Here is a rather fine Italian word, which we like to think applies to our unique Italian Language Course at the Watermill. It is ottimo, which translates literally as ‘optimum’.
I am grateful, as ever, to The Local, the English-language online newspaper for drawing my attention to its use over here. The Local’s Jessica Phelan writes: “One of the things I love about speaking Italian is that you can use words whose direct English equivalents rarely get an airing. Ottimo is a perfect example: while its closest English relative is ‘optimum’, I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I’ve ever said that word aloud. Ottimo, however, I say – and hear – just about every day. Italians use it much like we say ‘great’
La cena è stata ottima, grazie.
Dinner was great, thank you.
Ottimo lavoro!
Great work!
Well, we think our Italian language course merita un’ottimo, top marks. We still have a few places left on our course this October, and we’d love you to join us.
One thing you can be sure of is that you will have an optimum time! Our special week-long language course, where you can soak up Italian and enjoy la bella vita iItaliana, will be running this October. The dates are Saturday 16 October to Saturday 23 October 2021.
The Watermill has teamed up again with the wonderful Italian language tutor Francesca La Sala, to produce a week in which you can learn Italian in the most natural and enjoyable way. Your immersion into the language and culture of real Italians will be also be individually customised, to suit your curiosity and your interests, helping you to treasure everything you learn and make it a seamless part of who you are.
This exciting language course is suitable for all levels of ability, because of the special approach of the Langues Services language school in Florence, who initially developed the workshop at the Watermill. The philosophy and method are inspired Professor Bertrand Schwartz of Paris University, who overturned the concept of teaching to adults, with a method that not only develops theoretical knowledge, but practical know-how as well.
The aim is to enhance the personal qualities of each student, tailoring the teaching to their needs and ambitions, establishing active and confident relationships, where the student is the true protagonist in the course.
One previous course participant said: “A super language week: well organised, giving us a taste of the ‘real Italy.’ Despite the disparity in ability our tutor managed to help all of us towards a better understanding and production of the Italian language. The lessons were fun, interactive and helped me enormously.â€
Another added: “I can honestly say it was the nicest week I have had for a long time. Francesca was charming and very patient.â€
I have made one of those fun, 30-second Facebook slideshows to try to capture some of the atmosphere of our Italian language week. You can see it by clicking here.
Everything is included in the cost of your holiday at the watermill: tuition, accommodation, pre-dinner aperitifs, all meals and wines (including outings to charming local restaurants) and all local transportation (including transfers to Pisa airport and an excursion by train to Lucca or the Cinque Terre).
You get to Pisa, Italy, we do the rest!
And you will be Cool and Green: all our rooms are air-conditioned, powered by photovoltaic panels which make us self-sufficient in electricity.
Francesca La Sala
16-23 October 2021
A novel approach to learning Italian
To learn more about Francesca an her course at the mill, please click here.
Come and join us for an optimal Italian experience!