Conversation Groups
Conversation Groups meet weekly to practice English, make friends and learn about life in Ann Arbor. They are always fun, and everyone learns a lot! Some groups will remain on Zoom and some are back to meeting in-person, outdoors as often as possible.
Beginners English: Every Monday, 9:30 am - 11 am. Meets on Zoom.
All Levels English: Every Tuesday, 9:30 am -11:30 am. Meets in person (children are welcome).
Intermediate English: Every Tuesday, 1 pm - 3 pm. Meets on Zoom.
Intermediate English: Every Wednesday, 9:30 am - 11 am. Meets on Zoom
Intermediate English: Every Thursday, 1 :30 pm - 3:30 pm. Meets in person.
Discussion Groups
Discussion Groups meet once or twice a month to discuss topics or films. Meetings give women from around the world a chance to learn about each other and each other’s cultures. Discussions take place in the language of the group (English, French, German, and Spanish).
Topic Group (Advanced English): First and Third Wednesday, 1 pm - 3 pm. We meet and discuss topics suggested by our members. Everyone takes a turn speaking. It is very informal and fun.
What’s Happening - Current Events Group (Intermediate English): Second and Fourth Monday, 1 pm - 2:15 pm. This is a small group that meets in a local tea cafe to discuss current events happening in the world around us - both local and farther afield! We always welcome new members to our very interesting group!
Film Group One (Advanced English): First and Third Thursday, 7:30 pm -10 pm. Our diverse group of women enjoy watching international movies that have been recommended by members. Each alternate meeting we discuss a topic relevant to the movie we have just watched. Our long traditions include several special events, such as an Annual Picnic, Oscar Contest, and White Elephant Sale. All dependent on current health guidelines.
Film Group Two (Advanced English): First and Third Friday, 12:30 pm - 4 pm. We meet at members’ homes. We have a sign-up sheet for members to supply light refreshments. Our films begin promptly at 1 pm followed by a discussion that generally lasts until 4 pm. All films are either in spoken English or English subtitles. We view a variety of films from around the world. We do not view films with graphic violence, however some films have contained war-related bloodshed.
French Group: First and Third Tuesday, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Les réunions du groupe de discussion française sont le premier et le troisième mardi soir du mois pendant l’année scolaire. Nous nous réunissons chez les membres, et un autre membre apporte quelques gourmandises. Nous espérons que les membres du groupe peuvent tenir le rôle d’hôtesse ou d’assistante une ou deux fois chaque année. Le troisième mardi du mois nous discutons sur un sujet choisi, par exemple, une région de la France ou les traditions de jours de fêtes.
German Group: First and Third Monday, 1 pm - 3 pm. This group welcomes native and nonnative speakers to share their thoughts about topics of general interest and German and American culture. Members support each other to stay connected to their home country and to adjust and feel at home abroad. Everyone has a great opportunity to improve their knowledge of the German language.
Spanish Group: Second and Fourth Tuesday, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm. We are a group of Spanish speakers, many of whom are native speakers from many different countries. However, the group has a number of members who are Spanish speakers of varying abilities. We meet from late September through late May or early June, sometimes in the afternoon and sometimes in the evening, in order to meet our members’ needs. We meet at different homes, socialize while we eat whatever the hostess has prepared as well as food contributions from other members. With few exceptions, there is an announced topic of conversation for the last hour of the meeting.
Reading Groups
Reading Groups focus on reading mostly fiction and non-fiction books. The groups are divided into intermediate, high-intermediate, and advanced reading material. Some groups may include children.
These groups meet twice a month.
Intermediate Reading Group: --Intermediate Reading Group: First and Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Zoom. This group uses intermediate fluency in communication. Members are expected to read 50-60 pages of a book (fiction or nonfiction) before each meeting.
Intermediate (High) Reading Group: Second and Fourth Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. on Zoom.This group uses intermediate to advanced fluency in communication. Members are expected to read 50-60 pages of a book (fiction or nonfiction) before each meeting. Unfamiliar vocabulary, grammar and idioms are often discussed.
Advanced Reading Group: Second and Fourth Thursday, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm. This year’s group is specifically designed for women interested in reading and discussing a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction books (we typically cover the gamut!). We will be covering American literature books and foreign literature translated into English. However, given the advanced subject material, participation will require advanced English/fluency skills to fully engage. Members of the group take turns leading the discussion for each meeting’s book/topic area. All books should also be readily available at local libraries for check-out.
Monthly Advanced Reading Group: Second Friday of the month, 2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. This group meets once a month in person to discuss a variety of fiction and non-fiction books. We typically read one book a month although we might take two months or longer, for more in-depth reads. Members help in selecting the books and leading the discussions, although not everyone is required to lead a discussion. In addition to discussing books, we enjoy sharing about our families, our cultures, and our community!
Special Interests
Special Interest Groups offer a wide range of activities including food groups, arts and crafts, music and singing, exercise and fitness and fun excursions. Participants meet together in groups to cook, knit, make music, hike and eat dinner at local restaurants and go on outings for games, etc.
All activities provide great opportunities for women to talk and make new friends. Groups meet weekly, twice a month or monthly.
Lunch and Learn Group: First Friday, 11 am - 1:30 pm. An opportunity for a potluck lunch at the leaders’ homes or a gathering at a local restaurant. Discussion of topics relating to food, culture & travel.
Vegetarian Cooking Group: Second Monday, 10:30 am – 1 pm. The group is for vegetarian and non-vegetarian women who would like to learn more about vegetarian cooking. It’s important to have women from many countries, so we learn about food from different cultures. We take turns making vegetarian dishes and bringing them (or demonstrating how to make them) at our meetings.
International Cooking Group One: Second Friday, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Meetings will begin at 9:30 am at the leader’s home and will end around 12:30 pm, after the group has consumed the food prepared that day. Each member will “demonstrate” by preparing typical dishes of her home country (using ingredients brought by her). Members will be selected from all those who sign up in a manner that maximizes the variety of nationalities.
International Cooking Group Two: Third Friday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm. Meetings will begin at 9:30 am at the leader’s home and will end around 12:30 pm, after the group has consumed the food prepared that day. Each member will “demonstrate” by preparing typical dishes of her home country (using ingredients brought by her). Members will be selected from all those who sign up in a manner that maximizes the variety of nationalities.
Knitting Group: Second and Fourth Thursday, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. The group is for women who CAN knit. You don’t need to know a lot, just how to knit and purl. We share patterns and help you improve your skills. You purchase your own yarn and needles. We have pattern books, etc. that you can borrow. We have supplies to use for practice. We meet in a craft room for two hours. Come when you can and stay for one or two hours.
Let's Make Music Group: First and Third Tuesday, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm. We will have fun sharing music from around the world – learning songs from a variety of cultures – both traditional and current. Please join us if you play an instrument or enjoy singing.
Hiking Group One (Year Round): Every Monday, 10 am - 12 pm. We meet at local parks year round, weather permitting. An email is sent to group members on Saturday with the location. We hike for 1 ½ - 2 hours, sometimes we go up steep hills. We take a break halfway. No one hikes alone and we talk as we walk. Come when you can, but arrive by 10 am because we leave on time.
Hiking Group Two (Late March through November): Second and Fourth Thursday, 1 pm - 3 pm. We walk for about 1 1/2 hours twice a month weather permitting. In the cooler weather, we begin at 1 pm and in the hotter months, we begin at 10 am. The group meets at different locations in the Ann Arbor area. On the Sunday before the hike, the next location and directions are sent to members. Come when you can, but come on time as we leave promptly. *OK for children, but not toddlers, because some of the trails are uneven and not good for strollers.
Stroller Walking Group (Year Round): Every Thursday, 10:30 am - 11:30 am. We meet for a 1-hour walk, March through November, weather permitting. An email will be sent the week prior to the meeting with the location. Come when you can, but arrive by 10:30 am because we leave on time.*** Children are included in this group, bring your stroller or your carrier, if your toddler would like to walk we can include some slow walking time towards the end of the walk for them. Optional: Stay afterward to play.
Chat and Chew Group (Mostly Year Round): First Tuesday, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Join this fun and active group to get to know each other and establish lasting friendships in a casual environment. The meetings will be at coffee shops, restaurants, bistro’s, etc. We decide on the next place to visit at the end of each meetup.
Fun and Games Group (Mostly Year Round): Third Wednesday, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. We are a fun-loving group that enjoys a variety of activities, all accompanied by constant conversation and food, if possible! We might meet at the home of a member or meet about town. Examples of things we’ve done in the past year: Bowling, Summer Festival, Halloween Craft Night, Pickleball, Word Games, Swimming, Board Games at Blom, etc.
Cultural Encounters
Once a month - Friday from 12 pm - 2 pm. We learn from each other by comparing the social aspects of our own cultures. How large a factor is community opinion versus individual choice? Is being on time important? What about authority and relationships? What is a typical wedding ceremony like? How are people and nature connected in various cultures? Get the insights into all the dos and don’ts of our very unique countries, ask questions and broaden your world knowledge in a very relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Children are always welcome. All are invited to join our Cultural Encounters group meetings. Meeting for a two-hour program once a month, we feature a different culture with a lively discussion about what makes it unique and have a delicious sampling of food associated with the culture. In the past we had encounters featuring Indonesia, Kazakhstan, India, Poland, Japan and Somalia. Thank you to all our wonderful hostesses! Other ideas are very welcome. Learn by Comparing Cultures.
Tea Groups
International Neighbors began in a Tea Group over 60 years ago when an American lady invited international friends to her house for coffee and conversation. After that the international guests felt more at home in Ann Arbor, so many miles from friends and families in their own countries.
What makes a Tea Group special is the core group of friends who stay together year after year, welcoming a new group of guests each fall to join them at different hostess’ houses. Think of it as being part of a multi-generational family with grandmothers, young mothers and everything in between. Children are always welcome. And such strong friendships cannot break apart even in a pandemic.
Tea Group One (AAH): Second Tuesday, 10 am
Tea Group Two (AAW): Second Wednesday, 1 pm
Tea Group Three (BP): Second Thursday, 9:30 am
Tea Group Four (ANG): Second Thursday, 1:15 pm
Tea Group Five (WW): Third Monday, 9:30 am
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