19. “Master” Classes for the Over 50
In my search for a language school to attend this September I came across at least two that offer programmes specially for the “0ver 50s”—also called “Master “Classes”. I queried one of the schools, and the response I received explained that they were not discriminating by age, that these classes were “tailor made to match older students needs” …as an “alternative option for more mature people who would appreciate different aspects of Italian culture and way of life”. They also explained that these classes were “well received.” Well, if you are “over 50” and like that sort of thing, by all means take one of these courses when they are offered. Meanwhile, allow me to give you my thoughts on the matter.
I see NO need for such separation by age, and, moreover, I have to wonder about a school that offers these special classes. How do they treat or even consider students in their standard classes who are "over 50”? Do they consider us slow witted, hard of hearing – you know, on the verge of creeping senility that THEY…MUST…SPEAK . . . IN A LOUD VOICE …AND SLOWLY? What aspects of Italian culture would appeal to the “more mature” only? Pension funds, dying, death, wills?
In the course I attended at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in Siena the ages in my class ranged from 18 to the 60s, with two of us taking up the senior status. When the school went on excursions the group again comprised all ages. Each brought his [or her] interest to the classroom and all was accepted. Such diversity helps to expand the choice of topics and points of view leading to a more diverse use of the language. No one felt out of place or out of phase, and the instructors did not have to slow… down … or …SPEAK … IN A LOUD VOICE for us old fogies.
Socially we all got along fine, and I also found my fellow non-North American students –even the youngest—so much more mature than their North American counterpart in the way they handled themselves. I think I would have definitely lost something if I had attended a class of just “Master [euphemism here!] students. My objection was not with my younger European and Asian fellow students, but with those North American students of any age who go to learn a language but insist on falling back on their comfort zone of speaking English outside the classroom.
In Perugia my class also ran the spectrum of ages from 18 to 67. I would like to point out that the person who spoke the best Italian was an American retiree whom everyone liked for his quiet courtesy. Again, we did many things together outside the classroom, but while some of the younger ones might have chosen to go to a disco on some nights I did not. Nor, for that matter, did the other “mature students” or the priests and nuns! This was not a matter of age but of personal preference as I was never attracted to such places. Those going certainly asked us to join. Each student brought something special including his way of looking at life, and age certainly played a role. What a diverse group we were: priests, nuns, art student, economic student, engineers, orchestra administrator, nurse –a real slice of life with a diversity of professions and age.
And here I would like to point out how we older types can play a special role. At Siena and Perugia it didn’t take me long to recognise that some of the younger students were on a very tight budget. The occasional invitation to join for dinner, lunch, or just an ice cream or coffee was always sincerely appreciated. Age was never a barrier, and the relationship was always one of affection. I remember with fond memory that at Siena a young fellow student, who knew that I had a bad sense of direction, insisted on going with me to Florence to help me with my bags and to ensure that I arrived at my hotel without any hitches. Thank you, Bianca!
Instead of cocooning oneself in the comfort of a homogenous group –be it age or nationality—I would suggest that one can get a lot more out of the classes where there are all types of diversity. From my experience, even the youngest was not self-conscious of age, and everyone shared in the common pursuit of learning the language and having a good time. The only contretemps I encountered was with Americans and Australians who insisted on speaking English outside the classroom.
So why the need for “master classes” for the over 50 if not to treat them as lesser beings with diminished faculties? One cynic said to me that it was for romance, in that these classes serve as matchmaking opportunities! Well, if it be so, do remember Hamlet’s admonition: “for at your age,/The heyday in the blood is tame, it’s humble,/And waits upon the judgement.”
I see NO need for such separation by age, and, moreover, I have to wonder about a school that offers these special classes. How do they treat or even consider students in their standard classes who are "over 50”? Do they consider us slow witted, hard of hearing – you know, on the verge of creeping senility that THEY…MUST…SPEAK . . . IN A LOUD VOICE …AND SLOWLY? What aspects of Italian culture would appeal to the “more mature” only? Pension funds, dying, death, wills?
In the course I attended at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in Siena the ages in my class ranged from 18 to the 60s, with two of us taking up the senior status. When the school went on excursions the group again comprised all ages. Each brought his [or her] interest to the classroom and all was accepted. Such diversity helps to expand the choice of topics and points of view leading to a more diverse use of the language. No one felt out of place or out of phase, and the instructors did not have to slow… down … or …SPEAK … IN A LOUD VOICE for us old fogies.
Socially we all got along fine, and I also found my fellow non-North American students –even the youngest—so much more mature than their North American counterpart in the way they handled themselves. I think I would have definitely lost something if I had attended a class of just “Master [euphemism here!] students. My objection was not with my younger European and Asian fellow students, but with those North American students of any age who go to learn a language but insist on falling back on their comfort zone of speaking English outside the classroom.
In Perugia my class also ran the spectrum of ages from 18 to 67. I would like to point out that the person who spoke the best Italian was an American retiree whom everyone liked for his quiet courtesy. Again, we did many things together outside the classroom, but while some of the younger ones might have chosen to go to a disco on some nights I did not. Nor, for that matter, did the other “mature students” or the priests and nuns! This was not a matter of age but of personal preference as I was never attracted to such places. Those going certainly asked us to join. Each student brought something special including his way of looking at life, and age certainly played a role. What a diverse group we were: priests, nuns, art student, economic student, engineers, orchestra administrator, nurse –a real slice of life with a diversity of professions and age.
And here I would like to point out how we older types can play a special role. At Siena and Perugia it didn’t take me long to recognise that some of the younger students were on a very tight budget. The occasional invitation to join for dinner, lunch, or just an ice cream or coffee was always sincerely appreciated. Age was never a barrier, and the relationship was always one of affection. I remember with fond memory that at Siena a young fellow student, who knew that I had a bad sense of direction, insisted on going with me to Florence to help me with my bags and to ensure that I arrived at my hotel without any hitches. Thank you, Bianca!
Instead of cocooning oneself in the comfort of a homogenous group –be it age or nationality—I would suggest that one can get a lot more out of the classes where there are all types of diversity. From my experience, even the youngest was not self-conscious of age, and everyone shared in the common pursuit of learning the language and having a good time. The only contretemps I encountered was with Americans and Australians who insisted on speaking English outside the classroom.
So why the need for “master classes” for the over 50 if not to treat them as lesser beings with diminished faculties? One cynic said to me that it was for romance, in that these classes serve as matchmaking opportunities! Well, if it be so, do remember Hamlet’s admonition: “for at your age,/The heyday in the blood is tame, it’s humble,/And waits upon the judgement.”
posted by Toby1939 at 10:49 AM
