Euro ConverterEsther T., USA ,I spent a wonderful week studying Italian at L’Acanto. The school’s director and principal instructor, Michela, is a very talented teacher. She is exceptionally knowledgeable and takes her teaching—and Italian itself—very seriously. She manages to effectively address grammar and pronunciation issues while at the same time being extremely encouraging and good-natured. Michela also tailored the instruction to my exact needs and interests, and she was always prepared with individualized lessons and materials. There were opportunities to learn outside the classroom as well. One morning, for example, we went to Mesagne’s market (where, among other things, I learned that the word for cucumber is certriolo and that Puglian cetrioli are far more delicious than and look nothing like the cucumbers in my grocery store at home).
In addition to learning Italian from Michela or one of her colleagues, studying at L’Acanto provides a fantastic opportunity to temporarily live in a small city in Puglia, without the tourist crush of Rome or Tuscany. The school is located in Mesagne’s beautiful centro storico, which is surrounded by the more modern portion of the city. I was very fortunate to be able to stay in a beautiful, spacious, immaculate apartment in Michela’s family’s home, which was an easy walk to the school. If you have the opportunity to stay there, you should seize it! The apartment is also a short walk to Mesagne’s train station. It’s very simple to travel from Mesagne by train to other points of interest in Puglia, such as Lecce, Ostuni, Brindisi, and Grottaglie. With a car, there are even more options, but it’s certainly not essential to have one. It was a real pleasure to be able to travel so easily, especially with Michela’s enthusiastic guidance, to such beautiful, historic places that, in most cases, few other tourists seem to seek out. Another benefit of studying Italian in Puglia is that it’s much easier to find opportunities to use it. In places like Rome and Florence, people in stores and restaurants would often prefer to use their English. In Puglia, my halting Italian was always welcome.
I cannot thank Michela enough not only for her exceptional teaching but also for her kindness and helpfulness. It was a pleasure to spend time with her and with her lovely parents. Her father provided coffee for us at the start of every school day, and her mother’s cooking was simply amazing. (I still especially dream of her polpette di pane, and I aspire to make them someday myself.)
My only regret is that I spent just a week at L’Acanto. I still have a lot of Italian to learn, and L’Acanto is fantastic place to learn it. Next time I’ll stay longer. Grazie mille, Michela!
A Little Piece of Apulia
Hello Michela.
I can’t thank you enough for introducing me to your Mamma, she is the most delightful lady, kind and understanding of my inadequate Italian.
I will put it down to one of the most rewarding, memorable days here, over our three months in Mesagne.
I realize it was not a complicated lesson, but what I got out of it was more than enough. I will now have the courage to put these meals I have learnt today into practice. They were Italian meals that I would never ever tried to cook.
I would highly recommend having a lesson with the Mamma to anyone who is interested, not only for the local food experience but also for the enjoyment of learning something new.
Your father is a real character and a laugh a minute; my husband John and I really enjoyed his company at the table.
All in all both you parents are very generous with their time and effort put into welcoming someone into their home.
And to take away all the food that was cooked after lunch was amazing.
Thank you again.Ruth and John K., Queensland Australia,
Gerald Y., Teacher – British Council, Colombo, Sri Lanka,I have just returned from a week’s Italian course at l’Acanto Scuola di Lingua e Cultura Italiana in Puglia and was delighted with all aspects of the teaching. I have studied Italian before and since my level did not correspond with the other students at the school, I was lucky enough to have one-to-one lessons with Michela, the owner and main teacher at l’Acanto. The lessons were carefully planned to meet my requirements and the teacher went out of her way to find interesting, stimulating and varied materials covering all four language skills. She was always ready to explain any queries I had regarding language issues I had, and gladly offered suggestions about local shops and places to visit; in fact, Michela and her staff will accompany students to major places of interest in Puglia. The school is small, friendly and welcoming – an ideal atmosphere for improving/learning Italian. In addition, the school is situated in the beautiful ‘centro storico’ of Mesagne with lots of small restaurants and shops and narrow streets to explore. Fees are reasonable and I look forward to returning for classes during my visits to Puglia.
The School is beautiful and it makes you feel as part of a family when you join as a student. The headteacher, Michela, is a very good teacher. She is competent and inspiring and has a lovely, warm personality. She knows what she is doing and is meticulous about pronunciation which I appreciate. She cares about her students beyond what you can expect. She brings you to the market and you might have dinner with other students and her friends in a restaurant. Mesagne is a nice experience even though it is a bit off! If you can rent a car it is excellent.
Agneta D.,Netherlands,
