dear EF italian learners,

buongiorno!
would you like to practice your italian? I was thinking it would be fun and also useful for some of you who need italian for the most various reasons to have a regular group meeting along the lines of the legendary prof. taratonga's German Conversation Group.
I don't think there is an existing italian conversation group already, at least I couldn't find one with the search function.
I would see it as an informal and fun occasion with chats and drinks in which learners for business, family, holiday, or simple pleasure of varying levels could practice their spoken italian and exchange information and tips about my beautiful crazy country.

we could think of a theme for each evening starting from a newspaper article reading, a film viewing or a short presentation or whatever else is adequate for starting a (more or less heated...) discussion on politics, love, football (hmm,I'll regret that), fast cars, fashion, luxury, beautiful landscapes, great food... or even mafia, corruption, widespread poverty and general decadence. in short, everything you wanted to know about italy and never dared to ask (or never asked because your italian wasn't good enough ).
as for my qualifications, after graduating in italian and latin I have done a lot of adult teaching in germany, including italian language and civilization courses at university and taught italian at different levels at volkshochschule and private schools. I then chose to do something different for a living and wouldn't want to start teaching again, but the conversation courses were real fun, for me too! they introduced me to the soft side of the german soul

so, if you think it could be useful or interesting, let me know by post or PM so we can start thinking of a good venue. I haven't been in zurich for long yet, so I rely on your help to find the right place depending on how many come.

oh, last but not least: this offer is NOT commercial. I see it as a way of giving EF back some of the great help I received from this forum in the past months.

I look forward to receiving you feedback and suggestions!
a presto!

Hi !

I find the idea really nice and it is exactly what I am looking for...
Let me know when we have enough people !

mailanie

lovely mailanie, thanks for your interest!
I'm trying to assess if there will be different levels of proficiency around which we can certainly find a common denominator.
how long have you been learning and how often do you get to practice? do you need italian for work or study...?
you can PM me, if you prefer, but it might be interesting for others, too.

it's important that the level must not necessarily be advanced, but that anyone who has a fair understanding of spoken italian and medium grammar can and should join as a way of improving in a fun way.
in my most "efficient" conversation group I had participants of quite different levels, which made our sessions really lively!

What a wonderful offer - I so wish I could join but sadly I live too far.
You are not Lucia by any chance?

no, sorry to disappoint you odile, I'm not lucia...
but if this group ever gets started and you do come to zurich I promise we'll have an extra session for you

Thanks for such a great idea. I would like to practice my Italian too.

nice to hear from you, goulya!

Dear Venice

Thank u for this, it is a great idea!
I learned some Italian at school 15 years ago and unfortunately I have a basic level but have some books and apps on my iPhone to practice from time to time!

If this is on please let me know. I'm available in the evenings after 17.30 all weekdays except Tuesdays n thursdays. As for the place don't u worry about it I'm sure we can find many places in Zurich

Regards
Wholpers

Ciao Venice !

Actually I have never really learnt italian (I had one year initiation at school when I was 12 ) but and I'm french and I speak fluently spanish. So I'm sure I could learn italian very quickly by practicing it... I already understand all written italian and even spoken italian if it's slow enough. I just can't speak yet !

I'm free every evening too, preferably during the week.
It looks like a small group is starting

it is indeed... but all girls until now, right?

the first boy to join is entitled to a free drink. va bene?

Anything against girls?? 😄😊😃

certainly not... it just makes a converstion more lively to have some "opposing opinions" from the opposite sex

I'm wondering how many of you know or already enjoy reading the learners magazine "Adesso". it used to spark quite a few interesting conversations and learning opportunities in my former conversation group.
it belongs to the Spotlight, écoute and Ecos "family" and is really well done in my opinion.

I read it regularly, especially like the parts about traditional Italian businesses.

I would like to join too, Thursdays and Fridays would be best

Buon anno, cari amici dell'italiano!

nice to hear from you too, SunnAr.

it looks as if we could get started in a couple of weeks, if would be good to have a couple more joining in.

let's start thinking about a venue, too... any suggestions from zurich experts?

r u really from Venice?I'm from Treviso

no, but a true "veneta", too, from Belluno, Dolomites
wanna join our conversation course?

It's great to see this sort of initiative; well done Venice for showing the punk spirit.

wait a minute - weren't you telling me that your italian could do with a bit of brushing up?! prego, si accomodi, Zio Max!