TATIANA SH., JULY 2017
Tatiana about her Italian language course in Sanremo
FDA – Hello, Tatiana! Recently you have returned from your vacation in the city of Sanremo, Italy, where you also attended our courses. Would you like to share your opinion?
– Yes, for sure!
FDA – How good was your Italian before the trip?
– Before the trip my level was A1, and I had already passed the test. At that time, I started and almost finished preparing for A2, but have not passed the test yet.
FDA – You attended a 2-week course. Were there any significant changes? Was this period enough for you?
– Yes, the progress can be seen with the naked eye. However, I think that additional one or two weeks to consolidate the results would be perfect. Anyway, I started to talk in Italian. Practically everywhere! In the shop or in the ticket office. I was able to buy a train ticket by myself. I also started to use tenses in the conversation.
FDA – The motto of the school in Sanremo is ‘Study relaxing!’. How did you feel it? Share your experience, please.
– We were relaxing, for real. In the morning we had lectures, then ‘attività’ (various excursions, trips), in the afternoon – rest. It was a combination of relaxing and studying.
FDA – Is Sanremo a popular resort?
– Yes, there are many tourists in Sanremo, the sea is perfect, but I liked the beaches in the nearby towns more. However, in Sanremo there are no problems with the beaches: you can choose either paid or free beaches.
FDA – Did you take part in the genuine Italian aperitif?
– Yes, I did it twice. It happened in the popular with the musicians bar. The thing is that the festival is organized in Sanremo for many years in a row, and singers, musicians like to spend time in this bar. Italian aperitif is when you order just a drink, wine, or cocktail, and waiters bring you a dish with numerous appetizers: olives, canape, etc. You sit on the porch with the sea view, listen to music, have a great time. This is great.
FDA – What was the most interesting part about these courses in Italy?
– The teacher!
FDA – Fabio?
– Yes, in Italy we had Fabio only. I liked the everyday active work. And everything is in Italian! At first, it was difficult to understand Italian terminology. During the second week I understood everything! This is why I say that I would like to study for a little more, the third week, for example.
FDA – Did Fabio switch to Russian when somebody needed help?
– Yes, he knows Russian, but there were moments when we did not understand some words, asked him to explain in Russia, and then he translated.
FDA - What was the most difficult part during the studying process?
– There were no difficulties at all. I liked everything.
FDA – Did you live in the Italian family?
– Yes. I had an opportunity to choose, and I chose living in the family. I had a wonderful hostess: a young woman, around 40 years old. She cooked breakfasts and lunches, so we had a chance to chat. She has two kids – a girl of 10 years old, and a 6-year-old boy – as I understood, they were at their grandmother’s house at that time. I was having dinner on my own: prepared it by myself – the hostess did not mind at all, on the contrary, she provided me with everything I needed; also very often were having dinner in the restaurant.
FDA – What would you say to the future students of these courses in Italy?
– If there is an opportunity and you can afford it, you should go there. There is no place in the world where you can learn new words faster than in the foreign culture. You simply cannot learn new language faster and better in any other place.
FDA - Are you planning to continue your studies in Italy in the Cultural Centre of Fabrizio de André?
– I will definitely continue it in Kiev: pass all the levels. Talking about studying next year in Sanremo – yes, I would like to go there.
FDA – Do you have any plans about passing an international exam to get CILS certificate from the University of Siena?
– Yes, I do. You can pass this test twice a year – in winter and in spring. So I want to try it in winter.
FDA – Tatiana, do you learn Italian for yourself, or do you need it for your job?
– For myself. It somehow happened that I often travel to Italy. I have visited many cities. I really like this country. I would like to study in Italy as well.
FDA – Are Italians sympathetic people?
– Yes, they are very kind. When they see that you are a foreigner who tries to speak in Italian in the shop or in the restaurant, they have respect for you.