Our Head Office, Dartmouth House, is open to members and their friends from Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 18h00.
Much fun was had by the 42 members and friends who attended the Christmas lunch and celebrations at the Restaurant “Le Tablier de Marie” in Juigné-sur-Loire, Saturday 7 December.
Tables around the room had been beautifully decorated by several members with greenery, baubles and fir cones in abundance: a perfect setting for the entertainment which was provided by members and non-members and encompassed renditions of Christmas songs on the guitar, poetry reading, sketches and carol singing, included a most original version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”.
The meal was excellent, and a great time was had by all. A huge “thank you” to all who contributed to the great success of this event that was so enjoyable for all who attended and a huge “Happy Christmas” to all who read this.
The Regional Public Speaking Competition for 2025 will take place in the Salons de la Présidence at the Préfecture, Place Michel Debré, Angers, during the afternoon of 15 March.
The 2024 Regional Public Speaking Competition in English took place in the Salons de la Présidence at the Préfecture, Place Michel Debré, Angers, during the afternoon of 23 March 2024, when 11 candidates presented their speeches on the theme “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”.
This year, teachers from 7 lycées in the region worked with their students towards the competition:
3 candidates were selected by the jury to represent the ESU Loire Valley in the national finals, 6th April, at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, when a total of 11 candidates representing this region, Aix-Marseille, and the Paris region, will compete to represent France in London at the ESU international public speaking competition in May.
Our thanks to the judges and teachers involved and to our partners, the Bibliothèque Anglophone in Angers, and the Maison de l’Europe Maine et Loire – Europe Direct, for their work prior to, and during the competition.
The National Competiton for 2025 will take place in the Salons at the Assemblée Nationale, Paris, on 5 April.
The regional competition 2024 took place 23 March 2024, and the lycées involved were: the Lycées Emmanuel Mounier, Joachim du Bellay, Sacré-Cœur La Salle, and Saint Benoît/Site Université, in Angers, the Lycée Dom Sortais in Beaupréau-en-Mauges, and the Lycée Saint-Louis in Saumur. The theme was: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”.
The national competition took place 6 April. The judges were unanimous in selecting Mickael Naouri from the Ecole Jeannine Manuel in Paris to represent France at the IPSC in London 13 – 17 May 2024.
Our Head Office, Dartmouth House, is open to members and their friends from Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 18h00.
The in-house catering is provided by Graysons who serve delicious menus with mouth-watering options for breakfast, with an array of tempting small plates and sharing dishes at lunchtime, not to mention cakes and afternoon tea and tipples. There is something for every occasion and every appetite and the excellent food on offer helps make Dartmouth House the vibrant and inclusive setting for the ESU’s charitable work it has always been.
Staff at head office look forward to greeting ESU members in 2025 and wish to remind everyone that membership fees help to provide young people with the life-changing speaking and listening skills and cross-cultural understanding they need to achieve their full potential and to change their lives and communities for the better.
A message from Miles Young, Chair of the English-Speaking Union:
I am delighted to let you know that, in the Birthday Honours announced on 15 June 2024, His Majesty The King awarded our Director-General, Charles Byrne, the honour of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
The honour was granted to acknowledge Charles’s service to veterans in his previous post as Director-General of the Royal British Legion. ‘I am humbled to receive this honour which reflects the efforts and commitment of the many people – members, volunteers and staff – who work for that great organisation,’ says Charles. ‘I firmly believe we are at our best and most effective when we work in the service of others and am excited to be embarking on a new challenge with the English-Speaking Union, making sure young people have the listening and speaking skills, and the international cultural understanding and friendships they need to thrive.’
On behalf of all of us at the ESU, I send our congratulations to Charles for this well-deserved recognition, and we look forward to working with him as he leads the ESU into its next chapter.
Miles Young,
Chair, English-Speaking Union
The unique English Speaking Union residential summer school, Debate Academy, takes place every year in August at Stamford School in Lincolnshire. This friendly, immersive summer school for 14- to 18- year olds offers top-quality coaching in debate to all ability levels. It’s a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange, in a supportive and fun environment.
If you would like to send a student to Debate Academy, full information and booking can be found online here: https://www.esu.org/programmes/debate-academy/
ESU US hosted this year’s International Council Meeting (ICM) in Cleveland, where international delegates from around the world came together for three days of engaging and lively discussions.
The next ICM will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 29th September to 2nd October 2025.
Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 18h00. “Civil Law vs Common Law”
A discussion between ESU member, Jacqueline Lafon, who taught the history of Law at the Sorbonne and Howard Norman, Avocat à la Cour, a member of the Oxford Society.
The two great judicial systems of the Western world reflect two different worlds: the French world and the English-speaking world. But where does the difference come from? To find out, it appears we must step back as far as 1081….
Mairie du 7ème arrondissement (Hôtel de Villars)
116 rue de Grenelle PARIS 75007
on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 6.30pm
For details of how to register contact ljloussouarn@free.fr before 25 January.
Tuesday 2 April at 6.30 pm Sophie Loussouarn will talk about the links between France and England that were reinforced by the Entente Cordiale in April 1904.
The next monthly English conversation evening, the “English Café”, will take place at the “Café de l’Horloge”, 2 cours Gambetta, 33400, Talence, Wednesday 15 January 2025, from 7.30pm – 10.30pm.
For further information, contact ESU Bordeaux: esubordeaux@gmail.com
Awaiting update.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 • 10:00 pm CET
Sponsored by the ESU Charlottesville, VA Branch
Katherine Carter, longstanding curator of the Churchill family’s country home, will present her pivotal new account of Churchill’s activities during the 1930s, highlighting how Chartwell, his rural residence, became the epicentre of his anti-Nazi endeavours.
To register: https://esuus-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_abhKA0FiQPifpsyg0y0n2A
Alternatively, to watch the recording contact: http://www.esuus.org/esu/activities/happy-hour
Happy Hour
The ESU USA is streaming a series of talks that are engaging, fun, and informative. Speakers are live and cover a wide range of topics. All free of charge. The custom is for speakers to suggest a unique cocktail to create and enjoy at home during the talk, hence the name “Happy Hour”.
Sessions are recorded and can be viewed at any time.
For more details: http://www.esuus.org/esu/activities/happy-hour
ESU Australia has 5 branches: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia & Victoria.
For details of activities organised by all branches contact Chris Perriam, chairman of ESU South Australia: perriamci@bigpond.com.au
A reminder to all that once you have subscribed to the ESU you can pay members’ rates to attend events organised by any branch in France or elsewhere in the world.
A full list of member countries can be found on the main website: simply click the continent you are looking for under ‘Show Me’ at the top of the page: https://www.esu.org/international-network/
Don’t forget to check out the other sites on our Links page.
60 rue Boisnet, 49100 Angers
Open to the public: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 13h00 to 18h00 and Thursday 18h00 to 19h00
Meet the New Library Director Mandy Torsey-Guillet, shown here on the left with retiring director, Phoebe Marshall-Raimbeau.
For more details of the many social activities that are available through the library, please contact the front desk on 02.41.24.97.07, or consult the website.
Follow the links to registration forms for language-learning activities.
The website www.ellia.org gives details and links to registration for these and many other activities.
This activity offers students in secondary education the opportunity to speak and to interact in English within a small group. Weekly 45-minute sessions will be organized around various games and conversation topics.
Sessions will take place every Wednesday from 2 to 2:45 PM at the library (except during school holidays) between 25 September 2024, and 11 June 2025.
The cost is 160 € for the year. (Please note students must be library members to participate and the annual library membership fee is not included)
The library has launched a reading challenge, inviting everyone to read (at least) 12 books in English throughout 2025.
This year's theme? Read Around the World!
This January head to Latin America. To inspire your travels, the library has six captivating books that are set in Latin America, penned by Latin American authors, or alternatively explore the rich culture and history of the region. All titles are available in our collection—visit the display at the front of the library to discover more!
Nine years ago, France launched a national festival called “Les Nuits de la Lecture”. The library is participating once again in this event which takes place in bookshops and libraries throughout France.
Special Nuit de la Lecture Events :
22 January, 18.30 – 19.30
Explore the transformative power of music through the lens of fiction.
Readings from the works of Richard Powers and Sherman Alexie will be accompanied by musical illustrations by our guest speaker, Nathanael de Vries.
Location: The library
Free and open to the public. No reservation necessary.
25 January, 15.30 – 16.15
Come dressed in pyjamas and bring your pillow and a blanket so you can cozy up at the library and listen to stories in English followed by a snack.
Location: The library
Registration required. Free and open to the public
Readings in English (16+)
Join us as we read aloud from our most popular books in English.
Location: The library
Free and open to the public.
The library is a certified TOEIC testing centre and we are now offering computer-based exams.
For more information please visit the TOEIC page or to sign up go to the official ETS website.
Location: ISTOM campus
Sunday, 19 January, 5.00pm
A concert featuring Ashish Sarwate, an Indian musician – more accurately a dhrupadiya. Dhrupad is the oldest known style of major vocal style associated with Hindustani classical music and is sung throughout the Indian subcontinent. Ashish will play his guitar, especially modified to suit Dhrupad, and will present a repertoire mixing classical music, sacred music and improvisation. He will be accompanied by Clotilde Noël playing the tanpura, a long-necked stringed instrument resembling a sitar.
To book tickets: telephone 06 63 07 60 43 or email: prieuredebreuilbellay@gmail.com
Cost is 12€ per head, 10€ for under 16s, students, job seekers and members of the Association des Amis du Prieuré.
The association is currently seeking dynamic, creative, volunteers aged between 16 and 25, prepared to spend 24 hours a week from November 2024 for a period of 8 months working with the Service Civique to increase awareness of the European Union among young people. Remuneration: 619,83€ a month.
Full details from either:
or email maisondeleurope49@gmail.com
Slightly out of our normal area, but members who enjoy sharing the French language and culture may be interested in this coffee morning in Vihiers.
For more information on any of the following please contact:
01 49 55 73 00
contact@britishcouncil.fr
Holiday Events for the Young
If you are in Paris and wish to occupy your child during the coming holidays and to help them improve their understanding of the English language, reserve a place on a training session:
Renewal of our partnership with Cned to provide “English for Schools”
The Cned provides distance learning opportunities throughout France. Thanks to a new partnership, the British Council contributes resources for learning and teaching English for pupils, parents and teachers. More details can be found on the Cned site English for Schools
Series of Online Training Sessions for Primary School Teachers
A series of 4 free training sessions for teachers in primary schools is planned every Tuesday in November 2024 between 17h30 and 18h30 via Zoom. Increasingly, non-linguistic subjects, e.g. maths, sport, are taking place in English and the aim is to assist all who are currently practising this and to encourage those who are contemplating doing so.
Sessions will be led by a team from Norwich Institute for Language Education. All who take part in the sessions will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
More details are available: https://www.britishcouncil.fr/events/webinaires-dnl
Do you like singing in French and in English? The Loire Valley Voices choristers have a repertoire that includes pieces by the Beatles, Sting, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Womach, Laurent Voulzy. They would welcome new members to their multicultural group, led by choirmaster, Stéphane Claire, who encourages each individual to find their true voice.
For more details please contact sylvie.reeves@club-internet.fr
Join our community of bilingual (English/French) families in the greater Angers area for fun outdoor activities this summer. If you’d like to attend any (or all!) of the events, email Hilary Hodge at hilarylynnehodge@gmail.com. She will send out an email before each event with more details.
The regional education board, the Académie de Nantes, is currently looking to recruit native English speakers to become full time or part time English teachers, either on a temporary or permanent basis.
They are looking for people from a whole range of different backgrounds, such as legal, medical, athletic, military, tourism, etc. Applicants can select the region in which they would prefer to work. If this is of interest, you can get in touch with the Académie via this link.
You will be asked for a CV, a short letter of motivation and your qualifications. If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an interview during which all details will be fully explained.
Beauville Arts brings together young people and performing arts professionals to stage inspiring high-quality performances. With an ethos close to that of the ESU, their courses and summer camps “develop talent and boost confidence, helping to create lifelong friendships and precious memories”.
The company works with schools during termtime and provide courses and camps during the holiday period. Themes for 2024 include: The Sound of Music, The Blues Brothers, Grease, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Footloose in Beauville, Shrek and We Will Rock YouSome on the Côte d’Azur, and in Bavaria, Germany, Mary Poppins and High School Musical.
Courses are taught in English and help develop skills in the English language as well as nurturing performing arts talent. More details can be found on the website: https://beauvillearts.com/ or by contacting claire@beauvillearts.com
Daily English is an association that provides French young people with the opportunity to learn English by being immersed in a British family and provides British in France with the means to earn an income by teaching and hosting them. Click here to visit the website.
There’s a clear structure to these visits: the youngsters arrive on Sunday afternoon, and the hosts spend the first evening putting them at ease. From Monday to Friday, there’s a lesson after breakfast each day, then an outing and lunch. In the evenings they all play board games or watch English films. On Saturday, they leave by 11am. Lessons are prepared by Daily English Daily who provide a whole teaching programme and the hosts simply print off what they need.
For more details either on how to host or how to find a suitable placement contact Sally on 04 99 65 21 63 or send an e-mail to sally@dailyenglish.fr
30 Rue de la Petite Bilange, 49400 Saumur
Since September 2021, in association with Language Connexion, this primary school has been offering all its pupils every assistance to learn English from an early age. A young British teaching assistant motivates learning by using songs and rhymes for the early years and by using English to teach various subjects to primary and junior pupils.
WWOOF, or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, is an agricultural exchange that provides hands-on experience and education. WWOOF is not considered “work,” but rather a chance to exchange skills and language while learning about organic types of agriculture. Hosts provide housing, three meals per day, and other educational opportunities.
Typically, WWOOFers are expected to assist with farm work for four hours per day and eat with the hosts. During off-hours and weekends, WWOOFers, individuals with interests in agriculture, ecology, biology, environmental studies, sustainability, food systems, and/or English, can explore the locality.
Monthly skill shares and talks are hosted on the farm and talks are organised to nurture relationships with local universities and agricultural experts.
Asheville, North Carolina
In keeping with Asheville Sister Cities’ continued efforts in developing educational and international exchanges with our sister cities, the Summer Intern, Blake Noble, a UNCA student who is currently living on Peace Rock Farm is excited to offer a one to two-week-long educational and hands-on agricultural exchange program to individuals involved with ASCI through WWOOF.org.
Open to receive WWOOFers for one to two weeks from July – Aug 20th with the possibility of finding a week during UNCA’s School semester (Aug 21 – Nov 24th).
Our hostel-style Bunk has the capacity for 3-4 individuals. The laundry, bathroom, and shower are conveniently located nearby. For WWOOFers’ entertainment, there is also an outdoor movie lounge, a ping-pong table, a rope swing, as well as 50+ acres of land, trails, and winding creeks to explore and learn about!
For more information, email: bnoble@unca.edu
Awaiting update
