Euro Converter“Go to Puglia!”
Mary W. , Montreal, Canada,
Those were my instructions once I decided to spend 3 weeks in Italy to improve my Italian.
The L’Acanto language school in Mesagne, Puglia promised a unique experience in a quiet southern Italian town surrounded by history and natural beauty…away from tourists.That was exactly what I was looking for.
And what an experience it was, from the very first day when two other students treated me to an impromptu feast at their apartment to the last when I had to say goodbye to the residents who had welcomed me into their homes and into their hearts.
There is no doubt the director of the school is totally devoted to teaching. Her passion and her exceptional organizational skills made the lessons fun and focused. The lessons carried into the busy market place amongst the fresh seafood, the cheeses, and the tree ripened fruits. They continued amongst the century old olive trees, the cactus pears and the fig trees and they moved onto the warm sandy beaches with the crystal clear waters.
Each day was a new adventure. After class, I would hop on the train and journey to the fairy tale like world of the Trullis or visit historic towns perched on high cliffs overlooking crashing waves or venture into stunning caves deep underground or find silence at the site of a terrible massacre by invaders more than 500 years ago.
Fellow commuters on the trains were as interested in my life as I was in theirs. Long conversations boosted my knowledge of the language and gave me a unique glimpse into their lives.
So in this small quiet town in Puglia I did find what I was looking for.
I was so delighted to have found this gem. While answering my first mails it became so clear, there was a very ambitious team at work. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for a fab week in Mesagne and with lacanto.
Peter S., Düsseldorf, (Germany),
10 hours and a week time is clearly insufficient for anything, but thanks to many activities around the lessons and an individual learning formula that helped me to pinpoint my weaknesses and bettering them, it was more than worth.
The additional input gained from conversations with Italian friends of the school made the difference for me. A dedicated teacher, even after hours nothing was too much. My compliments and appreciation for it, I will gladly come back.
Wondering where to go for your next Italian sojourn or for your first taste of learning Italian?
Terry J., retired Operations Manager, Australia,
Disappointed with the last Italian school for foreigners you attended? Looking for something different from the tourist traps of North and Central Italy? Well here is the solution.
L’Acanto: Soggiorni di Lingua e Cultura
8 weeks at L’Acanto
I’ve just returned to Australia after spending an unforgettable eight weeks at L’Acanto at Mesagne in the Puglia province of Italy, or, as the locals would prefer, in the Salentino. I’ve been travelling to Italy for over thirty years and have frequented quite a few Italian language schools in Umbria, Tuscana and Le Marche. I’ve always avoided the South, considered it economically backward, little to see of interest compared to Central and Northern Italy and lacking in culture and intellectual stimulation.
Well how wrong can you be to believe the stereotype that labels the south of Italy? I made the decision to spend eight weeks at the L’Acanto school in Mesagne based on reviews I had read on their web site and a detailed examination of other language schools on offer in Puglia. I wasn’t disappointed.
First, I must admit that I’m not a real beginner in Italian; with a bit of effort on my part I could easily pass for a local, although the local dialect was a bit beyond me. Second, Mesagne is not anything like the tourist spots of Tuscany or Umbria but it offered an alternative, somewhat subtle and different.
Let me tell you about the school. It is located in the Centro Storico of Mesagne in a building that was already old before my country was turned into a convict settlement. The school is quite small; able to accommodate 5 to 6 students at a time in each of the two well appointed classrooms, although in my stay 4 students was the maximum number. It is within easy walking distance of anywhere in Mesagne.
Next, let me tell about the Director and the teachers at the school. The Director is a truly amazing lady, with the ability to relate on all levels with the guests at her school. I use the term guests rather than students or participants because that’s what you are. She has an uncanny ability to determine your level and needs and adjust the lessons to suit the individual or to tailor the lessons to fulfill your needs or wishes. For myself, I admit that I was a bit lazy and not really interested in complex grammar (I learnt all that thirty years ago and do remember most of it); I was mainly interested in having some stimulating conversation. I come from a science background and the last three weeks I had there with Mimmo, my teacher, who has a classics and history background, were among the most entertaining and fruitful times I’ve had at a language school. Even if we didn’t agree on all topics, he at least opened my mind to the richness and splendour that once was the Kingdom of Naples.
What is there to see and do in Mesagne? Well more than first meets the eye. Mesagne is on the railway line from Brindisi to Taranto, as well as being serviced by a reasonable bus service. It is easy to travel to see the sights of Lecce or go to the beach at either the Adriatic or Ionian Seas. For me, I was quite content to wander around Mesagne or accompany one of the other students on a trip to a nearby site such as Otranto or Grottaglie. In fact, I didn’t have to arrange much at all as the marvelous Director took us on trips to see the trulli (stone houses) in Alberobello, off to Lecce for a Notte Bianca or a day trip to the family beach house, and trips into the country side to view the olive trees or an agricultural farming operation.
I am an enthusiastic amateur musician and enjoy immensely playing in the local town band. The Director arranged for me to meet the Band Maestro and I had a very enjoyable time playing with the City of Mesagne band. I was also fortunate to have a lesson with the Maestro most mornings before school as well, a real bonus.
What’s the food like? I was extremely fortunate to have lunch with the Director’s parents every week day during my stay. In eight weeks I was absolutely spoilt with the quality and array of dishes, simple Puglian cooking accompanied by chilled Malvasia wine. An extra bonus, apart from the conversation over the dinner table, was the occasional quotation of Dante by Gianni, the Director’s father.
I spent some wonderful evenings eating out with the Director and her friends and was constantly surprised by the excellent food, at very reasonable prices. I stayed in a small apartment during my stay, but there are some good B&B’s in Mesagne at very reasonable prices. The Director arranged all the details and I was very comfortable for the whole of my stay.
So for a quick visit or an extended stay I have no hesitation in recommending L’Acanto. The tuition is excellent, the food and accommodation are great, there’s plenty to do and see, the classes are very small and the most important thing is that the Director cares about you. She goes out of her way to make sure everything is right for you.
Try it, you won’t be disappointed.
“I enjoyed very much the month I spent studying at L’Acanto. I have studied at four language schools in Italy and L’Acanto was definitely the most enjoyable.
Ralph Alpert, retired lawyer from Santa Cruz, California,
The Italian lessons with our teacher were fun: we had many interesting conversations about Puglia and Italy, talking about politics, schools, language, health care, how to tell jokes, history, food, and so on.
I also liked Mesagne. It is a small town with a charming Centro Storico. It was near the end of the Roman Appian Way, but its history goes back further, to the 8th century BC. “