I went to Italy having very little idea what to expect but fully willing to give my best effort thinking that if it was too hard I would just go home. I ended up staying for 10 weeks. Other testimonials you'll see say that being a tutor is 'hard work' and they would be right. Running around after children, painting, jumping, singing, dancing, coloring, and playing games alongside other tutors from all around the world does work up quite a sweat. And then you go home to an amazing host family who sees it as their mission to fill you with food and entertain you Italian-style. So yeah, it is hard work but if you pass it up it's your loss. I had the best summer of my life in Italy, learned so much and can't wait to go back! - Jordan Baker, USA 2009

If you want a taste of the real Italy, ACLE is for you. I've learnt more than I could imagine; met amazing people; travelled and experienced a fantastic country and culture; taught some awesome children and earnt some money along the way. What more could you want? – Clem Studholme, United Kingdom 2009

 

Host Families

Throughout my experience as a tutor in Italy I have loved every family I have stayed with! I always felt welcomed as part of their family, and that they are interested in where you are from, what your interests are and what your background is. It is great to keep in touch with families after you've left, as many of them become great friends. Most of all they are always enthusiastic about improving their English so they always try and talk, especially over a beautifully cooked Italian dinner and a glass of wine! – Andrew Laing, UK 2009

A home away from home is an understatement. Host families go above and beyond to make your time with them as pleasant and enjoyable as possible. Be prepared to list all of your favorite Italian dishes on the spot because along with keeping a smile on your face, they aim to have your stomach smiling just as wide. Nothing hurts like saying goodbye but fear not, another amazing family is always just a train ride away!  - Josephine Sinagra, 2009

Italian families are generous hosts and it is a great privilege to be welcomed into their homes for a week or two. The food is always amazing and host families have always included me in everything they were doing from nights on the town to barbecues with their friends. All of the experiences have been different, and with each one I have learned more about the Italian language and culture. I still stay in touch with many of the families I have stayed with through facebook and email. – Benjamin Curtin, 2009

I've always heard rumors that Italians accept you as family as soon as you walk through their door but with A.C.L.E., it's more like as soon as you meet them at the train station! After completing two summers with A.C.L.E., I now have a handful of Italian moms, dads, brothers and sisters. There's nothing quite like having an Italian family: the food, the hospitality and the friendships stay with you long after you leave. – Sarah Dillie, 2009

The host families are great! They treat you like a member of the family, and are some of the most warm and giving people I have ever met. And of course, when you add great Italian home cooking! I can honestly say that staying with families has been on of the best experiences of being a tutor for ACLE. – Michael Rodriguez, 2009

 

City Camps

No two City Camps are ever the same. With every new City Camp begins a new adventure full of new tutors, students, camp directors, host families and a beautiful city to explore! The eagerness of the children to learn the English language, their readiness to participate in the interactive lessons you have prepared and their constant, ever flowing energy is what makes each day even better than the one before it. During the Final Show, you will find yourself overcome with immense feelings of pride and joy, while witnessing how far along your students - all of the students - have progressed and how confident they have become with themselves and the English language.  – Josephine Sinagra, 2009

I have worked at numerous city camps in different locations. The concept remains the same but each tutor is guaranteed a unique and personal experience. At city camps I have seen Nun's throwing water balloons and 100 Italian children singing the operatic section of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in perfect harmony. I've been based in a large cities and small villages up high in the mountains. The camp directors are helpful and accommodating and the children's enthusiasm is infectious. – Jules Reid, UK, 2009

This is not like going to school! Songs, games, and creative activities fill your day from start to finish-and the crazier, the better. Each camp you are given the opportunity to work with new tutors and directors, all with new ideas and unique experiences to bring to the group. One week will fly by so quick, so be sure to jump right in Monday morning! – Rachel Barker, USA, 2009

City camps are an amazing experience. I usually stayed with host families through city camp and they have always been welcoming. You have the evenings free to do things with the tutors and families you are staying with. This year alone I visited Pisa, Florence, Venice, Treviso, Sienna and Rome through being at city camps close to these cities. The camp itself is also great fun with morning lessons and afternoon olympic games or activities, and I always love the challenge of the show at the end of the week. My favourite show this year was dressing my class up as people from history e.g. Napoleon, gladiator etc and using an English song to portray a version of "Bill and Ted's excellent adventure!" – Andrew Laing, 2009

 

High School Campus

What a fantastic experience! I worked with highly motivated students who just needed the right opportunity to express what they had learned in the classroom for so long, and this was it. It is such a gift to be able to inspire and build the confidence of teenagers, and you have the opportunity to communicate with them on more than just a basic level. I can't wait to be a part of the next Campus! – Rachel Barker, USA, 2009

Refreshingly many of the students in the high school campus are old enough to realize the value of learning English, and I have found many  willing students. The games and exercises foster open and encouraging discussions of issues the students care about such as relationships, emotions, and current events. I have found that as a tutor I need to spend more time preparing for the high school students, but the students have rewarded the effort with loads of camaraderie, participation, and fun. – Benjamin Curtin, 2009

 

Orientations

ACLE's Orientation sessions are an ideal starting point to get acquainted not only with new colleagues, but to become reacquainted with your inner child, eager to participate, laugh and be creative.  During the week, experienced tutors and directors provide  effective methods, games and activities to engage and excite children with the daunting challenge of a new language. – Nathan Banks, 2009

An ACLE orientation brings together a diverse group of like-minded people whose different cultural backgrounds, talents and personalities create a veritable melting pot of energy and ideas. The orientation is demanding and also a great deal of fun. ACLE staff with many years of combined teaching experience ensure that the next generation of ACLE tutors are well equipped to have a positive impact on the lives of many Italian children. – Jules Reid, UK, 2009

Okay, it's a little intimidating for the first five or ten minutes. Then the singing, dancing and games begin. Get silly, let go of those nasty little inhibitions and join the party. You won't be sorry. – Mark Berge, 2009

ACLE's one-week orientation offers a great program that sets you up with all the skills, games and songs you'll need to know before you start teaching. Past tutors and ACLE staff talk you through everything so you'll be feeling confident before you start camp. You'll also have a fanstastic week exploring San Remo, eating some great Italian food and meeting English speakers from across the globe. – Lauren Barker, 2009

Orientation was such a great experience for me. I thought it was great how everything was taken care of including accommodation and meals. I think this week is absolutely necessary because it taught us everything we needed to know in order to prepare us for our upcoming weeks of working. I really enjoyed getting to meet other people through group exercises and nighttime dinners.
– Madeline Wang, USA 2009

 

Summer Camps

I still can't believe I was paid to play games and sing songs with Italian kid each day.  The interactions I had I will remember.  Each day was a challenge to stand with the class and make up a game to practice the colors or the present continuous but it was incredibly rewarding when you notice a student using that vocabulary or that tense that you taught them. – Daniel Klein, 2009

Summer camp is hard work but definitely a rewarding experience! I worked at a summer camp for five weeks and had a brilliant time organising night-time activities such as bonfires and pyjama parties, as well as afternoon sports like horse-riding and archery. Tutors stay in the same hotel as the students, so even though you work longer hours, you have a much better opportunity to get to know your students. – Lauren Barker, 2009

I worked at Folgaria summer camp for 5 weeks and it was such an amazing experience. My favorite thing about summer camp was that we were able to spend time with the kids not only in the classroom, but during afternoon sports and nighttime activities as well. I felt that we created a much stronger bond with the kids because we were with each other 24/7. However, after saying that, that is also one of the toughest things about summer camps. – Madeline Wang, USA, 2009