Language Groups

Group Contact: Sue Powell

Meetings: 2nd Monday each month 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm

Barker Room, Ashcroft Hall

We are a small group with a broad range of members and all of us came new to BSL. It’s all about learning something new together using a variety of online courses and YouTube resources.

We have covered subjects such as alphabet finger spelling, numbers, colours, time and questions such as 'what, where, when, how, who' etc.

We practice on each other and, as well as the monthly Group meeting, have an informal get together over tea and coffee in Waitrose Café to practice.

First and foremost, it is fun! Any u3a member is very welcome to join our group; dipping in and out as a member is fine.

Group Contact: Elizabeth Swinscoe

Meetings: 3rd Wednesday each month, 2:30 to 4:30

Venue: The Waterloo.

 This group is for those who already have elementary French, but who would like to be able talk more confidently.

Each month we prepare (homework!) and discuss a topic, or we listen to a French guest, or read a short story or play. We aim to improve our understanding of each other’s French; we question each other; we listen to each other.

It is rather strenuous!  English is permitted over the cup of tea!

Group contact:   Debbie Exton

Meeting:   Every 2nd Thursday afternoon

Venue: Member's Home

Group Contact: Suzanne Bottomley

Meeting:  2:30pm every second Thursday

Venue: Local Cirencester cafe 

For members who wish to improve their conversation in a relaxed and friendly group.

Group Contact:   Shan Graebe

Venue:  Member's home

We are a small group of people who are planning to meet together fortnightly to talk Italian in relaxed surroundings. We had an inaugural meeting in December.

The frequency, venue, format of such meetings is being arranged to accommodate as many as possible.

Group Contact:  Liz Applegate. 

Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursdays in the month.

Venue: Members Homes in rotation.

We are a small group as home meetings limit the size. We take turns to lead and turns to host.

We use a tried and tested 'Italianissimo' course to learn basic grammar to reinforce our learning. Homework efforts are shared each week. Our resources are varied – games, stories with audio, crosswords etc.

Actually conversing in this self-help group is the hardest part. But we choose a topic each week so we can prepare new vocabulary and phrases and then try to use them!

If a fluent Italian speaker could ‘drop in’ occasionally for conversation they would be made very welcome!

Group Contact: Maggi Brown

Meetings:  Weekly, 10am Tuesday

Venue:  Zoom

Group Contact:  Jackie Natt

Meetings: See below.

Salve !

Our aim is to learn some Latin just for the fun of it and to get to know how the Romans lived.

Currently, there are three groups which meet at Group Members homes at times which suit everyone.

Latin Group 1 Meets on Monday mornings (as agreed by members) working at 'O Level' standard.

Latin Group 2 Meets on Tuesday mornings (as agreed by members) working towards 'A Level' standard.

Latin Group 3 Meets on Monday afternoons (as agreed by members) for completee beginners.

Please contact Jackie for details of scheduled meetings.. 

Group Contact:  Maureen Folliard.

This small group meets each Monday from 10.00am - 12.00 and is for people who already have some knowledge of Spanish. We work together to make language learning fun by using lots of different activities. These include watching Spanish DVDs and TV programmes, playing language games, listening to CDs and podcasts, using Internet resources and talking and reading in contexts relevant for people visiting Spanish speaking countries. We also use an intermediate level textbook.

If you are interested in joining our group, please contact me. 

Group Contacts:  Sally & Vedant Wood.

Meetings: 2nd and 4th Mondays 2-4pm.

This is for people with some knowledge of Spanish. We use different methods of learning to accommodate people with a range of ability. Sessions are relaxed and we try to make learning fun and help each other.