43. A Comparison of Scudit with Linguait and Scuola Leonardo da Vinci (Siena) (2 of 4)
Objective
Leonardo: Solid foundation in grammar based on the school’s own textbook. Second part of the morning is devoted to conversation.
Linguait: Focuses on the “spoken language” but tied to grammar. Class started by students recounting what they had done or whatever. The second part of the morning is devoted to conversation.
Scudit: Essential grammatical points. Class started by students recounting what they had done or whatever. No special time allotted to conversation. Any conversation occurs in response to questions.
Material
Leonardo: The school has its own set of exercise books that range from Beginner to Advanced. The instructor also brought in extra photocopied material
Linguait: The instructor used photocopied material, although I hope someday the school produces its own textbooks based on their approach of focusing on the “living” language.
Scudit: The instructor used photocopied material but a lot less than at Linguait. It appeared to me that the same material was re-cycled through different classes perhaps indicating a prepared approach. At least, I hope so.
Quality of Teaching
All three schools offered a high-level when it came to quality of teaching. All the teachers were approachable and patient.
Leonardo: We had a change in instructor after the first two weeks –I was told this is part of the school’s rotating policy. Perhaps one of the two instructors was a little blasé and at times was “winging” it.
Linguait: We had a main teacher and a second one who came in for the last hour for strictly conversation.
Scudit: One teacher for a week or more depending on what happens when students leave. Depending on how much movement there is, it could be less satisfactory.
Although at both Leonardo and Scudit the teachers were high energy and good, I preferred the instructor at Linguait who had a more measured pace and was easier to follow.
Ambience
Leonardo: Excellent atmosphere: professional where staff were friendly but only spoke Italian [as far as I know] so one had to converse in Italian. There was no mixing between staff and students outside of class. It was a school where one attended and left after classes. However, unlike Scudit, the school held a good mix of extra-curriculum activities.
Linguait: Very friendly, in that the staff went out of its way to create a friendly atmosphere. Unlike Leonardo, staff would adjourn for a drink with students after an excursion. I found their meetings to grant diplomas with applause, hugs, etc a little too gushy, but, then, I’m a bit of a cynic and grouch. Nevertheless, I do believe that many people will enjoy the school’s friendly atmosphere. My main objection was the mixed focus in that the staff did not always speak Italian.
Scudit: Like Leonardo, very professional in that the staff only spoke Italian to the students [as far as I know]. And like Leonardo, it was a school where one attended and left after classes. Instructors were friendly, and approachable. The ambience reflected very much the personality of the Director.
Leonardo: Solid foundation in grammar based on the school’s own textbook. Second part of the morning is devoted to conversation.
Linguait: Focuses on the “spoken language” but tied to grammar. Class started by students recounting what they had done or whatever. The second part of the morning is devoted to conversation.
Scudit: Essential grammatical points. Class started by students recounting what they had done or whatever. No special time allotted to conversation. Any conversation occurs in response to questions.
Material
Leonardo: The school has its own set of exercise books that range from Beginner to Advanced. The instructor also brought in extra photocopied material
Linguait: The instructor used photocopied material, although I hope someday the school produces its own textbooks based on their approach of focusing on the “living” language.
Scudit: The instructor used photocopied material but a lot less than at Linguait. It appeared to me that the same material was re-cycled through different classes perhaps indicating a prepared approach. At least, I hope so.
Quality of Teaching
All three schools offered a high-level when it came to quality of teaching. All the teachers were approachable and patient.
Leonardo: We had a change in instructor after the first two weeks –I was told this is part of the school’s rotating policy. Perhaps one of the two instructors was a little blasé and at times was “winging” it.
Linguait: We had a main teacher and a second one who came in for the last hour for strictly conversation.
Scudit: One teacher for a week or more depending on what happens when students leave. Depending on how much movement there is, it could be less satisfactory.
Although at both Leonardo and Scudit the teachers were high energy and good, I preferred the instructor at Linguait who had a more measured pace and was easier to follow.
Ambience
Leonardo: Excellent atmosphere: professional where staff were friendly but only spoke Italian [as far as I know] so one had to converse in Italian. There was no mixing between staff and students outside of class. It was a school where one attended and left after classes. However, unlike Scudit, the school held a good mix of extra-curriculum activities.
Linguait: Very friendly, in that the staff went out of its way to create a friendly atmosphere. Unlike Leonardo, staff would adjourn for a drink with students after an excursion. I found their meetings to grant diplomas with applause, hugs, etc a little too gushy, but, then, I’m a bit of a cynic and grouch. Nevertheless, I do believe that many people will enjoy the school’s friendly atmosphere. My main objection was the mixed focus in that the staff did not always speak Italian.
Scudit: Like Leonardo, very professional in that the staff only spoke Italian to the students [as far as I know]. And like Leonardo, it was a school where one attended and left after classes. Instructors were friendly, and approachable. The ambience reflected very much the personality of the Director.
posted by Toby1939 at 11:05 AM
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