ABBONDANZA!

Recently, I had the pleasure of learning about an outstanding Italian language immersion program that is so well conceived, I just had to take the time to write about it.

To many adults the prospect of learning or increasing the command of a foreign language is daunting and nerve racking.  (It certainly doesn't help when in the United States we are constantly reminded of this nonsensical notion (Critical Period Hypothesis) that learning a new language is only for the young. In this special report, we highlight a unique and comprehensive Italian language immersion program that goes beyond the traditional methods found in all other schools we've examined.

The lovely Renee Restivo forwarded an invitation to an  Italian wine and cheese party so that I could meet and converse with her friend Stefania Belli, the president of La Lingua La Vita language center in Todi, Italy. Founded in 1987, the school offers classes to students of all ages and language backgrounds.  

The afternoon began with a presentation from Stefania, and continued with a video walkthrough of the language school in action, and of the surrounding areas of the town Todi, where the school is located.

While many adults shake in their boots when they are faced with the need to learn a new language, La Lingua La Vita specializes in removing those barriers and making their students feel comfortable and at ease. The school even goes a step further in that they offer accommodations for travelers wishing to stay and learn Italian. This last fact is significant because, your entire language learning experience can be enveloped into a vacation, complete with accommodations, a chauffeur, tours of Todi, shopping excursions, sightseeing, pottery and even cooking classes. This approach encourages the student to learn and apply their new linguistic talents in a friendly and all-encompassing environment.

Personally, I know that I can learn new things from reading a book or a screen. However, I also know that in my case, having the ability to be 100% immersed in an environment where I can apply the knowledge is the key to my retention and helps to eliminate the apprehension associated with applying that knowledge in the future. In fact, I have found that on each recurring trip to Italy, regardless of how much I study while in the States, my real learning happens when I arrive in Italy. I've always been able to associate newly learned words, terms and grammatical rules due to the memories I recall from my personal trips. I can only imagine that the advanced techniques employed at La Lingua La Vita capitalise on this even more.

In doing research for this posting I was not surprised to learn that the school has a direct affiliation with Penn State University and Moore College of Art and Design.  La Lingua La Vita also offers a unique Beyond Language program that is 30% more effective than traditional methods.

While at the wine and cheese party, I met some very satisfied clients (who proudly still refer to themselves as students of the school) who were singing the praises of Stefania, her staff and the school. It's easy to see why, she was courteous, friendly and came across as a genuine professional who seeked nothing more than to introduce her school and the lovely town of Todi to those of us in attendance. Stefania should serve as an ambassador for her region, the pride and excitement beaming on her face when speaking of Umbria was not just evident to all, but also contagious. Her video went beyond that of the school and showed us students enjoying the town, shopping, and participating in extracurricular activities in and around the area surrounding Todi.  

La Lingua La Vita offers one, two, and four week courses that allow you to open your mind to learning, and then immediately get you out into the real world and practice. So, if you are interested in a fun, unique and highly effective way to learning Italian, please contact La Lingua La Vita.

La Lingua La Vita
Via Mazzini, 18
06059 Todi (Pg) Italy

Tel.(+39) 075.8948364
Fax (+39) 075.8949049

E-mail: info@lalingualavita.com
Website: www.lalingualavita.com