First catch your octopus - 10 days studying Italian in Tuscany.
Jun 11th, 2011, 12:32 PM
#101
thanks Irish. Glad you enjoyed it.
I'm afraid that i haven't yet mastered the technology to download the photos - I need to work out how to do this I know, as i want to send them to the language school too.
I'm afraid that i haven't yet mastered the technology to download the photos - I need to work out how to do this I know, as i want to send them to the language school too.
Jun 12th, 2011, 12:01 AM
#102
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Reading your report was an enjoyable experience - vicarious travel fills the time between trips nicely. How "successful" do you think your language school time would have been had your husband been with you (in Orbetella, not at the school?)
Jun 12th, 2011, 01:43 AM
#103
thanks, Tarquin. i'm glad that you've enjoyed the trip, albeit at second hand.
you ask an interesting question about non-participating spouses affecting the success of the course, and i have to say that i do not think that I would have got as much out of it as I did had he been along. No matter how often he might have said that he was happy to do his own thing, inevitably I'd have been concerned that he was feeling bored or left out, particularly in Orbetello where rival attractions are not numerous.
it might work in a larger place - Florence or Rome perhaps - where there is so much else to do, particularly were one's partner able to do another course - art history or cookery for example. but on the whole I do not think that it would have worked as well.
What I would like to do is to go on a holiday with him in that area, and while we were there I might have the odd private lesson, if that could be arranged.
mmmm - perhaps he could hire a bike while I was at the school!
you ask an interesting question about non-participating spouses affecting the success of the course, and i have to say that i do not think that I would have got as much out of it as I did had he been along. No matter how often he might have said that he was happy to do his own thing, inevitably I'd have been concerned that he was feeling bored or left out, particularly in Orbetello where rival attractions are not numerous.
it might work in a larger place - Florence or Rome perhaps - where there is so much else to do, particularly were one's partner able to do another course - art history or cookery for example. but on the whole I do not think that it would have worked as well.
What I would like to do is to go on a holiday with him in that area, and while we were there I might have the odd private lesson, if that could be arranged.
mmmm - perhaps he could hire a bike while I was at the school!
Jun 13th, 2011, 08:13 AM
#105
hi Leeley,
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now I've done this sort of "holiday" i wouldn't hesitate to do it again, if I get the chance. Really, it was so worthwhile and fun. I know that it's not for everyone, but if you like language learning and don't mind not sitting on a beach 24/7 you haven't really got anything to lose.
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now I've done this sort of "holiday" i wouldn't hesitate to do it again, if I get the chance. Really, it was so worthwhile and fun. I know that it's not for everyone, but if you like language learning and don't mind not sitting on a beach 24/7 you haven't really got anything to lose.
Jun 13th, 2011, 09:40 AM
#107
TDudette - forgive me, I'd forgotten you are off the Perugia. .[or have dementicated, as we say in our household].
When are you going? which school? how have you managed to wangle 3 MONTHS???
When are you going? which school? how have you managed to wangle 3 MONTHS???
Jun 13th, 2011, 12:02 PM
#110
elnap - what's stopping you? in 2 weeks you could get a real grounding, and have LOADS of fun. i wish I'd done it years ago. but then, i wish I'd done the classes at home years ago as well.
but better late than never. any chance of you doing some classes at home?
busted - thanks! i had a really terrific trip.
but better late than never. any chance of you doing some classes at home?
busted - thanks! i had a really terrific trip.
Jun 14th, 2011, 02:55 AM
#111
I'd agree with annhig, don't just think "maybe one day", if it appeals to you, then do it.
I am just in the process of writing up notes I made on my first trip to a language school (only 5 years late as it was in 2006.
What I now realise is how much I was worried about the trip - not fitting in, being unable to cope with the lessons etc but it was brilliant. I had a great time and it did wonders for my confidence and language skills. I enjoyed it so much at the time that I went back twice more in the following years.
I am just in the process of writing up notes I made on my first trip to a language school (only 5 years late as it was in 2006.
What I now realise is how much I was worried about the trip - not fitting in, being unable to cope with the lessons etc but it was brilliant. I had a great time and it did wonders for my confidence and language skills. I enjoyed it so much at the time that I went back twice more in the following years.
Jun 14th, 2011, 09:01 AM
#112
wilit - where did you do your courses? the reason I ask is because there is another thread where someone wants some help about language schools in Rome. I've offered my two penn'oth but she's not interested.
if you were in Rome, perhaps you could chime in?
I agree about the positive effect of these courses - I found the whole experience vey worthwhile.
if you were in Rome, perhaps you could chime in?
I agree about the positive effect of these courses - I found the whole experience vey worthwhile.
Jun 14th, 2011, 10:24 AM
#113
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OH, I'd love to take a language course, perhaps in Siena. As we just returned from a trip, it will take awhile to save up again. Flights from the West Coast can be costly and long, but I'll be watching the fares! Which language school did you consider in Siena?
Jun 14th, 2011, 10:39 AM
#115
I went to Saena Iulia in Siena. I couldn't recommend it too highly, although I have nothing to compare it to.
TDudette - many of the young American students were doing exactly that in Siena; 13 weeks from absolute beginner. The first time I went there was an Australian , recently retired, doing the same thing.
TDudette - many of the young American students were doing exactly that in Siena; 13 weeks from absolute beginner. The first time I went there was an Australian , recently retired, doing the same thing.
Jun 14th, 2011, 12:43 PM
#116
These are incomplete, but some webpages with description of the school, typical days and one of the excursions. I will need to do some updating later once I have finished editing the notes.
The Image link works, but I have not yet captioned the pictures.
http://www.microbes.110mb.com/Siena/siena0.html
The Image link works, but I have not yet captioned the pictures.
http://www.microbes.110mb.com/Siena/siena0.html
Jun 14th, 2011, 01:40 PM
#117
willit- thanks for posting the link to your blog - very informative. one thing, and I'm not sure if this is because you are still perfecting the blog or because there is a glitch, the links to specific days take one to a website purchase site!
the school sounds very similar to the one i attended, apart from the dodgy staircase, that is.
anyone contemplating spending a fortnight at this school in siena should seriously consider the option they offer of a week in Orbetello - it is truly a special place.
the school sounds very similar to the one i attended, apart from the dodgy staircase, that is.
anyone contemplating spending a fortnight at this school in siena should seriously consider the option they offer of a week in Orbetello - it is truly a special place.
Jun 14th, 2011, 11:39 PM
#119
annhig - I wanted to get the stuff I written up while it might be relevant to the dscussion, and forgot to modify the menu to only include real pages. So far I have only got as far as the Sant'Antimo/Montalcino trip.
