37. Scudit: No Orientation or Welcome
At Scudit there was nothing for incoming students -- no welcoming event, no orientation, nor any attempt to introduce students to each other outside of one’s own class. There was no sense of a society of people pursuing the same goal. Except for a few of us in my class, I did not find that there was any interaction between students. The school was very much one where one attended one’s class and then left; or attended the weekly film and left. If this lack of social activity appeals to you, you will like Scudit. Presumably, you have a social life outside the school where you can practise your Italian. However, most foreign students who go to Italy to study the language do not have this luxury.
It is really quite ironic and UNTRUE that one BIG advantage in going to Italy to learn the language is that one will be able to practise by speaking to the populace. In my opinion, students are really an isolated group in the midst of a larger populace with whom there is little communication. Sure, hang out at the bars [coffee and alcoholic] or at the discotheques and you can doubtless find the opportunity to chat with someone. But not everyone likes to spend time at these locations. Or, if these places are the true source of learning the language, then I would recommend that you save your tuition money and spend it at the bars! The truth is that most of one’s speaking of Italian is done with other students and teachers, and this is especially true in Rome, where people will more often answer you in English as soon as they detect that you are an English speaker!
Unlike Scudit, at both Linguait and Scuola Leonardo non-class activities played an important role in furthering one’s language skills. At Linguait there was a very strong effort to encourage intermingling through inter-class activities such as games and excursions. Although it did not have a common room, the local bars were two minutes from the school, and students were encouraged to meet there for a drink. Scuola Leonardo lacked a Common Room or a local bar, but the school was very active in introducing students to cultural features of Siena – all in Italian. During my stay Scudit offered very little in terms of extra curriculum activity.
It is really quite ironic and UNTRUE that one BIG advantage in going to Italy to learn the language is that one will be able to practise by speaking to the populace. In my opinion, students are really an isolated group in the midst of a larger populace with whom there is little communication. Sure, hang out at the bars [coffee and alcoholic] or at the discotheques and you can doubtless find the opportunity to chat with someone. But not everyone likes to spend time at these locations. Or, if these places are the true source of learning the language, then I would recommend that you save your tuition money and spend it at the bars! The truth is that most of one’s speaking of Italian is done with other students and teachers, and this is especially true in Rome, where people will more often answer you in English as soon as they detect that you are an English speaker!
Unlike Scudit, at both Linguait and Scuola Leonardo non-class activities played an important role in furthering one’s language skills. At Linguait there was a very strong effort to encourage intermingling through inter-class activities such as games and excursions. Although it did not have a common room, the local bars were two minutes from the school, and students were encouraged to meet there for a drink. Scuola Leonardo lacked a Common Room or a local bar, but the school was very active in introducing students to cultural features of Siena – all in Italian. During my stay Scudit offered very little in terms of extra curriculum activity.
posted by Toby1939 at 11:06 AM
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