Private Language Tutor

In Italy

The Svampa FamilyThis family was my first host family. I stayed with them for one month. They are a traditional Italian family. They live close to all of their relatives and are devout Catholics who were kind enough to share their beliefs and traditions with me. When I first arrived, the mother didn’t know a single word in English. By the end of the month, we were able to communicate in English and understand the majority of our conversations. Part of my program was to teach this family English so the best way I felt to do that was to talk with them. I conversed with this family for hours daily, sharing my language and explaining my culture, religion and lifestyle, while teaching them new English words and phrases. I also helped the girls with their school work and tutored them in English. I definitely saw improvement, even though we were only together for one month.

Montelupone, ItalyThe first month I was placed in a small town called Montelupone. I taught English at both the primary and secondary schools here. I had 13 classes, consisting of ages 6 to 14. I planned different types of lessons, usually around their English book, so I kept them on track with what they were supposed to be learning. I played a lot of games and activities in these schools, especially with the young ones at the primary school. The primary school was very difficult to teach because they know very little English and so I had to become a great actress and use my hands and body to explain everything. It got easier towards the end. Teaching English primarily with hand and body gestures is actually a very effective way to teach. This is the way that most babies learn their first words. These schools were wonderful. The students were well behaved and respected the teachers, including myself. Sometimes they were quiet and very shy, so getting them to loosen up was a challenge for me. I learned how to direct a classroom here in Montelupone and to keep the kids engaged and interested. I want to be a teacher so this experience here helped me to determine the age group I work best with. While I love the little children, I preferred working with the older students because I could see improvement more easily. I also was able to teach more than just English with the older students. I was able to share American and British history and culture.

The Annese FamilyI stayed with the Annese family for two months. They were far from the traditional Italian family, and actually reminded me of my own family. This family consisted of a grandmother, mother and daughter, Angelica. Angelica has become the little sister I always wanted. I was challenged to teach all three English, but after one week, I was surprised at how easy it would be with this family. This family enjoyed learning English. They wanted to speak, learn and take notes, even at dinner. Angelica is practically fluent after two months. The first day, she was uncomfortable speaking English, but now it is so natural for her. Having an English native in their home has been beneficial for all of them.

Along with tutoring and helping Angelica with her homework, we spent a lot of time together just talking. This family was also kind enough to travel with me and show me the secret gems of Italy that not everyone knows about. The Annese family is my second home and I will always love them. They have taught me so much about their culture and life. I have grown significantly, just from knowing them.

Potenza PicenaThe second and third month I was placed with a new family in a different city (slightly larger), called Potenza Picena. Here, I taught 10 classes and only at the secondary school where my students were ages 11 to 14. This school was where I faced the true challenges of teaching. The students here were more loud and disrespectful in the classroom. I learned that I couldn’t be the best friend all of the time and I needed to discipline them, in order for them to take anything away from the English lessons I prepared for them. This was difficult for me to do, but with time, I managed to gain respect in all of my classes here. Sometimes I wanted to cry when they would not listen, because it was so frustrating to listen to them screaming in class and acting wild. But I learned to stay strong, be patient and work with them because they are only children after all. This is also where I discovered that I want to teach higher education. In order to keep these students interested, I needed to have very exciting lessons. I learned to be creative in this school. They were in love with American Pop culture, so I incorporated that in as many lessons as possible.

The Teaching ExperienceI enjoyed working with all of my students so much. Good bye’s have been the hardest part of my entire internship! The thought of not seeing their faces every week, brings an emptiness inside, because I am very close with my students. I enjoyed using their English books to create lessons. Most of the lessons I made consisted of listening and speaking. We did do some writing and grammar but conversation was the most efficient, because I felt if we focused on the most difficult part of learning another language, the rest would come easier. And it has.

This is me in action, teaching my students American Disney songs. I gave them worksheets with the lyrics printed on them. They had to fill in the blank with words they heard from the songs. After we translated the songs together, I explained new words and they took notes. I found that music is one of the best ways to learn another language, because it is fun!

I absolutely love every single one of my students. It is true that in order to have love for someone, you must serve them first. I have found so much joy and purpose in teaching. I have seen students become more comfortable with English and be excited about learning. I have seen many “ah ha!” moments, when the students finally understand what I am teaching. These moments are exciting and have made me feel that I have successfully helped them in their education and in their life.

Gaining experience in a classroom has really prepared me for my future as a teacher. I feel much more confident about teaching and have gained skills and different teaching styles that I didn’t have prior to coming to Italy. I feel truly blessed to have been able to get hands on experience in a classroom, where I can be fully in charge.

I have made many friends from this experience. I adore all of the teachers that I worked with and I know that they will remain in my life forever. I have made a network abroad and they have offered to write recommendation letters for my future jobs and graduate school applications. Their knowledge and experience has been beneficial to me and I have enjoyed learning from them.

After this internship, I plan to apply to graduate schools. Although I spent a lot of time teaching English, I still had time to myself. I made a goal to read one book a week and have successfully made this goal a habit. I have expanded my knowledge while here and have began to study for the GRE. I am not only a teacher here, but a student of Italian language and culture. I have learned more than I ever could from a textbook about Italy and about the language. Brushing up on my Italian that I studied for two semesters has been beneficial for me. I feel more prepared to take on another language, like Latin, which I have always wanted to learn.

The Rewards

Italians have a lot of love for people. They especially love Americans. My students were fascinated with my life and wanted to know everything about America. They often drew me pictures, gave me gifts, wrote me kind notes and expressed love in many ways. The first day of teaching ended in hugs from every student in my classes. And the last day ended the same way, but this time with hugs and kisses on both cheeks. Leaving my students is heartbreaking, but knowing that I have made a difference in their life makes it easier. My students are my friends and their kindness has touched my heart and filled me with love and gratitude to have had this experience here in Italy.

The Love

Some Of My Classes

I also learned how to cook…

PASTA! From scratch

And many other dishes!

My Studies Coming To Life

I have studied beautiful art and architecture for the past few years and seeing it all in person, instead of on a screen or in a book, has made me appreciate the humanities EVEN MORE! I couldn’t have chosen a better major. Knowing the significance of the things I was seeing, really made my experience that much better.

The School of Athens by Raphael is much larger than I anticipated!

To see the masterworks of Michelangelo, was quite an emotional experience for me. I am amazed at the talent of many artists. I am in awe at humanity and what we can create. The Sistine Chapel was a wonderful experience for me. Visiting The Vatican Museums was also a very spiritual experience for me. To see many works of art depicting the Savior, Jesus Christ was magnificent. If it weren’t for Him, these works would not exist. It is also refreshing to see religion as such an important aspect of human life. We can see God present in history if we study and see art and architecture from all time periods.

Rome is an incredible place!

Still can’t decide if I like Florence or Rome better. Both were fantastic!

I lived by the Adriatic Coast. I visited it often to seek peace and feel the Spirit. I love the

nature in Italy.

The Food The food is as good as they say. I ate pasta every day for lunch, because that is what they do in Italy. Pasta and pizza will never taste the same in the States again! I have also become more aware of what I eat. I feel healthier and can see a significant change in how I feel physically, because I am eating more natural and fresh. Italy has changed my eating habits forever. But I still love GELATO because it is divine!

I traveled outside of Italy too…

I got to see more amazing art and architecture!

Paris

London

This internship was perfect for me because it kept me very busy. I was always researching and creating new lessons and I loved teaching these lessons to my students. I also enjoyed

teaching my wonderful hosts families. I learned so much about Europe and especially Italy. I wouldn’t change a thing.

I feel that this was a true capstone for my humanities degree. Not just the traveling and seeing what I studied, but the study of human beings and the differences among us is

what the humanities is truly about. I feel that my experience has made me a better person and helped me to understand people and tolerate differences, which I wasn’t very good at prior to this experience. I have fallen in love with Italy and everything about it. I will cherish this experience forever,

because I feel it has prepared me for my future in education and in the family.

My Overall Experience

Ciao Italia!!!

I recommend this program to everyone. It was a wonderful learning experience and a great way to travel and experience

other cultures. I went through a program called

Geovisions. I found Geovisions by searching “volunteer

teaching English abroad”. This program is available in other countries including France, Spain and many more!

Costs: $1, 435 Flat Fee for 1, 2 or 3 months (Flight costs not included)

The program is volunteer, but you received so much in return.

Check it out: Geovisions.org

My Program