Too Young, too good

April 4, 2008 · Filed Under Culture · 4 Comments

It’s test preparation time on many of the Master English courses at the moment. This means I have all the students prepare a short oral presentation in answer to the common job interview question ‘Tell me about yourself’.

The test preparation is always interesting for me as I get to see many students’ CVs, and I often discover interesting things about many students.

This year one young lady, who in Italian terms is very young at 23, caught my attention. Why? Well, because this impressive individual has managed to complete both a 3 year and a 2 year degree by the time she was 23. Believe me when I say that this is incredible in a country where many do not manage to finish their degrees much before the age of 27, or older.

How did this youngster manage such a feat? Quite simple really. She started her second 2 year specialist degree before finishing her first 3 year degree course. Talk about enterprising, and her marks were impressive too.

You’d expect this person to be as happy as Larry, but she isn’t. In Italy’s topsy turvy world, she feels that she is too young. And she’s feeling quite disillusioned. It’s sad for me to see her this way. She’s done damn well and deserves praise for her efforts. Back in the UK she would have been snapped up as a high potential employee in no time at all, I’m pretty sure.

I’ve tried to give her a little encouragement, as I do with many of my students (I love to see people do well), but it’s not really my place, not being Italian.

Hopefully someone will recognise her potential and give her the opportunities she merits.

Tags: degree, girl, impressive, Italian, Italy, lady, master, study, too young, university

Man of Roma

January 28, 2008 · Filed Under Italians · 3 Comments

Man of Roma writes a thoughtful blog. And he writes it very well, in my not so humble (see previous post) opinion. I wish I could write in Italian as well as he writes in English. One day, one day.

He even knew Montezemolo and says he is a good chap. This is interesting because it goes some way towards confirming my media developed opinion of Montezemolo.

Moving back to Man of Roma, he should be regarded as a shining example of just how well an Italian, or any other nationality for that matter, can learn another language. And I shall use his blog, and that of Rod - the Wind Rose Hotel blogger - to inspire all of those students of mine who think they are just not up to the job.

“Rubbish”, I shall retort, when I hear the ‘I’ll never learn English’ comments - just look at Man of Roma and Rob’s blogs. You can do it!

Yet more reasons why Italy can pull itself out of the mire.

Tags: blog, English, good, good blogs, impressive, interesting, Italia, Italian, Italy, Language, montezemolo