Who We Are
Committed to First-Rate English Language Education
ELSA (English Language Schools Association) is the national association for international and bilingual schools in France. We believe schools do their best work when they learn from one another, rather than working in isolation. Although our member institutions vary widely in structure and style, we share the same challenges and opportunities of working within the French education context. That shared experience and our commitment to high-quality English language education is what drives our professional development work.
ELSA 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.
Our 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.
Our 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 ELSAPA 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
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
Our Volunteers
Antony McDermott
Chair, TDD Program Committee, Poetry by Heart High School Coordinator
Laura Friday
TDD Program Committee
Anne Clow
TDD Program Committee
Kate Freile Hickey
TDD Program Committee
Chelsea Kaspereit
Poetry By Heart Middle School Coordinator
Dannielle Gadd
Social Media for Elsa France
Our Member Schools
ELSA’s Latest News
ELSA Teacher Development Day 2027
Mark your calendars: ELSA’s Teacher Development Day (TDD) returns on Saturday, March 13th, 2027 at the International School of Paris. TDD is the premier English-language […] Read more
AGM & Heads' Luncheon
ELSA France’s Annual General Meeting and Heads’ Luncheon will take place on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 at La Petite Tour. The AGM is your opportunity […] Read more
Cambridge International Round Table at ELSA TDD
As part of ELSA’s cooperation with Cambridge International, we are pleased to offer a round table on March 14th, 2026 from 1:15–2:15 as part of […] Read more
Poetry By Heart Workshop Funded by Jeannine Manuel
We are delighted to announce that the 2026 Poetry By Heart events, including a very special workshop with Julie Blake, are funded by the Fondation […] Read more
ELSA Partners with the International Baccalaureate
We are pleased to share that ELSA is now an official partner of the International Baccalaureate Organization. The International Baccalaureate Organization will offer expertise and […] Read more
International Education group from Cambridge Sponsors TDD
ELSA is thrilled to announce that The International Education group from Cambridge will be the official sponsor of the upcoming Teacher Development Day (TDD) 2026. […] Read more
Join the ELSA 2026 Poetry by Heart Competitions
There is still time to register for the Poetry by Heart Competitions. Encourage your students to celebrate poetry and performance this March. Competition Dates and […] Read more
Join ELSA's 2026 Teacher Development Day (TDD)
Mark your calendars for the next ELSA Teacher Development Day (TDD), taking place on March 14th, 2026, at the International School of Paris. The TDD […] Read more
Emilie Bateson at ELSA Lifelong Learning Lab 2026
ELSA is delighted to welcome Emilie Bateson from Ermitage International School to present at the ELSA Lifelong Learning Lab 2026. With over 20 years of […] Read more
International Schools Lead ELSA Learning Lab
We are thrilled that International School of Paris is hosting ELSA’s Lifelong Learning Lab this spring at the Middle School Cortambert Campus. We are also […] Read more
Emma Carralón on Technology in Education – Lifelong Learning Lab
Emma Carralón, Head of Digital Learning at The British School of Paris, is an EDUtech leader driving innovation in technology in education, with a focus […] Read more
Eugene Collins at the Lifelong Learning Lab
We’re pleased to welcome Eugene Collins from Berlin Metropolitan School to present at the ELSA Lifelong Learning Lab 2026 on Saturday, March 14. With over […] Read more
Anne van Dam at the Lifelong Learning Lab
We’re excited to feature Anne van Dam at the Lifelong Learning Lab this March. Anne brings over three decades of international experience in early childhood […] Read more