How often do you visualise yourself booking a holiday abroad, turning up and being able to just delve into the local lingo? Sitting in an Italian restaurant, ordering yourself a glass of wine and a plate of pasta and just watching the world go by. You could spend a week of your holiday just getting by on a few good key phrases – this would be made much easier if you had taken a few conversational classes as opposed to buying that phrase book that was sitting unopened in your hand luggage!
Languages can be tricky, for some, especially when placed under pressure in a classroom situation, and many of us dream of being able to switch from one language to another. It isn’t that easy. Being relaxed and put at ease is half the battle and that’s where Language for Fun come in. Making learning a language fun and not a chore!
Visit Chislehurst met up with the wonder Giulia, who runs Language for Fun in Chislehurst, and here’s what we found out:
Where are you from originally?
I’m originally from Lecco, on Lake Como. I grew up surrounded by mountains and that’s one of the things I miss the most here in London! Lake Como is a very pretty part of Italy, very close to the Alps and Switzerland, but also not far from lovely cities like Bergamo, Milano and Como.
What do you like about England?
Living in London was one of my dreams as a teenager. I moved here 20 years ago and I never looked back! The English countryside and the politeness of the English people are two of my favourite things!
What made you set up the classes locally?
I have been living in Mottingham for the past 9 years and I wanted to spread my passion for languages to the local community, offering classes which are well structured and fun, but also affordable. A place where people can come together to socialise and learn a very useful skill in a stress-free environment.
How do the classes work? Do you have to remember lots of vocabulary?
The lessons are divided into sections – each week we learn 10 new words or phrases, a grammar point and we practice conversation. The teacher will spend time on areas dependant on the class’ needs. We do lots of repetition to help memorise the vocabulary, but students also have access to our exclusive online platform where they can practice at their own pace from the comfort of their home.
Is it a good way to make friends locally? What are the other benefits of taking the classes?
Personally, I think that people keep coming back term after term not because of the language, but because of the people in their group! These classes are a great way to socialise and have a laugh with people who share the same passion for languages. Over the years, I have had students attending the classes for all sorts of reasons, from having family abroad, or wanting to learn for work, to travelling or wanting to keep their brain active!
What makes Language for Fun different to other language classes? Our lessons cater specifically for adults and are all about socialising rather than exams. Our method is designed to give every student the confidence to speak from day one in any situation, as our conversations are based on real life situations. Students will never have to speak in front of the whole class if they don’t want to and we speak several times in pairs or all together to build students’ confidence gradually. Lessons are affordable and the programme offers progression – some of my students have been coming for over two years! I am always happy for people to come and try a class to see what Language for Fun is all about!
Where do the classes run?
All our evening classes are held in the Queen’s Head pub on Chislehurst High Street! They kindly reserve a side room for us, so we can enjoy our classes undisturbed.
What advice would you give to someone who had never taken language classes as an adult?
It is never too late to start! Everybody can learn a language with a bit of practice and the right support! We will never expect perfection from our learners as even the teachers make mistakes sometimes! The important thing is to gain confidence and have fun while you are doing it!
Which class would you recommend to a beginner Italian or Spanish?
Our Beginners curriculum is split over 4 levels as we like to take things slowly! If you are a complete beginner, then Beginners 1 is the level for you. However, if people are unsure about their current level, we have a very useful level test which can point you towards the right course for your ability!
If you would like more information about the classes, please contact Giulia at Language for Fun.
