Previously (2014 & 2015), I attended classes only in Firenze (Florence). This time, I chose to attend school for two weeks in Lucca and two weeks in Firenze. Lucca is a rather small city of about 90,000 people and is located about 2 hours west of Firenze, by train. It is famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls. In fact, you can walk or bike around the inner city on the walls; a distance of about 4 kilometers.
Wikipedia has much information on Lucca, if you click here.
Like most language schools here, we have the option to stay with a local family or in an apartment. I've always chosen the home-stay option as it complements the total-immersion method of learning. You have to speak Italian or go hungry!
During my first week in Lucca, I stayed with the Milianti family; consisting of mom, dad and twin 16 year old boys. Our evening meals were quite lively, to say the least. Unfortunately I could not continue there as my room (a loft, really) was not conducive to good study. There was no desk, other than using the end table and sitting on the bed. I also had to keep my head down to avoid the hand hewn beams.
I've since moved to the Giambastiani family, consisting of mom and dad (and two cats). I have a really large room, with a private bath. There is also one other student here; a young German-speaking girl from northern Italy. She also knows Italian, but it is not her first language. We have interesting chatter while eating and watching the news.
As I write this (Oct. 12), I'm nearly finished with school in Lucca. The name of the school is Koinè Center and the learning method is much different from any of my previous classes. We are typically given a situation (in grammar or conversation), and then we are to talk amongst ourselves! Heaven help you if the alpha male you're paired with is clueless in Italian!! I much prefer being lead by the instructor, while still being required to think and speak in Italian. We are having a good time though, as all of the conversation helps us build sentences quickly, even if they're not totally correct. Also, we are getting to know a lot of nice people (the two young girls from Germany, excepted).
On Saturday I move to Firenze, where this story will continue.
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