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My name is Klara Huss and I will be your child’s Italian teacher.
Italian, like Spanish, French, Romanian and Portuguese, is a Romance language rooted in Vulgar (“Common”) Latin. Standard Italian didn’t begin developing until the 13th and 14th centuries. It began as a dialect in Tuscany or Florence, Italian is the official language of Italy, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican City. It’s also the official language of some parts of Croatia and Slovenia.
Approximately 63 million people in the world speak Italian as their first language. An additional 3 million speak Italian as a second language. Various sources differ slightly, but Italian is around the 20th most-spoken language in the world.
After Italy, Albania is the second country where Italian is spoken the most, USA is the third country.
Italian is relatively simple to pick up. English and Italian share plenty of cognates, and a number of Italian words have already broken into our English vocabulary by way of the delicious and ubiquitous cuisine.
At MLU our students will achieve a beginner high or intermediate low proficiency level at the time of graduation.
The trips are organized by grade level or foreign language level. On October 12th, we visited Logan Center, opera Jason and Argonauts, 4th level students.
In December we plan to visit the “Istituto di Cultura”- Italian Cultural Center downtown Chicago. In April, we plan to visit Casa Italia-Museum of Italian Immigrants in Stone Park.
In December we plan to visit the “Istituto di Cultura”- Italian Cultural Center downtown Chicago. In April, we plan to visit Casa Italia-Museum of Italian Immigrants in Stone Park.
Why We Learn Chinese Mandarin
Chinese Mandarin has become an international language. By learning Mandarin Chinese at our school, students gain a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world, equipping them with the language skills and cultural understanding needed to thrive in the global community. We are committed to providing a comprehensive and enriching Mandarin program that prepares students for future success. Learning Mandarin offers several advantages:
Global Relevance: Mandarin is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, opening doors to diverse cultures, markets, and opportunities.
Cultural Understanding: Learning Mandarin allows students to appreciate Chinese culture, history, and traditions, fostering cultural sensitivity.
Economic Opportunities: As China continues to grow as a global economic powerhouse, Mandarin proficiency can be a valuable asset in various career fields.
What Skills We Learn
Our Mandarin Chinese program equips students with a comprehensive set of skills:
Listening: Students develop the ability to comprehend spoken Mandarin through various audio resources, enhancing their listening skills.
Speaking: Mandarin classes emphasize oral communication, enabling students to engage in conversations and express themselves fluently.
Reading: Proficiency in reading Chinese characters and texts broadens students' access to literature, news, and information.
Writing: Learning to write Chinese characters, along with pinyin, improves students' written communication skills.
Culture: Understanding Chinese culture fosters an appreciation for diversity and enhances cross-cultural competence.
How We Learn
Our Mandarin program employs a holistic approach based on 3 Modes activities & assessments:
Interpretive Activities/Assessments: Students engage in activities like listening to authentic Mandarin content, watching videos, and reading texts to develop their comprehension skills.
Interpersonal Activities/Assessments: Students participate in conversational exchanges, group discussions, and collaborative projects, enabling them to use Mandarin in real-life contexts.
Presentational Activities/Assessments: Students showcase their Mandarin skills through presentations, writing assignments, and assessments, demonstrating their language proficiency.
International Trips and Communications
We encourage students to explore the world through international trips, exchange programs, and virtual communications, providing opportunities for practical language use and cultural immersion.