Hello From Sicily My First Day Of Classes A City Tour And A Pizza Tasting
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Greetings from Sicily: My First Day of Classes, a City Tour, and a Pizza Tasting
Introduction
Traveling for language study is not new to me. I've previously studied Spanish at the University of Havana and in Cuernavaca, Mexico. My love for the Spanish language is deep, but Italy also beckoned with its beauty?"a perfect setting for my next language-learning adventure.
Arrival in Sicily
After three and a half days of exploring Taormina, it was time to focus on my primary goal: learning Italian at the Babilonia Language School. Though I hadn't formally studied Italian before, my background in Latin, French, and advanced Spanish gave me a good foundation. I took an Italian grammar book along to prepare as best I could before arriving in Sicily.
First Day at Babilonia
I arrived at the Babilonia Language School at 8:45 AM. A warm Italian welcome awaited us with coffee and homemade chocolate cake prepared by Ciro, a local restaurateur. Although the weather was less than perfect, the rooftop terrace offered breathtaking views of Mount Etna and the surrounding mountains?"a fitting backdrop for our introduction to the school.
Meeting Fellow Students
About 12 new students joined us from diverse locations such as England, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Finland, the USA, and Canada. Alessandro Adorno, the school's founder and director, introduced the program. We introduced ourselves by passing a small soft ball, which was a fun way to break the ice. Most of my fellow students had some familiarity with Italian, unlike two completely new to the language.
Placement and Classes
After a written and verbal assessment, I was surprised to find myself in the Intermediate group, despite never having formally studied Italian. Surrounded by students who had been learning for weeks, I embraced the challenge.
From 11:40 AM to 1:30 PM, we engaged in role-playing exercises focusing on complaints?"a practical way to simulate real-life scenarios. Though somewhat nerve-wracking, it was effective and gradually boosted my confidence.
Embracing the Babilonia Approach
An afternoon presentation further detailed Babilonia's philosophy: language learning should go beyond grammar to include emotion and local culture. Our lessons comprised Language Analysis and Communicative Tasks, designed to enhance both verbal and written skills.
The schedule allowed for private lessons and featured a coffee break where we could order lunch delivered by Ciro's Bistro. Reasonably priced, it was a convenient option amidst Taormina's expensive dining scene.
Exploring Sicily
At 4:30 PM, we embarked on a walking tour of Taormina with Peppe Celano, Babilonia's social activities coordinator. We visited the impressive Greco-Roman Theatre and strolled through bustling Corso Umberto. Peppe pointed out practical spots, like the local supermarket and the town's only coin laundry.
Pizza Tasting Evening
In the evening, we gathered at Bistro for a Sicilian pizza tasting. I enjoyed engaging conversations exploring world events and shared experiences with fellow travelers. A Dutch programmer recounted her serendipitous global encounters with a French couple, underlining the magic of travel.
We found common ground in our love for travel and languages, a fitting end to a day rich with new experiences. As the evening wound down, I prepared to rest up for the following day's adventure?"a tour of Mount Etna.
Conclusion
My first day in Sicily combined exploring new friendships, local culture, and language immersion?"an exciting start to what promises to be a fulfilling journey.
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