Registration Begins 1/4 for Italian Language Classes at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum

Registration for the spring semester of Italian language classes offered at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will open on January 4, 2011, and classes begin the week of January 31. Tuition for the 15-week semester is $135 for museum members, $150 for non-members-only $9 per session for members or $10 for non-members.

Beginning students may register for "Introduction to Italian Language, History &?Culture, Part I." Held on Saturday, 9-10:30 a.m., Louis Leonini's alternative course presents vocabulary, conversational dialogues, everyday phrases and basic grammar that assist the beginner in feeling confident speaking one of the world's most beautiful languages. This course includes Italian historic cultural highlights. Students should be willing to do a half-hour of homework per week.

Continuing classes, which may require prerequisite courses, are:
"Introduction to Italian Language, History &?Culture, Part II" Sunday, 10-11:30 a.m. Instructor: Louis Leonini
This is the second semester of the Intro course and continues its alternative approach designed for beginners. Building on basic grammar, vocabulary, theme-related dialogues, everyday phrases and cooperative strategies learned in the first semester, students will engage in meaningful conversation, view language DVDs and perform oral recitation. Immersion in Italian language and culture will include an appreciation of Italian music.

"Journey Through Italian Language, History &?Culture" Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Instructor: Louis Leonini
This course will be conducted primarily in Italian, putting into use all the grammatical structures learned in our popular "Introduction to Italian Language, History & Culture," parts I and II. The focus will be on conversational Italian for everyday use, based on topics a traveler or tourist would need to be able to freely engage Italians in their own language. The culture part of this course will explore the roots of the Italian language, Italian history, and modern day Italian issues. Italian cinema, and its impact on worldwide cinematic history, will also be explored.

"Accelerated Italian I" Monday, 7-8:30 p.m. Instructor: Maria Bonavita
This course is designed for beginners committed to gaining proficiency in Italian language and culture. Students will learn essential grammatical structures needed for effective communication in speaking and writing. Through the Communicative Approach, students will use the language as a creative tool in preparing dialogues, skits, and role-playing. The pace of the class is determined by the commitment of the majority of the students. Students should be willing to practice 15-30 minutes daily.