Italian Facts
Italian has always had a different, distinctive dialect for each Italian city, though a well-known Italian turn of phrase describes it as "the Tuscan tongue in a Roman mouth"
During the Renaissance, Italy was considered the artistic centre of the world for educated European gentlemen, who would be expected to make the 'Grand Tour'
Italian is a Romance language spoken by around 63 million people worldwide, primarily in Italy and Switzerland
Italian
Glossary
Italo Calvino
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Italo Calvino nasce il 15 ottobre 1923 a Santiago de Las Vegas, un villaggio vicino all'Avana (Cuba), dove il padre dirige una stazione sperimentale di agricoltura e una scuola d'agraria. Dal padre agronomo e dalla madre botanica riceve un'educazione rigorosamente laica. Nel 1925 la famiglia Calvino ritorna in Italia e si stabilisce a San Remo, nella Villa Meridiana dove Calvino vive fino a vent'anni.
Al termine degli studi liceali Calvino si iscrive all’Università di Agraria cercando così di seguire la tradizione scientifica familiare ma la seconda guerra mondiale ed il suo spirito di srcittore gli impediscono di portare a termine tali studi.
Dopo la liberazione, aderisce al Partito Comunista Italiano, dove inizia la sua carriera di scrittore collaborando a giornali e riviste, ed in seguito si iscrive alla Facoltà di Lettere di Torino laureandosi nel 1947. Entra poi a far parte del gruppo redazionale della casa editrice dove matura la sua vocazione umanistico letteraria.
Calvino si rivela il più giovane e dotato tra gli scrittori neoralisti con la pubblicazione del suo primo romanzo, Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno, pubblicato nel 1947.
La prosa di Calvino è arte allo stato puro. La sola innovazione del suo scrivere libri, lo sperimentalismo portato agli estremi lo rende di per sé un autore-chiave nella comprensione della "nuova letteratura" del ventesimo secolo.
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Italian Courses in Bournemouth
Our Italian speakers, fully qualified to teach their native tongue, can train you and, if need be, the rest of your group at a time that is suitable to you, at your home or place of work. Sessions can take place on the day of your choosing - even weekends - and at the time you want: whether it be morning, afternoon or evening. If circumstances arise where your home or office is not convenient, the classes can be held at your trainer's office. Resources for the course are provided 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
If there are 2 or more of you with the same level of Italian, the same targets within the language, and be able to study at the same time and location, then you'll be happy to know that these Italian courses can also be made available for Two-to-One Italian Courses or Small Group In-Company Italian Courses. Listen & Learn do not generally recommend classes of more than 6-8 people, although Taster courses in Italian can run with up to 12 people. Bookings must be made for all participants at the same time.
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Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal town and tourist hotspot with a population of over 160,000 people - making it the largest settlement in the county of Dorset. Originally famous for its expansive beaches as well as its inland shopping and historic tourism facilities, Bournemouth no longer lives up to its old nickname of "God's Waiting Room" as the city has recently become a much more youthful and vibrant place, mainly thanks to the large student population (many from overseas, as the city is a major centre for teaching English) and 24-hour clubs.
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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