Maggiori informazioni: corso di formazione per insegnanti di italiano

Ilona, The Netherlands

I would like to take the time to express my deep gratitude to the directors, teachers and faculty at Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci in Milan.  I came to Italy with the absolute necessity to learn Italian to be able to communicate the important messages of my foundation and to be able to communicate and collaborate with organizations here in Italy who share in our mission of finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

None of this would have been possible for me to achieve if I had not had the opportunity to attend this school.  Throughout the duration of my enrollment, I personally never encountered an instructor who wasn’t full of energy and dedicated to my learning Italian.

In the beginning, I started out taking a basic level 1 introductory class.  My first language was English, which I believe for me personally, added some difficulty because of my natural tendency to translate from English to Italian, so needless to say my Italian did not come easy to me in my first several weeks.  But because of the dedicated teachers at scuola Leonardo da vinci, I was able to overcome a lot of the common difficulties of learning a completely new language, and begin to speak and at the level that needed to be able to in order  to effectively communicate both in business and personal settings here in Italy.

During my classes the teachers here were always helpful.  They always encouraged myself and the other students in my classes to speak, have fun and make many errors.  Because their Philosophy of learning a language is really true:  If you speak constantly and make mistakes, eventually with practice the correct forms of the language will come and in the meantime you will learn to be conversational.  That is so important and something that I took to heart and continuously tried to do while I was here.

When I wasn’t in class due to special engagements for my foundation and had questions or problems about travel issues both locally in Milan or long distance in Italy, every staff member at the school was always readily available to help.  In general, someone was always there for you if you need them for something.

My time at scuola Leonardo Da Vinci was a wonderful experience.  They have done so much more for me than just teach language lessons.  They have given me the ability to communicate and share the my personal emotions and stories living with cystic fibrosis, and further the goals of my foundation with many great people and organizations here in Italy.  I would have never been able to accomplish these things if it had not been for this school.  The people here, personally cared about my improvement and always challenged me to try to communicate better.

I have made great friends here with many of the teachers, staff and other students and I am sad that I will be leaving.  To me, there is truly not another Italian language school  anywhere else, like Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci in Milan.  I have had a great time learning and progressing through this school.  And I hope that one day when you decide that you want to learn Italian, that you choose this school here Milan, so you can have the chance to experience it for yourself.

If you want to participate, please send your picture in jpeg format to rome@scuolaleonardo.com .

No more than a few at a time otherwise our computers might experience a nervous breakdown!

Like the 2009 Miss Contest, there were 15 potential “Misters” representing many different countries like: India, Brazil, Panama, United States, Italy, Germany, Holland, Poland, Israel, Norway, Mexico and Switzerland.  Each “Mister” took one individual walk for the audience and then all 15 contestants walked together for one final chance to salute the crowd before everyone had to start narrowing down who they thought should win.

All the contestants were wonderful.  Everyone had great charisma and energy especially Alexander Cintelli from Norway and Leonardo Milano from Brazil.  They both had come out towards the end of the contest to a roar of applause.  The crowd really loved them.  And after the votes came in, that is why they undoubtedly took 3rd and 2nd runner up.  All the votes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place were extremely close, but at the end of the night the title of “Mister Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci 2009” went to Danny from Chicago.

He was very surprised that he ended up winning.  After he assumed the official crown he said, “ I was not expecting this, but thank you to all of you who were kind enough to vote for me….I really enjoyed meeting and learning Italian with all of you during my time here at our Italian language school in Milan.  Thanks Again!”

Each winning contestant received prizes that were generously donated by Roby and the Mayflower Pub.   We want to thank all the wonderful contestants, students and friends of  Scuola Leonardo and the local Milan community for there participation.

Be sure to check in next year to see who wins both the Miss and Mister Contest for 2010.  Or better yet, come and learn Italian here at Scuola Leonardo in Milan so you can be apart of these and other fun events.

Do you want to see some pictures of the event? Take e look to our Facebook page!

For further information please write to leonardo.moretto@scuolaleonardo.com.

That’s why we are now very proud to invite you all at the event/aperitif GLUB MEETS MOOGFEST on September 26th at 7.00 p.m. Via de’ Filippini, 4
Roma (close to the Italian language school)

Ceremonies start three days before the race, with the choice of the ten horses at the famous Piazza del Campo. The heat of the Palio is already palpable at the drawing. When the mayor of Siena reads the number of the horse and the name of the ‘contrada’ to which the horse will be assigned, the Piazza falls in a surreal silence. Within a few minutes this silence can be transformed in joy or in despair, especially when hostile ‘contrade’ participate. After the drawing of the horses all ‘contrade’ choose their own ‘fantino’ (jockey), who will ride bareback and dressed in the colours of his ‘contrada’.

Before the Palio starts, every ‘contrada’ organizes dinner parties in its territory. Spending an evening there with the ‘contradaioli’ is always very suggestive and amusing. Particular importance is given to the festive dinner that takes place at the day before the Palio, just after the ‘prova generale’ in which the horses and jockeys already take possession of the Piazza. The winning ‘contrada’ will have the honour to organize the ‘cena della vittoria’ (dinner of the victory), which of course is even more festive.

The day after the Palio the ‘Drappellone’ (called ‘Il Cencio’ by the Sienese people) will be transferred from the Palazzo Comunale to the Collegiata di Provenzano for the race of July (which is held in honour of Madonna di Provenzano), and to the cathedral for the race of August, which is held in honour of the Assumption of Mary. A few days before the Palio of August you can attend a special ceremony in the cathedral, when all ‘contrade’ offer a special candle to Mary.

During all this ceremonies, the city is captured by a festive air, but you will also notice a feeling of trepidation and rivalry between the different ‘contrade’ of Siena. Even if you are not a real ‘contradaiolo’ it is exciting to assist at this famous event and to taste the special sphere in the city!

Federica Cervo (Agosto 2009)

*The seventeen ‘contrade’ are: Aquila (eagle) - Bruco (caterpillar) - Chiocciola (snail) - Civetta (owl) - Drago (dragon) - Giraffa (giraffe) - Istrice (porcupine) - Leocorno (unicorn) - Lupa (female wolf) - Nicchio (seashell) - Oca (goose) - Onda (wave) - Pantera (panther) - Selva (forest) - Tartuca (tortoise) - Torre (tower) and Valdimontone (valley of the ram)

See the pictures of the Palio of Siena (on Flickr)
Study Italian in Siena

We specifically created this site so you can keep up to date with all of our latest information, events and course offers, anytime, anywhere, and for all schools (Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena).

This new site will give you direct access to all current and past Newsletters and Blogs done by the many of our students and schools staff.

You’ll be able to stay connected with us and other friends from Scuola Leonardo da Vinci also by joining our groups through Facebook and Twitter, following our videos on YouTube, and looking to our latest pictures on Flicker.  And the best part is that you will be able to directly subscibe to our Leonardo newsletter on this new site, so you can receive all this information quickly and easily.

So don’t wait!  Go to http://newsletter.scuolaleonardo.com/ and check it out!

Here’s a taste: La Dolce Vita, by William Heidenfeldt

See also: La Dolce Vita in Siena - Ten steps to experience Siena and the Sienese life