by Anthony Parente

I want to thank Giuliano Di Ciocco from the Italian Learn Language School for taking the time to answer questions Italiansrus.com has about the school. The Italian Learn Language School works closely with the municipality of Lucignano, Pieve Vecchia's Parish and the town's Folklore Group in order to offer to the students a unique and different opportunity not only to learn Italian, but also to approach the customs and folklore of the region. They are also sponsored by Bancasciano and they have recently obtained the patronage of the Regione Toscana (Regional Government of Tuscany).

Where is Lucignano located and how close is it to some of the more popular tourist destinations in Italy?
Lucignano is located in a very interesting and beautiful country area, right between Arezzo and Siena, within just an hour drive of Florence and Perugia and two hours of Rome and Pisa.

What separates Italian Learn from all of the other language schools that teach Italian to foreigners?
Italian Learn is a completely different and innovative kind of project, for we do not only teach Italian, as many other language schools do, but also folklore and traditional dances, which we strongly try to preserve. In this way the participants can have a real taste of Tuscan customs, by integrating completely with local people.

What can people expect from your language school?
Our school has been created to allow people to learn Italian language and culture while having fun. Our staff is composed by mother-tongue experienced teachers and we can count on the support of the whole population of the town.

How long have you worked with the municipality of Lucignano, Pieve Vecchia`s parish and the town's Folklore Group?
We have been collaborating with the town's folklore group for years in order to promote Tuscan traditions worldwide. Moreover, we have recently begun a project with the local Director of the elementary school, Nicoletta Bellugi, who has included in the weekly school programme some traditional dance classes, so that our children begin to train when they are six years old and then join the Folklore Group when they are older.

As far as the Pieve Vecchia Parish is concerned, we have only recently started to collaborate with this community, but, with the precious help of the priest, Delio Secciani, who has always been concerned in social activity, we have immediately started to work at full rate on the project.

As for the municipality, we are proud to claim that we have finally found a major, Maurizio Seri, who is always keen on supporting new projects in order to constantly develop Lucignano and make it a popular tourist destination.

I would also add that our project is supported both by the Ministero degli Affari Esteri (Italian department of foreign affairs) and all the Italian Cultural Institutes worldwide, besides having the patronage of the Regione Toscana (Regional Government of Tuscany).