Italian Facts
Italian is a Romance language spoken by around 63 million people worldwide, primarily in Italy and Switzerland
Italian is written using the Roman alphabet, but the letters J, K, W, X and Y are not part of the standard Italian alphabet, appearing only in loan words
Italian is widely taught in schools around the world, but rarely as the first non-native language
Italian
Glossary
Al mercato
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Per tradizione gli italiani preferiscono fare la spesa al mercato dove il cibo è di qualità migliore e il servizio più personale. Un giorno alla settimana in ogni città italiana viene organizzato un mercato di frutta e verdura sin dai tempi dei romani, dove grandi commercianti o ricchi uomini d’affari si ritrovavano per barattare la loro merce preziosa.
La varietà dei prodotti che si possono trovare nelle bancarelle colorate e profumate dei mercati d’Italia è molto vasta. I banchi di frutta e verdura presentano prodotti freschi e diversi per ogni stagione come funghi, mele, cavolini di Bruxelles e zucche in autunno, patate, spinaci e barbabietole in inverno, pesche, albicocche, angurie e meloni in primavera ed estate.
I profumi del banco dei formaggi catturano chi vi passa davanti e non può resistere dal chiedere un assaggio di parmigiano o di gorgonzola tenera e cremosa. Ogni regione italiana vanta un proprio repertorio di formaggi sfiziosi per i quali vi è solo l’imbarazzo della scelta. Molto chiassoso e costoso è il banco dei pesci con sarde, merluzzi, aragoste e naselli appena pescati.
Per i più carnivori il banco della carne sfoggia gustosissime porchette pepate, lunghi filoni di salsiccia, bistecche di agnello, vitello, e per i palati più raffinati carne equina e di selavaggina. Non sono infine da dimenticare i banchi di vini e liquori tipici che accompagnano degustazioni di tartufi, formaggi e dolci.
Un tour per i mercati d’Italia è l’ideale per chi è interessato a conoscere la storia, cultura e tradizione di questo paese, culla dei Romani e di tante ricette appetitose.
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Italian Courses in Aberdeen
Our native-speaking qualified Italian teachers can guide you and your group at your work or at home, at a time convenient to you. Classes can take place on any day of the week - even weekends - morning, afternoon or evening. If needs be, if meeting at your office or home is not suitable, you can take your lessons at the trainer's office. Study materials are supplied for you.
Book now / EnquiryItalian 1 to 1 Business
Those who would benefit the most from these Italian tutorials are those who feel they need to learn Italian to help them out in their business lives. For starters, learning salutations and business etiquette is integral; once these have been practiced then reading and writing courses can start. Typical studiers have been those involved in international import/export, negotiations and acquisitions, those in multinational companies requiring another language, and those working in any way with international governments and relevant administration. Just our simplest course for beginners will have students finishing the lessons with basic telephone and e-mail Italian, as well as survival Italian should a visit to the country be necessary.
Book now / EnquiryItalian 1 to 1 General
Italian courses of this type are broader and are aimed towards students with a variety of requirements. While all beginner level students will cover survival Italian - needed for short visits to countries where English isn't widely spoken, or if you wish to 'go local'; those studying Italian usually go in different directions at this point, depending on what they need. Those who have benefitted from these Italian classes have been those investing in or buying property overseas, those married to overseas nationals, people setting off on a round-the-world trip, enthusiasts in Italian culture, and those enthusiastic to pass a specific exam in Italian.
Book now / EnquiryItalian Group Lessons
Courses in Italian are also accessible for 2 or more studying in tandem (Two-to-One Italian Course or Small Group In-Company Italian Course). All those involved must have around the same experience of the language, similar needs of areas of proficiency, and must be able to work at the same time and place. Bookings must be made for all students at the same time. Listen & Learn do not advise classes of more than 6-8 people, although In-Company Taster Italian sessions can be run with as many as 12 people.
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Aberdeen
Known to the locals as The Granite City thanks to the main architectural feature being the sparkling grey granite used in the construction of the older parts of the city, Aberdeen is Scotland's third largest city, with a population of over 200,000. It has long been famous for its number of attractive parks and gardens, as well as its citywide floral displays. However, there's more to Aberdeen than just flowers. As a university city, students and visitors alike fall for Aberdeen's combination of historic charm; the best variety of retail amenities in the north of Scotland; as well as its pulsating nightlife, boasting a massive range from the cosiness of old world city-centre pubs to chic nightclubs.
Italian Testimonials
"This is just a quick note to say thank you for arranging our Italian classes. We really enjoyed them and we liked Maria very much. We are interested in having some more lessons, perhaps once a week now. We'd like them to focus on conversation so that we can practise what we've learned so far."
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