This newsletter was written to give others an insight into a day in the life of current participants in World Link Education's Italian Language program in Venice.

Venice in the Fall

The defining elements of Venice Local Venetian fruit and vegetable shop window Typical Italian osterie all over the San Marco quarter Stunning view from the top of Ponte del Accademia The impressive entrance to St Mark s Basilica Fare una passeggiata take a stroll along the serene canal How does one begin to describe Venice in the Fall since it is nothing like any other place in the world? The only answer is that it truly is a world of its own.Our current students were initially amazed by the fact that Venice is made up 118 islands, all connected by around 354 public bridges! As they discovered the layout of Venice takes a little bit of getting used to, in the sense that there are no streets as are normally found in cities, but rather the canals themselves become the streets with the bridges being the "pedestrian crossings".

Group excursion to Ca'Zenobio

On a lovely September afternoon, a group of us from the Academy went on an excursion to the Ca' Zenobio museum. We were accompanied by Sara, a teacher at the Academy specialised in Ancient History, which made her the perfect guide for the occasion, seeing that the exhibition we were about to see was all about the history of the Armenians. Academy students outside the Ca' Zenobio Museum Campo Santa Margherita The museum lies in an ancient Italian building only a few minutes walk away from the Academy, around the corner from Campo Santa Margherita, which made it very easy to get to. We started out by going on a little tour of the beautiful (albeit somewhat ruined) garden of the Estate before actually going inside to admire the interior design and spectacular rooms of the mansion. On the second floor of the building, we were all rather impressed by a trick aspect of the fresco on the ceiling which depicts a manly figure looking in one way but one is completely convinced that he is pointing and looking the other way when you when you go under the painting and look at it from the other side!! This experience must not be confused with the impression given by many depictions of Christ: namely that his eyes are following you wherever you stand and look at the painting. The sense of perspective given by the fresco we were admiring is different and most of us found it lots of fun to try and work out how this illusion had been created. Sara proceeded to give us a fascinating talk on the history of the families that had lived in the Estate, which had actually been used as a college for Armenians and she was also able to enlighten us on many aspects of the History of that time and place which was unknown to most of us. After the tour, a group of us decided to continue wandering around the beautiful little Venetian alleyways and soak in the magical atmosphere and discover all the wonderful things the city has to offer. Discover Venice the Italian way The splendour of historical buildings around Venice Romantic and breathtaking Venezia

Italian language workshop: "I modi di dire italiani": Italian Idiomatic expressions

On Wednesday, the afternoon Italian language seminar was on "I modi di dire Italiani" which literally means Italian ways of saying things, (in this case meaning referring to certain specific expressions and phrases which are used in Italian (and have similar equivalents in some other languages as well) depending on what the context or situation one finds oneself in. All of the students met up in one of the classrooms and our teacher Barbara then proceeded to distribute little bits of paper with a definition on each one and then a second round of little papers this time with each one having a particular Italian phrase or expression written on it. The idea was to see if we knew or could figure out which expression went with which definition, something that was not so easy to do since the expressions are often taken from historical events or stories particular to Italy and therefore hard to guess, especially when the expressions used in other countries to convey the same meaning might be completely different or, what was even more confusing, when the Italian expression meant something completely different in our own mother tongues. Barbara demonstrating the origins of Italian phrases Isabelle guessing the expression made by Nancy The class divided up into two groups of 4 and we tried to resolve the puzzle. It was lots of fun to see how people reasoned in different ways and what stood out from the whole experience was that since the students were of so many different nationalities, we learnt a lot about what expressions are used in the students' various home countries. Once we had found the answers (or at least what we thought the answers were), Barbara went through each one with the class, explaining the origin of the phrase so not only had we learnt a lot of new vocabulary (it is another story to use the expressions appropriately in common conversation let me assure you) but we were also enriching our personal knowledge of Italian culture and history, even though it didn't feel like a history lesson because we were having so much fun. Barbara distributed another round of the same excercise, this time with even more difficult expressions, but we were ready for the challenge and managed to get a lot out of the second part too. For a look at some of the interesting Italian expressions we learned click here

Interview with Christina

Name Christina Roth Nationality Swiss Country of Residence Switzerland (in Luzern) Age 20 Profession Student Educational Background Studying economics Languages Spoken French, German, English and Italian Hobbies and Interests Sport, swimming, bicycling, skiing, leading boy scouts, reading, theatre, writing and meeting up with my friends. 1. Is this your first time in Italy? No, I was travelling in Italy with a friend and as a child I visited Italy quite often with my family. 2. Why did you decide to study Italian at the Academy of Italian Language in Venice? I wanted to study Italian for pleasure and I chose this Academy because Venice is a beautiful city and the website information on the Academy attracted me. 3. Had you been to any other language schools before? If yes, how does the Academy compare? Yes, I was at a language school in Dublin, Ireland. In Ireland I had four different teachers instead of two and each teacher was in charge of one aspect of learning the language (listening, grammar, speaking, writing). I liked that style of teaching because you knew what to expect. 4. How are you finding your studies here at the Academy? I like the studies here very much, especially because the teachers show interest in you and want you to feel happy. The classes are quite small and there is the possibility to change levels if another one is better for you. 5. Has the Academy lived up to what you thought it was going to be like? Has it surpassed your expectations or…? My whole stay was really interesting and I didn't think that I would be able to speak Italian this well after 4 weeks. 6. What do you think is the BEST thing about studying here? One of the best parts was that it was so interesting to meet people from different nationalities and the teachers gave us the possibility to discuss things. One of the best parts was that I really learned to SPEAK Italian. 7. What is it about the lessons that you really like? Did you find the programs interesting? It was interesting to read things about Venice and Italy and teachers told stories about this country. I think speaking and listening is a very good way to learn a foreign language. 8. Is there anything that would have made your stay here easier in any way? No, I can't see anything, it was all really well organised and the information was all very clear. 9. What is the most interesting thing you have done or discovered in Venice? For me the most interesting thing was that I could speak with Venetians. I talked with a politician, with an old lady in a Campo and with people waiting in line in the supermarkets and they told me interesting stories. 10. What so far has been your most memorable experience in Venice and/or other parts of Italy? My most memorable experiences in Venice have been the "promenades" in the narrow streets or sitting in a cafe and observing the people passing by or reading and writing in a quiet place by the seaside and, of course, also the really nice dinners with friends. 11 What kind of activities did the Academy organise that you particularly liked and why? It was really interesting to visit the Palazzo Ca'Zenobio and to hear about the history of the Armenians. 12. What kinds of tips on living and studying in Venice can you give other potential students? Take comfortable shoes with you. Talk as much as possible to Italians and don't get too fussed about trying to see all the museums, it won't be possible to see them all anyway!! All I would add is that choosing to come to Venice is a great choice because it is such an amazing place to live in while studying Italian. 13. Any really cool shops, museums, cinemas, markets, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs that you have been to? To buy food, the "Coop" supermarket is the cheapest place. There is a nice shop for handmade clothes near San Marculola and Blue Café and Barcoda Jazz are nice bars and the outdoor cafe in front of the Academy is really cool. 14. What do prefer to do when you are not in class? Do you feel you have found a good balance between social, educational, cultural, etc stuff? In the afternoons I visit museums, walk around all over Venice, sit at cafes, talk to friends or go shopping. On the weekends, I made little trips to Murano, Burano and Torcello which are beautiful islands and I also took the train to Padova, Treviso and Verona which where all so interesting. I found a good balance and enjoyed my stay here very much. 15. What were the major (cultural, social, educational etc) differences from your home country that you experienced when you first arrived in Venice (and maybe still find yourself struggling with)? The trains often arrived late !!I also found that Italians have loud voices and show their emotions much more than what I am used to in my country, but I like it. 16. Was interacting and getting to know the other students very easy? That depends on the person, I think. For me, it was very easy. The atmosphere at the Academy allows you to get in contact with others easily.You talk during the lessons, drink coffee together on the terrace during the break, eat lunch (at Pizza al Volo for example) so you get to know each other really well very quickly. 17. How did you find the relationship between students and teachers? The relationship was very friendly. The teachers are open to all kinds of questions we have and our opinions as students seemed to be important. The language lessons were funny, but we also learned lots of things. 18. If you had to describe the Academy in one (or a few other words) what word immediately springs to mind? "Carino" in Italian meaning sweet and pleasant !! 19. Any practical suggestions you would give to future students? Don't fear, I arrived here with no knowledge of the language and I will go home with practical skills in Italian and am now able to speak and understand so much. 20. What do you think is the most valuable lesson you will take with you when you leave the Academy and Venice (apart of course from having learnt to speak Italian) and how do you feel your experience here in Venice has changed you (if it has)? There are so many different nationalities and cultures in the world and it is so important to respect them. Everyone's different opinion should be accepted and respected as should everyone's cultural background. 21. Do you think you will come back to Venice / Italy? What for especially? Absolutely, I will, now that I know the language and I could be a tour guide of Venice 22. Finally, what words of wisdom / advice would you give others who plan to come and study here? Go for the Academy in Venice!!

Discovering the real Venetian way of life

A floating fruit and vegetable stall on Ponte dei Pugni Relaxing in the late afternoon in Piazza San Marco Spend hours just gazing at the amazing world reknown Venitian glass One of the nicest things about living and spending a little bit of time in Venice is that, despite it being one of the most visited cities in the world, the area where the Academy of Italian Language is, lets you experience what I would call the real part of Venice. The Academy is located in Campo Santa Margherita, a beautiful Square in the center of the Dorsoduro quarter of Venice. It's a popular meeting place for students and residents of the area as well as a lovely place to leisurely wander around or check out the beautiful shops or take a break and relax in one of the many outside cafes. The school is situated in a historic 16th century building housing several modern classrooms. Although there are naturally still tourists around Campo Santa Margherita, the pace and atmosphere is totally different from the busy Piazza San Marco or the Rialto, Accademia and Scalzi bridges that are always packed with tourists. The view of Campo Santa Margherita from the entrance of the Academy Around the corner from the Academy a picturesque view of the Venetian water Ponte Rialto one of the three major bridges connecting Venice

Student impressions of classes at the Academy

A perfect example of how helpful and instructive the teachers are Individualised attention from approachable teachers Small classes ensure students receive continuous assistance from teachers at all times At the Academy, one feels that it is a place where you can focus on learning and improving your Italian in a friendly environment. This feeling of being at home has a lot to do with the teachers themselves who set the tone for the class and all the professors we encountered were extremely friendly and welcoming, not to mention very patient at times, without being over the top or insincere in any way. As a result, one of the most noticeable things was that the teachers' enthusiasm for the Italian language was contagious and influenced the students who then weren't afraid to make mistakes but were instead excited about what they were learning, all the while making the whole experience a more enjoyable one. I don't know how many times the end of the classes came with all the students wanting to continue and finish whatever topic had been studied during the lesson, amazed that the time had gone so fast. I was, on several occasions, reminded of the expression "time flies when you are having fun" and it dawned on me that I was talking about the language lessons of an officially accredited and highly recognized Italian language Academy!!! The Intensive Italian Language Program (which happens to be the most popular course at the Academy in Venice) is divided into 5 different levels of Italian, with all the Italian language lessons being held in the morning from 9am to 11am, followed by a 15 coffee break, before starting the second class which runs until 13:00 when all language classes end. There is no strict division between grammar and vocabulary classes or written and oral exercises. Rather, each lesson consists of a mixture of various language learning skills in order to ensure an interesting and effective language syllabus. Teachers incorporate elements of Italian history and culture, as well as social and political aspects of Italian life with more traditional Italian language teaching methods, all of which results in more effective language learning. In fact, the emphasis of the Academy is on interactive communication while also concentrating on developing oral and listening comprehension, reading and writing comprehension and grammar skills. On your first day at the Academy, if you already have some knowledge of Italian, you will be asked to take a placement test to determine the right course level for you and then start straight into it all.

An insight into one of the classes (Advanced level)

A Snapshot of the Advanced Italian class in action at the Venice Academy Celine and Isabelle from France and Elenca from Croatia actively communicating in Italian At 9am on a September morning, the Advanced Italian class assembled in one of the Academy's modern classrooms. We began by listening to a radio interview which Massimo, our teacher for the first half of the morning, had prerecorded from one of Italy's cultural radio channels. The interview was actually a conversation with a well-known Italian singer who was talking about various aspects of Italian life, in particular the differences between Tuscany and other parts of Italy as well as explaining what he thought and how he felt about Florence, Siena and Bologna, thereby giving us an insight into the various pros and cons of some of Italy's major cities. Massimo played the tape once and we were asked to quickly write down some of the things we had been able to understand before listening to the tape a second time. Massimo then handed us each a sheet of paper with part of the interview text with many blank spaces for us to fill in. We attempted to do so immediately and then listened to the interview one more time in order to complete the many parts which were missing. Massimo also gave us time to discuss the things we were uncertain about between ourselves before going through the exercise with the whole group. All the students took turn participating and giving what they thought was the answer to the missing space. Some of the words and expressions we thought fit in were quite funny and entertaining! We also asked many questions when we didn't understand what the interviewee was trying to say or when we didn't quite comprehend the meaning of the discussion. Once this exercise was finished, Massimo used it as a springboard to begin discussing other topics related to what had been said in the interview and this is where we all got to practice our Italian oral skills first-hand, because we were expressing personal opinions and recounting personal experiences, all in Italian. We also read a really interesting text on the history of Venice and how its population and the activities of Venetians had changed over the centuries. It was humbling to think that we are actually living and studing in one of the most important cities in the whole of Italian history and to imagine how people lived and what they did hundreds of years ago in the very same spots where we now walked around every day. The varied composition of the class, (there were two French students, a Swiss, a Croatian, a German and an American student) inevitably meant that we also got to hear stories about how things are done in their various home countries and not only in Italy. By the time we had discussed many things, the class was over and we all went out on the terrace to have coffee.

A list of some useful Venetian terms

Meandering through the narrow calle in Venice Jen from Sweden pictured on a bridge overlooking the waterways Discover Venice the Italian way   "Acqua alta" Literally means "high water" and is used to refer to the flooding of the city. Increased human intervention in the lagoon over the past century has lead to much more frequent floodings, especially during winter. As long as the water doesn't go higher than 1.2 metres you can still get around OK, by walking along raised walkways!!!   "Bacari" It's the Venetian term for osteria (a rustic and traditonal rather simple regional Italian restaurant) and this is where you can get a stand-up lunch or snack because there aren't normally tables or chairs. Residents of Venice often meet in these places to have a drink and a chat or play cards.   "Calle" This is what streets are called in Venice. Ruga is another term (for wider streets) and so is salizada (when the street is paved).   "Gondola" The world famous Venetian rowing boat. Note that Gondola rowing remains a traditional Venetian art that can only be done in the particularly calm parts of the lagoon.   "Motonave" The largest boat used for transport in the lagoon. It can carry 1000 to 1200 passengers and goes between, for example, St Mark's Square and the Lido or from Venice to Punta Sabbioni and naturally between various little islands (Murano, Burano, etc).   "Ombra" Literally means "shade" or "shadow" but in Venice it refers to a glass of white or red wine availabe at all the bacari and osterie around the city. They are called ombre because, historically, Venetians used to sit in the shade of St Mark's Square and drink wine.   "Vaporetto" It's the equivalent of a bus in other cities! Yes, it's the public transport boat that takes you up and down the Grand Canal and other major water-ways within and around Venice. Note that there are only 3 major bridges (Accademia, Rialto and Scalzi) connecting the various parts of Venice so it can take a while to get to some places by foot. Many people therefore take a Vaporetto, because it is a cheap and very fast way of getting from one part of Venice to another.

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