The Italian class group courses

Frequently asked questions.

How is course structured?

Our classes are based on the communicative approach with the inductive method. This means that the teacher will set a range of activities to stimulate conversation between the students and the teacher. Inductive means that the students are guided into understanding the structures.

Students will benefits with this method in an enormous way simply because it highly motivating for the learner to discover the language rather than "being taught the language". The student will be in the center of the learning process and the teacher will be your guide in this discovery.

Furthermore as be believe that everyone likes to play (even adults) we pack our courses with a variety of fun activities to keep the student motivation high. Games have a very high learning value as the students relax and easily retain structures and vocabulary.

What abilities do you develop?

Although the course is based on conversation we develop all 4 skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking.

The most important skill that you will gain from our courses is "saper fare con la lingua" in English is roughly translated "to know how to be able to use the language" in other words students will learn how use the language pragmatically and apply the structures to the everyday needs.

This method will also teach you "how to learn a language" that you might find very useful if you want to study another language.

What is expected from the students?

Students are kindly requested to follow the instruction from the teachers, sometimes you might be asked to draw, cooperate to solve problems with your fellow students, evaluate yours or someone else homework. Learning a language is about communication with different individuals therefore group exercises will develop your communicative abilities.

It is also very important that you complete your homework; for every hour spent in class you should do 30 minutes for homework, revision or self study.

.What is the role of the teacher?

Teacher is an old fashioned term for us. The teacher is now a facilitator who will help the students rough our learning strategies to discover the new language. This shifts the attention from the teacher (the master of the subject) to the student who is now in the center of the learning process.
The result is a more relaxed atmosphere and more active interaction between the participants.

What kind of material is used?

We use various book depending on the ability of the class: Rete! Caffe' Italia, Espresso, etc. Sometimes the teacher might present a lessons based on a song, or a video, magazine advert, newspaper article.

What about grammar? I have problems with learning the grammar.

In our courses the grammar has a relevant part. The student will acquire the grammar via a series of oral activities where the grammar is "discovered" and then applied under the guide of the teacher.

What about Italian culture?
Learning the Italian culture is part of our courses, the teacher will offer opportunities to discuss this topic.

How many lessons/hours do I need to do before I am fluent?

It is very difficult to answer this question. It really depends from the personal abilities, schooling and even emotional circumstances. A student becomes independent (level b1) with approximately 100 hours of study (divided between self study, courses, homework and practice with native speakers). Learners are considered independent when can express themselves without the aid of the teacher/ vocabulary.

I am going to miss one class, is going to be problem to attend the following ones? Can you email me the "stuff" you have studied in that class.

Before joining the class should check personal and work commitments, and try to attend as many classes as you can.

Missing one class does not compromise the entire course. Normally every lesson is quite independent but obviously poor attendance it is not going to benefits your learning outcome.

We can email you an outline of the topic cover but you will lack of the teacher guidance and classroom interaction/motivation. Therefore attending is the best way of learning.

When I try to speak a new language I feel really under pressure! Is this normal?

Yes indeed! But don't worry. Our classroom approach is studied to ease the pressure that students feel during the class. Only in a stress free environment good results can be achieved. The teacher will set enjoyable activities Fun activities are part of our curriculum such as group games, or lessons based on Italian songs.

The typical beginner course will cover

Introduce yourself, Numbers, alphabet and pronunciation drills, Gender and numbers in the Italian language, Buy a ticket at the station, Hobbies and personal interests , How to describe yourself, daily activities, Book a hotel room, check in at the airport, Order at the restaurant.

What are the topics of the lessons?

We are going to cover pretty much every topic and situation that might happen in real life.

How do you base the level checks?

Level checks are based on the ALTE directives listed at the bottom of this page

http://www.italian-lessons-london.co.uk/whyus.htm

I have studied before, can I join?
Yes but please come for a level check so we can fit you with other students that have your similar level.

Are the teacher native speakers/qualified?

Yes all teachers are native speakers graduated, and qualified to teach. The school train them further with the DITALS course which is the equivalent to Cambridge certificate CELTA

Can I try one lesson?
Yes it is possible to have a level check, it costs £25. It is not necessary for beginner but if you wish to enroll to the intermediate course you will have to be tested for level.

Level check or trial lessons have to be paid in advance by card.

How I can join?
Please fill the enrollment form and pay in full the course by bank transfer, cheque or card (credit card are subject to £5 fee)

Do you supply books, exercise books, grammars?
No we do not sell course books, cds or exercise books. Most of the material used the in the classroom can be purchased at the Italian Bookshop

The Italian Bookshop

Do you have references form other students?
Please read our references on our website
http://www.italian-lessons-london.co.uk/feedback-italian-lessons-london.htm

How many students in one class?
Normal group lessons have 6/10 students.

When do I need to pay?
All classes need to pay on the day that you book them. It is an advance to allow us to work around a busy schedule and offer you the best possible service.

When and where are your courses?

There is a course starting every month and we are in several locations in central London . Please see the site for info.

http://www.italian-lessons-london.co.uk/italian_lessons_london_angel_group.htm

What is your refund policy ?
We will refund if we cannot offer you the course you have enrolled. No exchange with other services or material.

Private Lessons

Do you offer Italian private lessons to my office or at home?
Yes we can cover most of the areas in London ; a teacher can visit you at your convenience.

How much is going to cost?
Please see price page

I want to study every day, twice a week, once a week, is it possible?  

Please contact us we will be happy to fulfill your requests.

Can I come to your school for private lessons?
Yes of course you can, we have several classrooms around central London .

Do you offer children’s lessons?
Yes we do at your premises only.

Are the tutors police checked and or CRB cleared?
Yes we do check all tutors for police records. None of our teachers have criminal records.

Can I have a female teacher?

You can request a female teacher if you are yourself female or for children's lessons. We cannot accent requests from male students requesting a female teacher.

 Can I study always with the same teacher?

We will appoint a teacher for each student or group of students but due to operation needs we cannot guaranteed that you will always have the same tutor. We all follow the same books and courseware and we share details about the lessons we teach, there will be no difference of quality of teaching between tutors. As learning a language is about communicating with different people students are encouraged to try different tutors.

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