"Jacquie is the only reason I take Italian at this school."

R.R., Psychologist

"This is the first and only time I've ever learned anything in any language class."

C.D. ,Writer

"Jacquie is both extremely knowledgeable in Italian and great fun."

E.F., Attorney

"Along with her wonderful technique, Jacquie offers warmth and a feeling of family in her class. We haven't just learned together over the past five years. We have grown to care about everyone in the class. I look forward to going every week and hope it never ends!‚"

B.D., Psyhchologist

"I've never stayed with a class and enjoyed it so much as I have with Jacquie. She's made going to Italy, or even an Italian restaurant, so much more fun. Mostly, I just love going to her class. She is unique!"

P.G., Attorney

A recent story:

I had a student who was middle-aged, traveling to Europe for the first time, going only to Italy and traveling alone. She came to me to learn "just enough to be able to get around" . . . not my usual teaching approach but I put together the necessary phrases and vocabulary and taught her how to read and pronounce properly. Clearly, in the six to eight lessons I gave her, she wasn't going to learn the language in its entirety. First I asked her what she planned to do, where she was going and how she was going to get around. Then I indicated to her some key words she could recognize., for example, "try on". Instead of trying to say, "Excuse me. Can you tell me where I can try this on?" She needed only to learn the word "try on", both to say it and to recognize it when said to her, even though shrouded in a medley of other words. She managed to learn dozens of such words and short expressions and to read and understand such words such as "exit", "entrance","gate number", "closed‚" "open", "sold out", and the most important, "I would like".

When she came back she called to tell me how fabulous her trip was and how much more she enjoyed it because she was familiar with the language and the custom differences. She thanked me profusely. And of course I beamed with satisfaction. I love Italy and am genuinely pleased when others do as well.

Another student who had been studying with me for only a few weeks recounted a story of her experience in going to a familiar, neighborhood restaurant. The maitre d' greeted her, "Buona sera, Signora!" And she froze. "I was so tongue-tied, I couldn't open my mouth!"

My advice to her and to all my students is to prepare yourself. Have ready what you are going to say before entering a shop, restaurant, ticket window, whatever. There are often many choices, so select one and make it your own. Once you get over the hurdle of that first response, your confidence level will soar and mental blocks will vanish.

Everyone profits from shared experiences in the classroom, even the teacher !