Siena Language Study

 Siena Index

ABOVE: Michela, a teacher at the LSA language school in Siena, hosts a vocabulary game at the whiteboard.

In January, 2001, I enjoyed a "language vacation" at the Dante Alighieri language school in Siena, Italy. It was one of the most delightful travel experiences I've had in years, and I would have extended my stay by months if I'd had the time, money, and freedom. Here's a brief description of what I encountered as a DA student in Siena:

My classmates

My Italian class consisted of nine students: Mats, a technical stagehand at the opera house in Gothenberg, Sweden; Goshi, a cook at an Italian restaurant in Japan; Minna, a Swedish math teacher in training from Uppsala; Masumi, a Japanese seamstress; Marie, another Swede; Lucie, a Canadian from Montréal; Fernanda, a restaurateur from Querétaro, Mexico; Tina, a Dane from Aalborg who had just gone to work as a tourist guide at a wine estate in Montalcino; and Durant Imboden (a.k.a. yours truly) from the USA.

Except for me, the students ranged in age from 22 to 28. This concentration was a little unusual and probably reflected the fact that not many "language tourists" visit Siena in January. Year-round, the student body's age distribution is surprisingly diverse:

Students are also of many different nationalities, including Swiss (16%), German (15%), Americans (14%), Australians and Japanese (11% each), British (10%), and others (28%).

Next Page > Teachers, classes > Page 1, 2, 3, 4

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