Who We Are

Committed to First-rate English Language Education

��ý believes that the greatest obstacle to school improvement is professional isolation. As widely varying in structure and style as our member institutions may be, we share the challenges and opportunities of conducting education in France, and our commitment to first-rate English language education means that we have much to learn from one another.

Become a member

��ý France provided a much needed network and professional support when I first started teaching here, and I want you to know the importance of the role you have in the development of international teachers.

Vision

Connect, Communicate, Cultivate and Collaborate.

Our vision is to inspire and support our member schools through educational and networking opportunities and to set a standard of reference that ensures high quality teaching and learning in English in France.

Mission

To facilitate and encourage communication, cooperation, and collaboration

To create a dynamic network of administrators, teachers, and students

To coordinate interscholastic activities for students

To offer inspiring professional growth opportunities

To share innovative resources and to provide opportunities to share resources

To liaise with regional, national, and professional entities in France.

Our Story

An informal organisation called ELSPA (English Language Schools of the Paris Area) has existed for the last twenty years acting as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas on English schooling in the Paris region. In 1996, in response to the desire of many ��ýPA member schools to enlarge the scope of the organisation, ELSPA decided to become an 1901 Association with a electd board, a budget and an office with secretarial support. In 1995, a successful one-day Teach-in for in-service teacher training was held at the CIEP, soon to become the TDD: Teacher Development Day.

Meet the Board

Liana Colas

President,

Head of Languages, Collège-Lycée La Tour

David Johnson

Vice President,

Director, International School of Lyon

Brian Brazeau

Treasurer,

Director, American Section

Anne-Claire Malherbe

Secretary,

Director, Malherbe International School

Antoine Delaitre

Vice President,

Head, International School of Paris

Jeff Chahda

Vice-Secretary,

Head, Lennen Middle School

Daniela Bruneau

Executive Secretary,

Director, American School of Paris Extension Program

Nancy WIllard-Magaud

Special Advisor to the Board,

Director Emeritus, American Section,
Lycée International

Donnamarie O'Reilly

Head of Anglophone Section, Institut Notre Dame

Become a member

I wish to join the association

Volunteers

Antony McDermott

Chair, TDD Program Committee, Poetry by Heart High School Coordinator

Jenny Lawson

TDD Program Committee

Anne Clow

TDD Program Committee

Kate Freile Hickey

TDD Program Committee

David Hanson

TDD Program Committee

Chelsea Kaspereit

Poetry By Heart Middle School Coordinator

Anne-Claire Malherbe

Poetry By Heart Lower School Coordinator

Dannielle Gadd

Social Media for Elsa France

��ý's Latest News

📢📣 Booking for Teacher Development Day 2025 is LIVE!

Nov 14, 2024

Registration is open for this year’s ��ý Teacher Development Day 2025: Pathway to Progress: Empowering Educators for Today’s Classrooms. We have a fantastic lineup of expert speakers ready to share their insights, strategies, and practical ideas with you. Please take a look at the full range...

Universal Design by Learning for Language Learners with Beth Stark.

Nov 14, 2024

Webinar with Beth Stark on Thursday, January 16th, 2025 from 5pm-6:30 pm, to be delivered on Zoom. A 90 minute Universal Design for Learning (UDL) overview with high-impact low prep approaches for leveraging LUDIA for identifying and reducing barriers for language learners.

Join us on J...

Last days to register for ��ý’s Poetry by Heart Competitions.

Nov 11, 2024

An enriching and enjoyable experience for students and their teachers. Starting at primary level through high school. The overall winner is invited to the UK final in London.

To register: /poetry-by-heart/

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New member schools in 2024

Oct 20, 2024

��ý welcomes two member schools:
Ecole Koenig and Sainte Marie de Neuilly.

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New school leaders in 2024

Oct 20, 2024

Misha Simmonds, American School of Paris
Antoine Delaitre, International School of Paris

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AGM & Heads’ Lunch

Oct 20, 2024

25 school leaders got together on October 11th, 2024 for ��ý’s AGM and Heads’ Luncheon.

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Poetry by Heart – The Story

Oct 5, 2023

��ý Poetry by Heart France is now into its 10th year and what a year it has been. The competition here in France has continued to grow since we began way back in 2015 with just a handful of Parisian schools taking part in the High School competition. We now have more schools involved than ever...

New Member School Union School

Oct 5, 2023

Union school in Paris joins ��ý on 2023. We are pleased to welcome the head of school, Barbara de Baudry d'Asson, and her team to our network.

Become a volunteer for our 2023-2024 events

Sep 14, 2023

Join a vibrant community of dedicated professionals in international education, grow professionally and share your expertise.To apply, fill in the online form on the "Become a volunteer" page. To volunteer in 2023-2024, please write to: info@elsa-france.org

Speaker applications for our Teacher Development Day event 23 march 2023

Sep 14, 2023

The TDD Program Committee is accepting speaker submissions for the March 23rd 2024 annual conference. Please submit proposals including a brief bio and abstract to Antony McDermott: a.mcdermott@ejm.net Deadline October 15th 2023