Italian for Children
We teach children Italian as they would learn it while growing up in Italy: by hearing it. They play games, listen to stories, do crafts, and sing songs. As they participate in these pleasant activities, the children develop vocabulary, improve conversation skills, and develop writing ability.
Three levels of classes, each building on the previous one, are now being offered. The classes are organized by student age, but accommodations can be made depending on language skill and level.
Please note that additional classes could be arranged upon request during the week, in the afternoon. If you are interested in this or another class not presently offered, please contact us at: info@icc-sd.org
OUR CLASSES
PARENT AND ME - ages 1-4
Give your child the gift of a second language
Did you know that learning a second language at an early age develops the intellectual potential of our brain?Take your toddler to a fun filled class of movement and song at the ICC and introduce your child early to the sounds of the Italian language. During the pre-school years, children take in sounds and language as they move around or simply stay in their mother's arms. They can effortlessly develop perfect pronunciation without any accent all while playing and having fun.
Caregivers can learn right along with the children!
This is not a drop off class; parents or caregivers must stay and are an important part of the learning process.
Italiano attivo I - ages 5-8 students develop vocabulary and simple phrases and questions through fun and stimulating games, stories, crafts, and songs.
Italiano attivo II - ages 7-10 students continue to develop vocabulary and conversational skills and simple reading comprehension, writing and grammar skills are introduced through fun and stimulating themes and activities.
Italiano attivo III - ages 9-12 for heritage speakers and advanced students, to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and expand reading, writing and grammar skills through fun and stimulating themes and activities.
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Gabriella Pozzoli
Gabriella, who is also part of the Children Educational Committee, joined the ICC several months ago. She has a BA in Foreign Language and Literature from the University of Naples . She has developed extensive teaching experience in Italy as a High School Teacher and in the US as a children as well as adults educator. Gabriella is very stimulating and proactive and we are very happy to have her onboard.
Gabriella has some interesting plans for her advanced class.
Starting February your kids (who are already doing a fantastic job speaking the Italian language) will have a wonderful chance to also learn writing it while having fun! They will in fact be writing a “Giornalino” (newsletter) in Italian which will be also published in the ICC official quarterly Newsletter.
Consuelo Endrigo-Williams
Born in the northern Italian city of Pordenone, Consuelo Endrigo-Williams achieved her Laurea in Art History from the University of Bologna in Italy. While studying for her degree, Ms Endrigo-Williams lectured and conducted art laboratories for young students for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Bologna in the Education Department. Additionally, Endrigo-Williams guided visitors through various exhibitions at Villa Impero. Before moving to San Diego in 2008, she worked in New York City’s prestigious art galleries and museums, including The International Center for Photography (ICP) and Grassi Studios. Due to an intrinsic attraction to visual art and languages, Endrigo-Williams is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Italian Studies from the University of Venice.
Ilaria Tabusso
Born and raised in Rome, but with family origins from Torino, Ilaria got her University degree in Literature and Philosophy from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. Before moving to San Diego she taught Italian to foreigners in Rome. In San Diego, she has taught for several years at UCSD Extension and at the Italian Cultural Center, to both adults and children. Although she loves traveling and no longer lives in Italy, her “italianità” is with her wherever she goes. She loves her culture, food and way of socializing!
She feels that languages are the mirror of the culture and the society. To her, there is no better way of sharing her own culture and love for her country than teaching her own language: Italian.
