Ellicott City librarian Linda Williamson, who lived overseas in Germany and Japan in the 1980s and 1990s, remembers how difficult it was to talk to repairmen, or her children's teachers, or visit the doctor's office. Without a command of the language, these were daunting tasks, she said.

While looking for a program for the Miller library branch, Williamson found programs in other libraries for non-native English speakers.

"It just seemed like a great idea, she said. "We have so many people in this area for whom English is a second, a third, or even a fourth language. And it gets difficult after a while."

The English Language Conversation Club, a support group for people who want to practice English, ask advice or share experiences, was scheduled to begin Dec. 11 at the Miller branch. Williamson modeled the group on a Volkshochschule she had heard about in Bad Aibling, Germany: a school in which people from many countries, speaking many languages, learned German together.

"I thought if they could do it, we should be able to do it here," she said.

The December meeting was snowed out - and only one young mother attended, Williamson said. But the meeting has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Not many people have inquired but Williamson hopes the group will fly.

Admission is free. The library is at 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. Information: 410-313- 1950.