading next. We'll chat about books, swap recommendations, and discuss what everyone has been enjoying. If you'd like a suggestion, some members are currently reading: 1\. My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy 2\. All My Mothers by Joanna Glen No preparation needed. Come whether you've read a lot recently or not. Listening, chatting, and discovering new books is just as welcome as discussing one you've loved. **Important** This is a female-only lesbian space. That boundary is clear and upheld at events. If that doesn’t work for you, this won’t be the right event. **How to attend** You must register in advance to attend. Register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/book-club/](https://thelcommunity.com/book-club/) **One quick note on how the community works** **L Community is member-funded.** The standard contribution is **£13 per month** to cover the platform, events, moderation, and safeguarding. If £13 isn’t workable for you right now, you can opt out for now. Support can be changed or cancelled at any time. Support the platform: [www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now](http://www.thelcommunity.com/back-us-now) **Arriving and support** The table booking is under the name Jenny. If you’re nervous, arriving alone, can’t find us, or have any difficulty at all, you can message at any point – days before, on the day, or during the event. If it helps, we can have someone come outside to meet you. **WhatsApp Jenny** WhatsApp only (calls or messages): **+44 7591 386019** Normal calls or texts will not go through on this number. **Staying connected** Registering for an event is separate from joining the wider community. If you’d like to stay connected between events, access the private WhatsApp group, and join the wider network, you can register here: [www.thelcommunity.com/app](www.thelcommunity.com/app) We’re currently reading Ink Black Heart. No pressure to have finished it.

Discover the World at International Cafe! We are a group of Christian volunteers set out to create a friendly community that welcomes everyone! Come and practice speaking English with our English speaking volunteers. You will learn more about British culture and discuss life with NEW topics each week. We also include a Bible story at the end of our sessions. At International Cafe, we start our meet up with Tea & Coffee and continue in engaging conversations. Each week, we'll look at NEW topics about British culture and history, so you can learn and socialize. Best of all, it's a free event and open to everyone! So mark your calendars: 🕕 Time: **Sunday at 2:30 PM** 📍 Address: ECIR OEA, Inspire at St James Questions? Text Organiser at 07708228436.

We will be meeting at The Racketeer! We will divide into smaller groups to discuss this month's book. It will be very obvious when you arrive to the pub, where our group is, but please feel free to give me a call if you are struggling to find us. For new members, shoot me a message on meetup and I will send through my phone number!

Looking for a relaxed way to meet thoughtful people, enjoy the sea air, and have meaningful conversations? Join us on Sunday 28 June at 10:00 AM from London Bridge Station for a beautiful coastal walk from Herne Bay to Whitstable. We'll travel together, then spend the day walking along the shoreline, taking in the views, sharing ideas, and enjoying conversations that go beyond the usual small talk. There is no pressure, no networking agenda, and no need to be an expert in anything—just curiosity and openness. As we walk, we'll explore questions such as: What experience has changed your perspective on life the most? What do you value more now than you did five years ago? What is something you believe that most people around you disagree with? If you could master one skill instantly, what would it be and why? What does a meaningful life look like to you? What book has had the greatest impact on your thinking? What would your younger self be surprised to learn about you today? What is a question you find endlessly fascinating? What do you think people misunderstand most about happiness? If you had complete freedom for the next year, how would you spend it?

Discover the World at International Cafe! We are a group of Christian volunteers set out to create a friendly community that welcomes everyone! Come and practice speaking English with our English speaking volunteers. You will learn more about British culture and discuss life with NEW topics each week. We also include a Bible story at the end of our sessions. At International Cafe, we start our meet up with Tea & Coffee and continue in engaging conversations. Each week, we'll look at NEW topics about British culture and history, so you can learn and socialize. Best of all, it's a free event and open to everyone! So mark your calendars: 🕕 Time: **Sunday at 2:30 PM** 📍 Address: ECIR OEA, Inspire at St James Questions? Text Organiser at 07708228436.

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. Now that our regular Saturday events are filling all the seats we're adding some Sundays when we're able to - check Meetup for dates. Same format but an hour later. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 12.00 - Shop and café open 12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, Solitaire and John

**⚡ IMPORTANT - READ ALL DETAILS 👇 IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN US ⚡** Finally..we're very excited to have our **FIRST Languages in London PICNIC + international language social** 🌏🌞🌳⛲🧺🍓🥪🥂👇🥏👇 ⭐ Note: This event is only open to **Languages in London community members** ⬇️ and their guests. **You'll need to have a Meetup confirmation** (incl guests) to join us ⭐ As always expect to meet a truly international 🌏 group of people. It's going to be fun, social, safe and hopefully culturally enriching.. **Confirm your place now!** Two of our wonderful community members, **Kei and Sab**a have kindly offered to help me manage this event 🇬🇧🇯🇵🇮🇷🇮🇳🇫🇷 Like our regular language exchange and social events you'll be given a personalised languages badge on arrival, to help make your afternoon more fun & engaging. **Please return your badge when you leave ♻️** **💃Keeping things simple and fu**n? 🔘 **The venue is Hyde Park 🌳**and we'll be there from 2pm on Sunday afternoon 🕑. **The exact location 🧭 🗺**️ will be confirmed on Sunday afternoon shortly before 2pm via our group WhatsApp. To join our WhatsApp group read the instructions below 👇 🔘 **What to brin**g -your own food / snacks, drinks, picnic mats / blankets and perhaps games to keep you even more entertained\! We hope to be in a shaded area\, but it may be \(hopefully\!\) a warm day so prepare accordingly with drinking water\, sunscreen\, hats\.... umbrella ? 🔘 There's a nominal **£1 contributio**n per person, to attend this event. You can pay this when arrive 🔘 **Post Picni**c? Some of us will probably head over to a local pub for some extra hydration 🍻🍹 **🌎Remembe**r \- The park is a public space\, look after your belongings\. Be respectful and courteous to other visitors to the park\. Please remove your own leftovers and rubbish \(drinks cans / bottles\, food wrapping etc\) and dispose of it considerately\ Confirm your place to join us 😄 IMPORTANT To join our Picnic WhatsApp group 👇 ⚠️ Send a message to us via MeetUp "Message" with your first name and mobile number to be added to our Languages in London Picnic WhatsApp Group " Your WhatsApp details WILL NOT be visible to anyone else⚠️ Please do not post your mobile number in the Meetup chat. For your own privacy this will be removed. Tomorrow (Sunday) we'll share details of our exact location in Hyde Park via our group WhatsApp. To join the WhatsApp group read above ☝️ Questions \- If you've read the event description and you still have questions\, send us a message via MeetUp\ On behalf of Kei, Saba and Girish 😊👋

Based on Gary Owen's much lauded and widely performed monodrama, Iphigenia in Splott, 'Effi o Blaenau' is director Marc Evans' cinematic interpretation set against the wide open landscapes of North Wales. The film follows Effi (Leisa Gwenllian), a young woman desperate to escape a town where the pubs are closed, the jobs have vanished and her grandmother works night shifts in the local chip shop just to get by. A chance encounter in a Llandudno nightclub with injured soldier Lee (Tom Rhys Harries), briefly opens a door to something better. For a moment, Effi glimpses a life she never imagined.

This is our Beehive Poetry Club meet-up. This is a space to both read poetry that we have felt inspired by and also a chance to have a go at writing something or having a go at a technique. Roughly each week will look like the following: 13.30 - Arrive for coffee + intoduction 13.40 - Poetry reading (anything you may have written or enjoyed reading) 14.20 - coffee break 14.30 Free write or writing activity 15.30 - finish

*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 Sunday evening in Isington for the London Language Exchange, where over 20 people gather each week to practice new languages, play some darts, 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. * **Free Darts:** We have one darts booth reserved for our group which you can play on for free during our event! * **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 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 in the upstairs of Flight Club Islington 56 Upper St, London N1 0NY: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4noxd4tLWTkVHnqL8 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)

Ready to practice your French in a relaxed, friendly setting? Join us for our next language circle! This informal session is designed for local learners of all levels—whether you are just starting out with "Bonjour" or looking to polish your conversational skills. We will have light discussion prompts, fun icebreakers, and plenty of opportunities to chat and connect with fellow language lovers in the neighborhood. - **Cost:** Completely Free! - **Refreshments:** Complimentary snacks and drinks will be provided to keep the conversation flowing. - **What to bring:** Just your curiosity, enthusiasm, and a desire to learn! Spaces are limited to keep the conversation engaging, so please RSVP to secure your spot. We can't wait to meet you! À bientôt !

Bienvenue! We host a twice-a-month French conversation club at La Chatelaine on Lane. All levels welcome! Whether you're new to French or running for Président de la République you are welcome here! We often read plays together, play vocabulary games, and generally enjoy the delicious food available at La Chatelaine! We will be at the long table in the back of the restaurant. A bientôt!

**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. Or out on the patio.

Be prepared for an entirely different type of sci-fi movie! Unofficially, the second movie in director Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," 2011 Melancholia depicts the events that occur before a rogue planet is about to collide with the earth. Considered by many to be a masterpiece, the film was included in BFI's 2022 Sight and Sound Poll of the greatest movies of all time. It is available at the library as well as on Kanopy.

*The streets of Columbus are going French this July!* The **[Chouette Bastille Day Festival](https://www.chouetterestaurant.com/)** returns to N. High Street this summer for an afternoon of live French jazz, traditional French cuisine, and premium cocktails, wines, and craft beers from our DORA bar. Free cover, festive, and entirely French.⁠ **⁠When:** Sunday, July 12th, 12PM to 4 PM - we'll meet about 2pm. **Parking**: Metropolis Parking garage, one block west. Metropolis Parking lot, one block east. **Note**: Feel free to come by early and grab a sit down lunch at one of the great restaurants nearby, if you like. Once the fest begins, eats n drinks purchased are walkabout, round tables, or lean in high tops. *You just may find me at a barstool at Hank's ;)*