ABOUT US AND CONTACTS
THE COURSES
ITALIAN FOR SPECIAL PURPOSES
ART COURSES IN ITALY
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THE
SPECIAL METHOD USED IN THE
SCHOOL PORTA D'ORIENTE
"And a disciple asked:
tell us of teaching. And he said: nobody can reveal anything to you, except
what already rests half-asleep in the roots of your own knowledge. The
Master that walks with his disciples in the shade of the temple doesn't
lavish his knowledge, but rather his faith and his love. If he is really
wise he doesn't impose you to enter in the abode of his wisdom but drives
you to the threshold of your mind. The astronomer can tell you about what
he knows of space but he can not deliver his knowledge to you. The musician
can sing you the rhythm that pervades creation but he can not give you
his ear that halts that rhythm neither his voice that resounds it. The
vision of a human being doesn't lend its wings to another human being.
And as each of you is alone in the conscience of God, so each one must
be alone in his knowledge of God and in the knowledge of the world
"
Kahlil Gibran, The prophet, 1923
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE METHOD
 The teaching staff consists of experienced, university-trained
professionals with a solid experience in the teaching of Italian as a
foreign language. Some teachers have worked abroad with students of very
different nationalities and levels and have acquired a particular sensitivity
to the specific demands of every participant. The service of reception
and didactic orientation offered by the tutors is based on the didactic
principles of the "project work": upon their arrival the students
will determine with the teachers the level of their linguistic knowledge.
The teachers will help the students clarify their real purposes and they
will plan together the stages of "the learning-project".
On a basis of a standard program, some grammatical and
conversational subjects can be decided and planned together with the students.
YOU CAN STUDY ITALIAN WITH AN ITALIAN STUDENT
The school promotes linguistic exchanges with Italian
speaking people in an informal context: you will speak Italian during
meetings which can take place at the beach, at a restaurant or at a bar.
Our students find this method very useful to improve their speaking skills.
Two people
speaking different languages ( i.e.: an Italian and a foreigner) can
work together to help to improve their knowledge of the foreign language
while discovering some aspects of the partner's culture.
THE PERSONAL ATMOSPHERE OF THE SCHOOL
The main characteristic of the school is the personal
and informal atmosphere and the helpfulness of the staff both during and
outside the lessons. For this reason classes are small because we think
this helps students to overcome shyness and encourages their involvement
in the class.
THE TEACHING MATERIAL
The teaching material is produced by the teachers
according to their long experience. Various authentic materials have been
collected and are used during the course: video-cassettes, cd roms, newspaper
articles, films, songs, literary texts.
THE EMPHASIS ON THE ITALIAN AND REGIONAL CULTURE
Our school offers several cultural activities
inside and outside the courses, included in the price (guided tour of
Otranto, typical-products tasting, visit of an olive-oil mill, typical
dance lesson etc.). For us it is important that students learn not only
the language but also the culture.
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SURFING
SPECIAL OFFERS
ACCOMMODATION IN OTRANTO
ABOUT THE REGION AND THE TOWN
UTILITIES
DISCLAIMER
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