Italian Class

Today was day 3 of our Italian language class, we meet for 5 hours a day,  for a total of 12 sessions.  That's the entire extent of our language training, when classes start in a few weeks they will all be general business classes, and taught in English

The class I'm in, our teacher speaks 85% in Italian, and occasionally in English.  Maybe it's closer to 90%.  There is a fairly large range of ability in our class, some people have studied Italian for up to year, so I'm easily the worst student in the class, but I'm learning a lot.

In Italian, my name is pronounced "e-leet-za-bay-tuh," which is funny, and there are about 20 students in the class, all English speaking exchange students.  Some of the students speak French or Japanese as their native language, and are learning Italian in English... I can't imagine doing that.  I speak a decent amount of Spanish, and I expected that to be helpful since they're so simular, but actually it's just really really really confusing.  I can't remember if the word I'm thinking of is ACTUALLY the Italian word, or if it's the Spanish version, and sometimes they're the same.

For example, a useful phrase for learning a language is :

" How do you say _____ ? "

In Spanish:  Como se dice?  "Coh-mo say dee-say?"
In Italian: Come se dice?  "Coh-may seh dee-chay?"

Another example,

Spanish:   Siete = Seven
Italian:   Siete = You are

Needless to say, it's been an interesting few days.  After about hour 3 of class I tend to get a headache, but I am learning a lot.  Considering only about 1% of people in Italy speak English, learning some Italian is proving very handy.

Our teacher's name is Barbara, and she is great. 

The area around campus has a very strong college student vibe, it's a busy area with lots of students and places to find cheap food and drinks, little print shops, bookstores, cell phone stores, ATMs, etc.  Along campus there are lots of tiny places to grab a sandwich, and little stands selling gum and magazines

The block our campus is on, and the tram I take every day.

Rides are 1€ and you can buy 10 ride passes at the little stands that sell magazines and gum,

...if you can get them to understand what you're trying to buy.

 

More of the blocks around campus.  

 

There is graffiti everywhere around the city, and it doesn't seem to be related in the least to how safe or nice the area.  You really can't go more than a block with out seeing some, anywhere in the city.

Mini Cafe with a sidewalk running through it.

Mini Cafe up close.

At busy times there is a traffic jam with people using the sidewalk

and people waiting in line for their sandwiches and cappuccinos.

 

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 This is one of the little shops where you can buy bus cards, magazines, gum,

magazines, phone cards, newspapers, and magazines.

The little hole in the middle is where the attendant stands, they reach out to take your money, and always badger you for change. Apparently there is some sort of coin shortage in Italy. Prices are almost always rounded to the nearest 5c - I have only seen 1c coins a few times, and never used them.

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This is how students communicate in Italy.  The postings are all in Italian, so it's hard to know what's a listing for an apartment, a rock concert, a male enhancement supplement, or a math tutor.

This is the main building, where all of language sessions are.

FUN FACT:  The first set of door open in one direction, the second set open in the other direction.

 

It seems like every floor in every building of Milan is marble.

They set up a booth to answer questions for the international students.  : )

There are lots of students around, the full time students are in final exams for another few weeks while we study Italian, and then we'll all start new classes together in a few weeks.

Time to run across the street for some pizza, then get some sleep!

Leave a comment if you have any specific photo requests! ;)

Love,

Beth