Euro ConverterWe have done language courses in four languages in various cities across five countries so we have some experience of how a course should be. This year it was Italian’s turn again and we wanted to go to the South of Italy, particularly to Puglia where we’d never been. As capital of Puglia the beautiful city of Lecce was a logical choice, and Lecce it would have been had we not stumbled across, on the internet, a series of reviews of l’Acanto School in Mesagne. All reviewers were loud in their praises; one, a fellow Australian, had taken the trouble to fill out an entire page of positive comments and on contacting him for confirmation it was apparent that for him, a seasoned language course goer as well, this was the best language schooling he’d ever had.
That was enough for us: we scuttled the Lecce plan and embraced Mesagne and l’Acanto School.
We could not have made a better choice. What we wanted was the best possible opportunity to improve our Italian inside school and out, in a town that was undemanding, not tourist jaded and with access to traditional Pugliese sights, wine and cuisine. And that’s exactly what we got.
So far as regards the school part of the eduction we said what our priorities were at the outset and almost without noticing it, we were delivered what we’d identified. But the much more subtle and probably effective part of the instruction came via the contacts we established in the town, almost without exception through the school principal, Michela and her colleague Anna Rita but in a way that seemed remote from a staged meet-the-people; instead a natural flow on from our presence in the town.
No doubt that aspect of the school’s services is made easier by the attitude of the townspeople. This is the South where (perhaps almost incomprehensibly to Anglo-Saxons) welcoming strangers is a way of life. Even more so in a town where outsiders are relatively rare and no one is tired of the tourism thing. From (newly made) friends, people in the street and shopkeepers we received warmth, often generosity and sometimes an embarrassing excess of the latter.
Mesagne is an unpretentious town. We hope it will stay that way until we do a follow up course at l’Acanto.
Michael & Margaret R., Adelaide, South Australia,
Diane T., AUstralia,l’Acanto was and exhilirating and enjoyable experience particularly due to Michela’s generosity with her time, knowledge, family and friends. I hope to return for a longer stay. There are many more meals to eat, wines to drink and people to meet in Mesagne.
Siham R., London, UK,I have spent 2 fantastic weeks at L’Acanto School in Mesagne.It was a very memorable time. The experience was beyond expectation.
From the start the response on emails from the Director were very helpful .
I sensed the warmth and interest in advising the course that will help me improve.
The school location is in vicinity of good family restaurants, pubs wine bars.
Mesagne is a lovely city to discover.
The morning arriving in school was a warm welcome.
Being few in the class each of us had the attention needed.
The teacher was patient and very passionate about her work.
She gave interest in the progress of her students.
I enjoyed each day being there.
After the group class I had an extra hour one on one lesson with Michela and she helped me tremendously improve in tackling my weak points.
My Italian tutor in London complimented my improvement in
Communicating.
The Director also carefully planned my train schedule
each afternoon and week ends to Lecce, Otranto, Polignano and Ostuni.
She always made sure I was comfortable. I could not thank her enough.
No word is enough to show my appreciation.
Without hesitation I highly recommend the school.
When I can I will return again
Moira N., UK,I spent a lovely week at L’Acanto. School was well structured and tailored to the needs of each student so everyone benefited. My objective was to prove to myself that I could bridge the gap between studying Italian and actually being brave enough to risk speaking it! – and this proved the perfect way to do this ie., in a small school, away from the big centres. I stayed in a private apartment and opted to join the family for lunch every day. The family was very kind and patient with beginners like me so we managed to communicate very well which felt like a real achievement. My Italian tutor back in the UK was very impressed by my increased confidence in speaking the language and this has continued, so I can highly recommend L’Acanto! In fact, I am already planning to be back next year!
