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.