Language and Culture School ... Giardini Naxos

Happy New Year ... at this time of year it is traditional to make a new year resolution.

How about learning a new language?

How about combining a holiday with learning to speak Italian in the beautiful seaside town of Giardini Naxos in Sicily?

Centro Didattico Mediterraneo is a Culture and Language school which is located 50 metres from the beach in Giardini Naxos. Didattico means teaching. The school faces the beautiful Naxos bay dominated by Mount Etna.

Established in 2014, the school's objective is to become a complete cultural centre open to all. Aside from Italian it is also possible to learn other languages.

The Italian courses are aimed at learning the Italian language through Italian culture and in particular Sicilian culture.

The centre offers private accommodation within the building, rooms have a sea view balcony, private bathroom, TV and desk for studying and homework. There is a common room with a billiards table, TV, a study room with library, kitchen for tastings and cookery classes. Also there is a small gym.

Italian language courses comprise of standard courses structured in six levels from beginner to advanced that can last from one week up to as long as you desire. Individual classes are also available, also Italian business courses for those who need to use the language for professional reasons and touristic courses aimed at better language skills for those working in the tourist industry.

Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regards to the arts, music, literature, cuisine, history and architecture, which is why it is a fun way to learn Italian through the islands culture.

The centre also holds Italian and Sicilian cultural courses including Sicilian cookery lessons, theatre courses, Italian cinema, history of art, history of the Mafia and antimafia, Sicilian painting and decorating and Sicilian myths and legends.

What more could be better than experiencing reading recipes in Italian whilst learning to cook the Sicilian way, or learn the language though techniques of narration, recital and writing in a theatre course. Learn the historic evolution of Italian cinema, or through the history of art, the history of the Mafia, myths and legends and through literature or learning the painting and decorating methods using materials and artistic techniques of the famous Sicilian decorative style.

The teaching is based on a communicative method allowing you to acquire the Italian language in a natural way by means of manuals and learning materials from culture and society like books, magazines, newspapers, videos and music even guided tours.

The aim is to give their students the possibility to combine an enjoyable holiday with an interesting and relaxing approach to learning.

The centre is perfectly located in Giardini Naxos the first Greek colony in Sicily.

According to ancient historians Naxos was founded in 734BC after a ship was blown off course as it sailed to Southern Italy and Naxos became the first Greek settlement in Sicily. The ruins, defensive walls and parts of a temple are enclosed within a nicely kept archaeological park.

Modern day Giardini Naxos is a fully fledged town with a port and long stretches of beach with a promenade lined with tempting restaurants, bars, gelaterias and boutiques. In the summer months beach life comes alive with water sports, boat tours and fun. The seafront promenade is lovely for a walk any time of year when you can join the locals for the evening passeggiata.

From the town it is easily possible to reach Taormina in a short time by bus and it is also the ideal base to discover the eastern side of Sicily and Mount Etna.

Giardini Naxos is a lovely little town and the perfect location for a holiday ... well I am biased, I live there.

The language centre oozes a tranquil and relaxed atmosphere and everywhere you look there are books (lots of them) and interesting maps, artwork and posters on the wall. The décor is neat and modern with traditional Sicilian features such as art and ceramics. The guest rooms are perfect for chilling out after your lessons. Breakfast is offered at nearby Bar Salamone. The top apartment has a beautiful sea view terrace with a gazebo.

I visited with my English friend Norma who teaches English classes there, she introduced me to Nino the owner and founder of the centre who was lovely and welcoming and gave me a personal tour, unfortunately I did not get to see the gym as there was a yoga class in progress.

A lot of thought and attention to detail has been put into the centre to make it a place of tranquillity for learning.

After my tour I sat in the comfortable reception area talking all things Sicilian (my favourite subject) with Nino and Natale, who manages lessons and timetables, with a cup of coffee. Nino's knowledge of Sicily, its culture and history is astounding and he had me mesmerized as he told me things about Sicily that I had never heard before.

Aside from Language and Cultural classes the centre also hosts book presentations with authors, cultural meetings and debates and painting, sculpture and photography exhibitions.

Also conversational drink sessions and wine tasting with local produce. In the private gym you can practice yoga and martial arts.

So there is my new years resolution .... This year I will be perfecting my Italian touristic language skills, learning more about Sicilian culture and definitely partaking in the wine tasting.

For more information visit www.centrodidatticomediterraneo.it

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