Languages

All our language groups remain active online. Get those grey cells working and practice your linguistic skills!

French Conversation

Leader: Diana Brahams, assisted by Judith Steinberg

Computer screen showing members meeting online and in a private home
The French Conversation Group goes hybrid!

The French Conversation group has evolved into quite a cultural exchange. To avoid running out of topics, the members are each invited to suggest a song or other piece of music, a film, a poem, a book, or a painting.  Their choice is shared with the group on screen and the member explains to the others and then discusses (in French of course) why they made the choice. The group (which usually has the assistance of a fluent French speaker) could probably accommodate one or two further members whose French is of a reasonable standard.

  • Hybrid sessions in the leader’s home (NW11) with others joining online on Zoom
  • When: Tuesday 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
  • Frequency: Fortnightly

French Improvers – Intermediate and Advanced

Leader: Yocheved Freeman

These groups cover conversation, understanding, and writing skills.

  • Using WhatsApp video during the coronavirus outbreak
  • When:
    • Monday 9.45 am – 10.45  am – Advanced group
    • Monday 11.00 am – 12.00 pm – Intermediate group

Advanced German Conversation

Leader: Michelle Wayne

For those more experienced in German.

  • Online using Zoom
  • When: Thursday 2.30–3.30 pm
  • Frequency: Weekly

Hebrew (Ivrit) Conversation

Leader: Tony Korn

Members of the Ivrit Conversation group in a Zoom session
Members of the Ivrit Conversation group remain active online through a Zoom session
  • Can you make yourself understood in Modern Hebrew (Ivrit)?
  • Want to improve your conversation and proficiency?
  • We are an intermediate-level, fun and friendly conversation group (chug) for people who can speak the language and want to progress their competence.
  • Great majority of discussion in Ivrit.
  • We are not a  learning group – we are a discussion group.

At each meeting, each of us either:

1. Reads and translates an article from the latest issue of Yanshuf (an Israeli newspaper in somewhat easier Ivrit) with its crib sheet – we then discuss that article.

Or

2. Chats in Ivrit on any subject they want (except politics or religion) for a few minutes and we discuss that.

Except when translating we speak only in Ivrit throughout our meetings.

  • Continuing on Zoom
  • When: Wednesday 10.00–11.30 am
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Space for 1 or 2 more — please use the form on the contact page if interested in joining (select the option “Application to join group(s)”)
  • Note: annual charge of £21pa for ≈20 16-page issues of Yanshuf per year

Italian Conversation (Intermediate)

Leader: Daniela Marx

Daniela is a native Italian speaker. Her beginners class has moved beyond the basics, and now focuses on conversation.

  • Online using Zoom
  • When: Monday 1.00 – 2.00 pm
  • Frequency: Weekly

Italian Conversation (Advanced)

Leader: Lisa Vignoli

Italian conversation practice, e.g., name, address, time, weather, etc. Reading aloud from selected texts, e.g., newspaper, and then discussing text. Oral language questions and oral answers. Translation: Italian into English, English into Italian.

  • Online using Zoom
  • When: Friday 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
  • Frequency: Weekly

Learn Latin

Leader: Daniela Marx

Set book: Cambridge Latin Course Book 1 – 4th Edition

  • Online using Zoom
  • When: Monday 2.00 – 3.00 pm
  • Frequency: Weekly

Spanish Conversation

Leader: Marta Duenas

A conversation group for people with a workable knowledge of Spanish. Please contact the group leader for an assessment of your level before deciding whether to join.

  • Online using Zoom
  • Start date: 27 January 2021
  • When: Wednesday 5.00–6.00 pm
  • Frequency: Weekly

Yiddish Conversation

Leader: Cyril Ruttenberg

A fortnightly meeting for those who can speak and/or understand Yiddish.

  • Online using Zoom
  • When: Monday 2.00–3.30 pm
  • Frequency: Fortnightly