School Info + Class Descriptions


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❄️WINTER 2024❄️

SCHOOL INFO & CLASS DESCRIPTIONS


• Fun, lively, interactive • Small class sizes • Innovative teaching approach • Learn through stories, culture & conversation!


❄️ Classes & lessons are online, allowing you to easily attend from anywhere, as do a growing number of my students.

❄️ I’ve adapted my classes to take place online while still creating a feeling of connection through small class sizes. We’re making technology work for us!


Advantages of learning at Italiano with Jodina

  • You’ll be learning and speaking Italian in context from day one, as you learn about the language and culture in a supportive, enjoyable environment.  Focus is on functionality and fluency.
  • Students in my Italian classes report greater progress (and more fun) than in traditional language courses and apps. [Reviews]
  • Lots of folks who don’t love traditional learning situations find they make great progress in these classes!
  • Classes are engaging and relaxed — reasonable workload, no tests!
  • Courses include access to a custom online language practice lab. The “lab” features custom dedicated online instructional material such as custom printable materials, audio recordings, videos, and interactive exercises for practice between classes. All lab resources are accessible from any device.
  • Language concepts are presented and practiced in a clear, practical way.
  • Original class curriculum and materials created by Italiano With Jodina have proven effective with hundreds of students over the course of 10+ years.
  • Convenient times & location (these days, it’s anywhere you’re online).  Small class sizes.
  • Easy online registration.
  • Help stamp out monolingualism . . . Sign up to learn the world’s most beautiful language today! 😀

NOTE: Registration in advance required

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(Questions? Wondering which class or study strategy is best for you?  Contact Jodina)


TEACHING APPROACH:  “Hands on.” Not your typical language classes. Everything we learn in class, you’ll begin speaking and actively practicing right away. That’s the secret to getting comfortable with the language.

Unlike many language courses that dig down deep into grammar and then maybe one day (if you’ve stuck around) get down to the business of actually using it actively – we go there first and approach grammar through the side door on an as-needed basis to aid us in speaking better, not as an exercise unto itself.  At IWJ the belief is that people studying a language have the goal first and foremost of communicating and being confident doing so, and that’s where we put our focus.

Any grammar (aka the mechanics of language) you learn will be in context – meaning you’ll first learn language to accomplish something practical, then have a closer look at the nerdy grammar underbelly.


Beginner 1 Italian

Aim: Begin acquiring the basic tools necessary to successfully understanding and communicating in Italian using basic language in practical situations. If your goal is to build a solid base to achieve fluency, it all starts here. This is the original Italiano With Jodina course featuring proprietary materials, content and practice techniques that take you beyond passive knowledge and get you speaking with confidence.

Skills / Topics / Applications . . .

♥ Greetings & introductions ♥ Polite expressions ♥ Questions ♥ Pronunciation (alphabet and sound system) ♥  Gender & plural of nouns ♥ Numbers ♥ Telling time & dates ♥ Articles ♥ Prepositions ♥ High-frequency vocabulary ♥ Restaurant, food, drink language ♥ Introduction to common verbs (regular & irregular) in present tense ♥ Learn the “building-block” method to formulate simple sentences and communicate basic concepts  ♥ Adjectives ♥  Possessives ♥  

This class will give you a good grounding in the basic language structure of Italian in an easily digestible format, and you’ll gain a solid foundation to build on toward fluency.
 
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Beginner 2 Italian

This class picks up where the Beginner 1 course leaves off.  For students who’ve taken Beginner 1 course (or the equivalent) and are ready to continue progressing toward fluency. The focus is on reinforcing basic skills and knowledge gained in Beginner 1, while adding new vocabulary, grammar and syntax, always with a view to practical usage.

The aim is to increase vocabulary, basic grammar understanding, and fluency in expressing and accomplishing essential concepts and tasks in Italian. The Beginner 2 course also paves the way for an easier transition to a pre-intermediate class.

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Pre-Intermediate Italian

This course is for you if . . . 
You’ve completed Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 (or the equivalent). You’re clear on basic concepts, such as gender and quantity agreement (masculine-feminine-singular-plural) for nouns, adjectives, and articles. You understand present tense and simple sentence structure. You know about prepositions (di, da, a, in, su, etc), and prepostional articles (del, alla, sulle, etc). You’re still working on perfecting your use of these, but you get how they work. 

In this Pre-intermediate Italian course, you’ll study Italian in context using short simple stories as a means to seeing the language in action and exploring more advanced grammar and gaining new  vocabulary. You’ll practicing correct usage in ways that apply to your own life, including discussions, Q+A, and comprehension exercises. Special focus will be given to mastering conjugation and learning to correctly use the passato prossimo tense. An enjoyable, hands-on course to take your Italian to the next level.

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Spotlight on Speaking (formerly Focus on Fluency)

Put that passive knowledge to work, and become a more confident and competent speaker of Italian!

Who this class is for:  You have a functional grasp on grammar, and you’re ready for an opportunity to speak more, to hear and understand spoken Italian, and express yourself with greater ease in response.

What we do:  Ahead of each class meeting, students read/study/familiarize themselves with an assigned article or other reading in Italian that will serve as our springboard to discussion.  Typical themes: Italian culture, travel, traditions, celebrations, biographies, customs, arts, history, geography, and gastronomy.

Aim & Focus:  The aim of  the Spotlight on Speaking courses is to encourage speaking and increase fluency, while building vocabulary and the ability to express thoughts and opinions with greater ease and confidence. 

‘Spot  Treatments’: During class, we’ll address and practice new or challenging language and grammar on the spot as they come up, providing an excellent opportunity for real-time help and feedback.

👉Here’s what students like about this fluency-focused course :

“It gave me that push I needed to speak more.”

“I enjoyed getting to know each other in a small group, and I felt safe trying to speak and making the inevitable mistakes you make when you’re learning and improving.”

“Learning new words in the context of a conversation or theme was helpful for me.”

“I liked being able to get diagnostic feedback on grammar, pronunciation, and language usage right on the spot, in real-time, as we were speaking.”

Note whilst grammar is not a focus of instruction in this course, students are expected to include the study, review and practice of correct grammar, and especially of verb conjugation, in their independent practice between class meetings, since the ready recall of these is critical to the comprehension and speaking skills required for success in this course.

We’ll focus on using the most useful Italian tenses for language learners (presente indicativo,  passato prossimo, imperfetto, futuro, condizionale). If you know other tenses, they’re welcome, too!

The class is conducted  entirely in Italian.

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Netflix & Learn (Open to anyone who has completed at least Beginner 1 level)

I’m excited about this new course! I’ll teach you my foolproof technique of using filmed media to take your listening skills to a whole new level. 

The actual watching will be done as outside-of-class work. In class we’ll talk about what you watched, focusing on understanding the meaning and looking at language structure, pronunciation and vocabulary.

The title(s) of the material we’ll be viewing will be revealed in the first class. Subject matter is PG, non-violent, non-political and falls in to the comedy crime-drama category. A super fun and entertaining way to kick off your weekend, boost your  listening comprehension and deepen your knowledge of Italian.

Note: Netflix subscription not included.

Register Now!

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La Musica! (Open to anyone who has completed at least Beginner 1 level)

This course is going to be so much fun!  Each week we’ll learn a different song, and I’ll teach you how to use music as an effective and enjoyable vehicle to improve your language skills.

We’ll cover different artists and genres. Materials and exercises will include song lyrics and my unique approach for using music to hone your listening ability. You’ll increase your vocabulary, and grow your understanding of language structure and culture.

Register Now!

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Italian for Travel (Open to anyone)

Essential Language + Travel Tips

 This enjoyable 4-week course teaches Italy travelers  the basic language and cultural know-how needed to navigate Italy confidently,

Prepare for a trip to Italy and quickly learn essential language needed for shopping, restaurants, transport, hotels, and more. Gain critical information on what to do and what not to do in typical travel situations, how to stay safe, and how to  interact graciously with locals.

What this course is not: This is neither a travel planning course nor is it an in-depth language class. Great on its own, it also pairs well with a Beginner or other level Italian course, which will give you a greater understanding of the language and pave the way to fluency.

Get on the insider travel track, get Italian Travel & Culture Savvy!

NOTE: This course is eligible for the BOGO38%OFF offer.

Register Now!

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(Questions? Wondering which level, class or study strategy is best for you? Contact Jodina)


2023 Session Dates: April 19-June 10


BRIEF TEACHER BIO:

Jodina Gallo has over 25 years’ experience teaching Italian, Spanish, and English to adult learners from all walks of life (kiddos, too) in Italy, the U.S. and Mexico, in both private and public schools, and holds a current California teaching credential with a specialization in foreign language teaching.

Her innovative approach to language learning is dynamic and interactive.  Jodina is a fluency expert and is known for her easy-to-follow and engaging teaching style.  Her 10 years living, studying, working, and teaching in Milan, Italy, provide her with invaluable insight that she shares with her students.

==> FULL BIO>>


(Questions? Wondering which class or study strategy is best for you? Contact Jodina)

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