After approximately 18 months of learning Italian from beginners’ level, I had my first experience of a language course conducted abroad in August 2013. Prior to the course, I did feel slightly nervous, but happily went along with an open mind. Through Jane’s hard work and organisation I felt the course was an absolute success. My pre-trip nerves were in vain- I had a brilliant time, and expanded not only my Italian language skills but also my friendship circle as everyone in the group got on so well. The balance between classroom learning and actives was good – the ‘educational trips’ were well selected, especially the wine tasting visit to the vineyard, which was great fun!
I would highly recommend this value -for- money course to other students – the mix of language abilities within our group were all catered for well. We had sunshine, wine, cheese, ice cream – It was a brilliant learning experience!
We attended the course organised by Jane and her friend and colleague, Debora Chellini-Giomi, based in Lido di Jesolo in 2010. Our goal was to improve our spoken and conversational Italian beyond what we had achieved in our weekly classroom efforts. We succeeded and both of us noticed a vast change by the end of the week. The small size of the class helped to include everyone and exclude no one. Additionally, the mixed abilities of the students helped to bring everybody along, particularly encouraging for the less-experienced in the class. The aim of the course – to improve one’s use of the spoken language and to experience something of everyday Italy – is well balanced between classroom-style lessons and time spent in the Italian environment. Trips to Venice and the islands of Murano and Burano were organised to enhance the experience of learning and to set it into a cultural context.
The course itself is designed with the students in mind and to allow them to maximise the enjoyment of learning the language whilst acknowledging also that it is a holiday. As a way of improving one’s knowledge and use of the language, it is highly recommended.
In June 2009 I also attended a five day course in Castiglioncello which improved my conversation and comprehension skills far beyond expectation.
Jane has been teaching us Italian for almost three years and we have just completed her 5 day language course in the Veneto region. It really is one of the best and most pleasurable ways to learn, being totally immersed into the Italian language and way of life. With Jane’s connections we also had the benefit of an additional tutor with whom Jane insisted and encouraged the use of Italian at all times. A most valuable, productive and enjoyable learning experience, as are all her lessons.
I thoroughly enjoyed our linguistic trip to Florence where we had the opportunity of seeing sites associated with Dante Alighieri. The trip was also valuable to us because Jane was so disciplined in making us speak only in Italian to each other, which, somehow, felt natural in the appropriate setting of the country. We realised we learned quite a lot in the year to be able to sustain the conversation in the course of 3 days!
For the last three summers Jane and her teacher friend Debora Chellini-Giomi have organised a short course in Tuscany. I have attended all three courses and have found them well organised, instructive, and interesting. A great way to improve your spoken Italian. I recommend these courses.
I spent an enjoyable and instructive Sunday afternoon in July 2014 at an Italian conversation class with Jane and her Italian colleague, Cristina. With only 4 students and 2 teachers, each of us had plenty of opportunity to speak Italian. There was a programme for the day so we could prepare for the conversation beforehand, and we covered many different subjects, such as politics, food and sport. Both teachers were excellent, and supplemented each other perfectly. It was a brilliant afternoon. I had fun. I learnt a lot and, most importantly, gained confidence in speaking Italian. Thank you Jane and Cristina.
I went to a 3 hour Italian conversation class held on a Sunday in March . We were 5 students and the teacher, Jane. Jane had organised the session expertly and time simply flew by while we were speaking and learning Italian. It was very enjoyable experience from which I benefited hugely. Thank you Jane.
I am studying Italian with Jane and attend regular lessons in a small group of students. Jane offered an opportunity to attend 3 hours conversation and 5 students chose to take part in this special morning. Although I was the person with least experience of speaking in Italian I gained much from both listening and taking part in the different and interesting subjects Jane had chosen for us. She enabled us all to feel at ease and be able to have a go at speaking and I will certainly choose to take part again if the opportunity arises.
Jane and Cristina, her Italian colleague had prepared an excellent afternoon’s discussion group where we talked about Italian politics/Italian proverbs connected to food followed on by exchanging recipes of our favourite foods and recollected special meals we had enjoyed in Italy. It was, as usual, a very informative and useful lesson.