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The April read for the bookclub is « The Razor’s Edge » by W. Somerset Maugham.

Larry Darrell is a young American in search of the absolute. The progress of this spiritual odyssey involve him with some of Maugham’s most brilliant characters – his fiancee Isabel, whose choice between love and wealth have lifelong repercussions, and Elliot Templeton, her uncle, a classic expatriate American snob. The most ambitious of Maugham’s novels, this is also one in which Maugham himself plays a considerable part as he wanders in and out of the story, to observe his characters struggling with their fates.

For any inquiries about joining the book club please send an email by clicking here.

The library is an authorised test center for the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test (the Test of English for International Communication). For more information please visit our TOEIC page or to sign up go to the official ETS website.

« Springtime in the States » is a 3-day English-learning workshop for teenagers (ages 12 to 14). Participants learn English in a fun, interactive way with games, songs and activities with lots of talking and moving around! The workshop will be at the library for three consecutive afternoons: Tuesday, April 16th, Wednesday, April 17th and Thursday, April 18th from 3 to 6 PM.

Please contact the front desk to sign up by phone: 02 41 24 97 07 or email: info@ellia.org. Limited to 15 participants so sign-up fast! Cost is 75 euros (includes snack, materials and library membership).

The film club presents a film in English once a month on a Saturday afternoon. This showing will be of « Maurice, » a 1987 British romantic drama film based on the novel by E. M. Forster. It is a tale of gay love in early 20th-century England. The story follows its main character, Maurice Hall, through university, a tumultuous relationship, struggling to fit into society, and ultimately being united with his life partner. The film stars James Wilby as Maurice, Hugh Grant as Clive and Rupert Graves as Alec. Watch the trailer here.

Screening begins at 3 o’clock sharp and will be followed by a discussion in English. This activity is free and open to all library members. If possible, please reserve by signing up at the front desk. 

The Internet is wonderful and can answer all your questions. For most of us, it is the main source for news. Indeed, we have immediate access to plenty of media from different parts of the world. But can they all be trusted? Using different sources and media, the press review helps you to find your way through the news and be well-informed. This is an informal sharing and discussion of the news in English. Please feel free to bring in an article that you would like to share with the other members of the group.

Meetings are held on Saturdays from 2-3pm. Upcoming dates are April 13^th and May 18^th

This activity, free for library members, is organized by freelance journalist and library volunteer: Isma Hassaine-Poirier.

Treat yourself to an afternoon of a collective reading of Shakespeare’s « Taming of the Shrew ». This activity consists of watching a BBC production on DVD and then reading relative scenes. This is a great activity for lovers of language and fans of the great wit. The activity is free for library members. Please sign-up by emailing group leader John Barritt here.

Please note that the session of Friday 12 April has been cancelled and replaced by this date.

Come along and bring your knitting,

Have a natter while you’re sitting,

Or learn to knit with wool provided,

Needles loaned and stitches guided.

Knitted garments are très chic,

So be in vogue and start this week.

Knit and Natter is a free activity, open to all library members. No need to reserve, just come and enjoy! If anyone has some extra wool please bring it in. The Knitting group has a project knitting twiddle muffs and are looking for bits and pieces of washable wool.

This is a special moment when the community comes together to talk about anything and everything (in English of course!) over a cup of coffee or tea. Coffee House is free and open to all library members. Just drop by, no need to reserve!

The garden club invites you to discover the beautiful gardens in the area! This free activity is open to library members and offers visits once a month to a garden between April and October. For more information and/or to sign up for this visit please send an email to gardenclub@ellia.org.

If you love needlecraft, this activity is for you! Each participant will make a textile creation of their choice, (bag, pouch, wall tapestry, whatever you fancy!) all while exchanging different techniques in English.

Bring your own materials and join us at the library from 2 to 4 p.m. Free to library members. Please sign up at the front desk, when possible.