Everybody knows that can be one of the most fantastic experiences you can have in your life.
Three days ago, one of my students came back from a memorable, intensive course to learn Italian in Florence.
We
crossed each other on campus while I was walking to teach a Level I
class. She was radiant and fashionably dressed in unmistakably Italian
clothes. Claudia, in her forties, looked ten years younger.
With
curiosity, I asked her how it went in Italy. I have to clarify here that
she took all three Italian levels that I teach at the University of
Houston in the Accelerated Foreign Language Program. And that she was
ready and confident to study for two weeks in Florence in a "total
immersion" program designed for learning and practicing Italian day and
night.
She started to tell me what an incredible time she had.
Unfortunately, we could only chat in fluent Italian for a few minutes
before I had to get to class. We agreed to meet again so she could tell
me more of her adventures in this famous Italian city.
Yesterday
we finally had the opportunity to lunch together, and she gave me a good
overview of her experience in Florence. I appreciated her new Italian
accent. It was outstanding and well above my expectations.
I have
already experienced several methodologies used to ease students into
absorbing and integrating a new language, but I was fascinated by her
enthusiasm for the way it is done at her school in Florence. With her
eagerness and my curiosity, we could have talked for hours and hours.
The
course in Italy is designed to integrate fun and exciting adventures
into the learning process. Shopping, dancing, eating and discovering
unique parts of the city are all activities in a well-designed program. I
was admiring the creators of the course for their capability to combine
study and everyday life in such an impeccable, harmonious balance.
Italians
are known for being great teachers. Creativity and beauty make them
famous all around the world. On top of that, the charming environment of
Florence and the Italian people themselves make, without a doubt,
learning an unforgettable experience.
Here in Houston at the
Accelerated Foreign Language Department, we use a unique way to learn
new languages that is ideally suited to adult learners. This method
employs the best teaching practices with whole-brain learning theory to
maximize each individual's learning style. Our system is a combination
of accelerated "tools" where we recreate the way Italians learn to speak
naturally from the time they are born. We try to make the student feel
like they are actually in Italy.
In Italy, the method is similar,
but with the great advantage that there is no need to recreate being in
Italy. You are in Italy. And all around you, everyone speaks Italian,
from teachers and staff to neighbors and shopkeepers.
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