Our learner Jan attends Italian courses with SAL and the immersive experience offered by our experienced and enthusiastic tutor, has resulted in extraordinary benefits. Here Jan shares her learner journey with us and her motivation to learn Italian.
She said, "My husband of thirty-four years is Italian; his parents were both Italian and my husband was born in London but sent back to Italy to be bought up by his aunt & Uncle until school age. Over the years I tried studying the language but gave up for various reasons. However, this changed after a client of mine walked into my hair salon speaking a little Italian. She would regularly come into the salon and each time her Italian was improving and her enthusiasm never waned. I had promised a cousin of my husband that I would study Italian so that we could have a good conversation together, sadly she has since passed away, however, I wanted to keep that promise to her, so I decided to be brave and enrol with Surrey Adult Learning.
My tutor and the class were great, everyone was very welcoming. I felt that we are all in it together. The classes are varied, informative and fun. We revisit different topics in different ways, for example reading a novel, listening to music, playing memory games, small fun presentations on where we have stayed in Italy, learning about Italian history, food, and culture. We are offered a well-rounded learning experience!
I think that there are multiple benefits of learning a language. The courses with SAL provide a routine and structure to my life, but also connections with others and ultimately friendship. I've met some lovely people in my class, and we have a WhatsApp group to stay connected outside the classroom. There are opportunities to meet up outside of class, there is even a trip to Italy on offer!
One lovely thing that has come out of learning Italian is that I was asked to go into my Granddaughter's nursery to read to the children in Italian. I checked with my tutor, and she encouraged me. I think my granddaughter was very proud of me and it also boosted my self-confidence.
Today, I have decided to work towards getting Italian citizenship.
If you are thinking of learning a new language I would say, be brave and do it! You never know what doors will open or what friendships you will make!"
