Scuola Insieme: Reviews of the School

Stanford University senior Francesca Mattiussi-Seaman is bringing more than a little bit of Italy to her classmates. Mattiussi-Seaman offers students frustrated with the normal foreign language instruction a creative alternative to learning Italian in classrooms and language labs.

The program, which began last year and has no official ties to Stanford is offered during the summer in Grado, Italy, where Mattiussi-Seaman grew up. Students can spend up to ten weeks in the summer in the old-world town for $1,450 per four-week session.

Mattiussi-Seaman said she thought of the program after she moved to the United States five years ago. "I wanted to offer something to students where they could go to Italy and be totally immersed in the country and learn everything about life there," she said. "I was thinking of their interests, as students and as visitors."

Mattiussi-Seaman said her initial expectations learning English, French and Spanish in American and European universities and summer programs taught her that an alternative form of foreign language instruction would not only be helpful, but also popular with students.

The four students who attended the program last summer were pleased with their experience. Matthew Kratter, a Stanford senior, who was one of four original participants in the program, said the time he spent in Grado helped him learn to speak Italian more effectively than university language labs. A language lab can be "pretty boring," Kratter said. "The good thing about being immersed in the culture is that you pick up the intonation and the accents unconsciously."

Participants spend three hours in the morning and one in the late afternoon learning grammar, reading, as well as conversation. Between lessons, homework might entail a visit to the local grocery store, train station or museum to interact with native Italians. Mattiussi-Seaman also uses celebrated Italian music and poetry to teach students to distinguish different intonations and to appreciate some of the most beautiful Italian ever written.

The Stanford faculty members Mattiussi-Seaman consulted were optimistic and encouraging with their comments on implementing the program though she admits they were somewhat surprised when it actually worked.

"It's an imaginative approach to teaching language that is unlike most other language programs," said Jeffrey Schnapp, chairman of the Stanford Italian Studies Department. "You have small groups of foreigners in an entirely foreign place." Schnapp added that Grado is probably the best place to conduct an intensive program like Mattiussi-Seaman's because of its small size and lack of tourist traffic.

Other faculty find the program effective in its unconventional approach. "Because of its size, it's an extremely personalized program," said professor Robert Harrison, who teaches both French and Italian literature. "I would say that her personality is integral to the success of the program."

Because of the positive reactions of the students who participated last summer, the program's enrollment has jumped to 14 for the upcoming 1993 Summer Session. Stanford Senior Kim Yang said she will attend this summer because she wants to learn the language and the culture of Italy simultaneously. Mattiussi-Seaman's program also offers students a chance to live with Italian families in Grado.

"To experience another culture's family life is almost like an exchange program, so I'd like to stay with an Italian family," Yang said. "It's an added benefit."

Note: Certain changes have been made to the school since this article appeared.

Scuola Insieme, LLC
Via Leopardi, 37
Grado (GO) 34073 Italia
tel. (39) 0431.876.311
fax (39) 0431.876.591 Scuola Insieme, LLC - USA Office
PO Box 808
Greencastle, IN 46135 USA
tel. (765) 653-1430
fax (765) 653-1431