ANNUAL COOKIE FEST

Come eat cookies and be merry!  
Our ANNUAL COOKIE FEST will be held this Friday, December 3rd from 5-7 p.m. in Via Roma 15, Trieste.
So please join us and invite your students for ornament making, tree decorating, Christmas caroling, cookie eating and Santa picture taking!
Yes, that's right, Santa Claus will be stopping by. So tell your students to bring their wish list and be ready to smile for the camera.
Open to the public.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, a great American holiday, is this Thursday, November 25th.  On this day Americans give thanks, eat turkey, and watch a lot of American football on TV.
But Thanksgiving can be traced back to when the Pilgrims invited the Native Americans to a feast to celebrate and give thanks for a plentiful harvest and their new friendship.  Find out more about it's origins here, and share it with your students.
Come celebrate Thanksgiving with us!

Thanksgiving Dinner: Thursday,November 25, 2010, 8:00 p.m.

At: La Bottega del Vino, Courtyard of San Giusto Castle
Cost: Euro 45 for Adults and Euro 15 for children (<=12 years old)

Reservations: Pass by the association, make reservations, pay, get your receipt.

Christmas Songs

Christmas vacation is about six weeks away, and now  is the time to start teaching your students a holiday song or poem.  We all know that singing and poetry reciting are great ways to learn a language, so don't miss out on this ideal opportunity  to incorporate it into your language program.

What should they sing? Here are some ideas I came up with:

Preschool / Elementary:  Pick a simple, repetitive song that your can put hand actions to.  I found these, which I think would work well for young children. Or try this site which has both music and lyrics to choose from.

Middle School / High School: The Night Before Christmas is a classic poem that could be memorized and recited by older students.  Fun alternative:  Make an audio book!  Have the older students record themselves reading the poem and burn it onto a CD.  Have them illustrate the poem or create a small book with the words from the poem.  This would make a great gift for a younger sibling or cousin!

The English song or poem would make a great addition to your school's seasonal recital!

Happy Singing!

The Silent Period

Today I came face to face with a small group of 4 year olds, who refused to speak English.  The expressions on their faces, those of whom actually made eye contact with me, ranged from complete bewilderment  to dread.  It was my first class with them, but in my experience in working with small kids, I am usually  able to get a few words out of them right away.  With encouragment and a smile, first timers will greet me with "Hello" or "Hi" and offer their names up willingly.  Not so with this group.  Each new trick I tried was met with silence.  "Tough crowd", I commented to the classroom teacher, who grinned back at me.

So on my car ride home I did what I always do, I went over the lesson in my mind, trying to figure out how I could have made it better.  I asked myself "What do I know about language learning and 4 year olds?"  It was then I remembered the "silent period" and the pre-production stage of second language learning.

According to language researcher Stephen Krashen, new learners of English go through a "silent period" in which they may understand what is going on around them, but do not feel comfortable speaking yet.  This stage of second language aquisition, referred to as pre-production, is normal and students in this stage should not be forced to speak before they are ready.  But just because they are silent, doesn't mean they aren't learning.

Here's the list I am made of ideas to remember for next class:

* Ask questions that allow for a yes or no nodding response
* Nonverbal cues such as pointing  and facial experessions are completely acceptable responses
* Encourage miming or charades, drawing, and other non verbal  ways of expressing ideas
* TPR(Total Physical Response) works well with learners in the pre-production stage
* Use lots of pictures and visuals in class

So now I'm ready.  Silent students?  Bring 'em on!

Next Big Party: Thanksgiving

November 25th. Mark your calendars. More detailed info to come.

Halloween Party, October 29th, 5-8 p.m

Come celebrate Halloween with us!  Invite your students to join us for a Halloween Party on Friday October 29th, from 5-8p.m at the Associazione Italo Americana,  Via Roma 15.

There will be something for everyone!

Kids- Halloween games, prizes, pumpkin carving,  best costume awards

Adults- The film Frankenstein Junior by Mel Brooks starring Gene Wilder

A 5 Euro contribution is requested.  

Please call the office to make a reservation: 040 63 03 01

Do your students need practice SPEAKING?

Classes at the Association start this week.

Middle School: Wednesdays 5-6:30
High School: Wednesdays 6:30-8:00
Elementary School: Tuesdays 5:00-6:00, 6:00-7:00

Do YOU need some practice?
Try: Advanced Conversation class on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00
or Intermediate Conversation class on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00

TESOL-Italy's 35th National Convention

Here is a great opportunity to learn what's new in the field of English language teaching and exchange ideas with like-minded professionals.

TESOL-Italy is holding their "Language Flows," 35th National Convention  at the SGM Conference Center in  Rome, Italy on November 19-20, 2010  

For more information,  E-mail tesolitaly@gmail.com. Or go to their web site http://www.tesol.it.

High School Culture Lessons

What are you working on?  How can we help?

These are the two most important questions we ask teachers when they contact us.  We are commited to supporting teachers and all they do in the classroom.  Our culture lessons can be custom fit to what your students are studying. Whether it’s Shakespeare, Whitman, or Dickens, we’ll come up with a engaging lesson just for you.

So stop by, call or email us, or comment on our blog, and let the collaboration begin!

Student Film Series Information

In-School Student Film Series

La Principessa e il Ranocchio- Rated G

Titolo originale:	The Princess and the Frog
Nazione:	U.S.A.
Anno:	2009
Genere:	Animazione
Durata:	97'
Regia:	Ron Clements, John Musker
Sito ufficiale:	http://www.disney.go.com/.
Sito italiano:	www.disney.it/la-principessa-e-il-ranocchio
Cast (voci):	John Goodman, Keith David, Terrence Howard, Oprah Winfrey, Anika Noni Rose, Angela Bassett, Jim Cummings, Bruno Campos, Jenifer Lewis, Jennifer Cody
Produzione:	Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
Distribuzione:	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Italia
Data di uscita:	18 Dicembre 2009 (cinema) Nomination Oscar 2010

Plot:
Set in the beautiful American city of New Orleans between the mystical swamps of Louisiana, the film is a modern version of a classic tale where the protagonist is a beautiful African American girl named Tiana, a frog who desperately wants to return a human and a kiss destiny that leads them both to live an incredible adventure ...

Toy Story 3 - La grande fuga – Rated G

Titolo originale:	Toy Story 3
Nazione:	U.S.A.
Anno:	2010
Genere:	Animazione
Durata:	109'
Regia:	Lee Unkrich
Sito ufficiale:	http://www.blogger.com/goog_1937938454
Sito italiano:	http://www.blogger.com/goog_1937938454
Social network:	facebook
Cast (voci):	Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Cusack, Michael Keaton, John Ratzenberger, Bonnie Hunt, Tim Allen, Timothy Dalton, R. Lee Ermey, Wallace Shawn
Produzione:	Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
Distribuzione:	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Italia
Data di uscita:	07 Luglio 2010 (cinema)

Plot:
Woody and Buzz have now accepted the fact that their young master Andy one day will grow, but what happens when that time comes? As Andy prepares to leave for college, his loyal friends are given away to a kindergarten, where children play untamed, with little sticky fingers, and is not very pleasant for the toys. Driven by the motto "all for one-one for all”, together they plan their great escape. Adventure will be joined by many new characters, some plastic, other bears, including the bachelor friend of Barbie, Ken, porcupine lederhosen shorts with the characteristic name of Prickles and Big Lots Hugs, a pink teddy bear that smells of strawberries. Against the background of this fun romantic pandemonium we will witness the first face-off between Barbie and Ken ...

Shrek 2- Rated G

Titolo originale:	Shrek 2
Nazione:	U.S.A.
Anno:	2004
Genere:	Animazione, Avventura, Commedia
Durata:	105'
Regia:	Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury, Conrad Vernon
Sito ufficiale:	http://www.shrek2.com/
Sito italiano:	http://www.shrek2.it/
Cast (voci):	Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas,Rupert Everett
Produzione:	Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Lipman, Aron Warner, John H. Williams
Distribuzione:	Uip
Data di uscita:	Cannes 2004 17 Dicembre 2004 (cinema)

Plot:
Return from their honeymoon, Shrek and Fiona get an invitation to visit her parents, the king and queen of the land of Far,Far Away. Accompanied by the faithful donkey, the newlyweds embark on the journey, but soon discover that the visit is actually a plan of the king to cancel the wedding ...

The Blind Side – Rated- PG-13

Titolo originale:	The Blind Side
Nazione:	Stati Uniti
Anno:	2009
Genere:	Drammatico, Sportivo
Durata:	128'
Regia:	John Lee Hancock
Sito ufficiale:
Cast:	Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Kathy Bates, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Catherine Dyer
Produzione:	Alcon Entertainment, Zucker/Netter Productions
Distribuzione:
Data di uscita:	2010 (cinema) Nomination Oscar 2010

Plot:
Surprised to wander in the middle of a road at night, Michael Oher, a young homeless whose father was killed and mother is a drug addict, is received at the home of Touhy, a wealthy family who decides to take care of him. They decide to ask for custody, to give him the opportunity to study and use his height to become a football star.

La ricerca della felicità –Rated - PG-13

Titolo originale:	The Pursuit of Happiness
Nazione:	Stati Uniti
Anno:	2006
Genere:	Drammatico
Durata:	117'
Regia:	Gabriele Muccino
Sito ufficiale:	www.sonypictures.com/movies/...
Sito ufficiale:	www.medusa.it/laricercadellafelicita
Cast:	Will Smith, Thandie Newton, Jaden Smith, Chandler Bolt, Domenic Bove, Ian Baptiste, Aida Bernardino, Mia Bernardino, Richard Bischoff
Produzione:	Overbrook Entertainment, Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Data di uscita:	12 Gennaio 2007 (cinema)

Plot:
Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet. Despite these commendable and courageous attempts to keep afloat marriage and family life, the mother (Thandie Newton) of the little Christopher, who is only five years (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) is no longer able to withstand the pressures of so many hardships and , unable to handle the situation, decides to leave. Chris, became a single father, continues doggedly to seek a better paying job using his considerable skills as a seller. Finally manages to get a job as a trainee at a prestigious consulting company stock, and although it is an unpaid position, it will accept in the hope that the end of the practicum will have a job and a promising future. Private salary, Chris and his son are evicted from the apartment and forced to sleep in the shelters for the homeless, bus stations, in public toilets or wherever they find a refuge for the night. Despite his troubles, Chris continues to be a loving father and present, using the love and trust that the child feels for him as an impetus to overcome all obstacles in its path.

High School Musical 1, 2, or 3

The World’s Best Prom- Documentary

Nazione: USA

Anno: 2006

Genere: documentary

Regia: Chris Talbott and Ari Vena

Plot: Documentary about The Racine High school Prom. Discusses this all important event in the lives of American teens. It was filmed in Karoline’s home town of Racine, Wisconsin!

In-School Film Series

Here is the list of movies that we are offering through our In-School Student Film Series.  If you don't see what your looking for on the list, just ask us.  We may have the film at the Association.

The Princess and the Frog
Toy Story 3
Shrek 2
The Blind Side
The Pursuit of Happyness
High School Musical 1,2 &3
The World's Best Prom

For more information on each film, check here.

2010/11 In-School Film Series and Culture Program is here!

 Welcome back! The Italo-American Association of Trieste will continue  the in-school student film series and cultural education program this year, in collaboration with elementary schools, middle and high schools.  As before, our program includes  a "lesson plan" of the film to support  classroom activities, the free loan of the DVDs (see enclosed catalog) and a lesson with a mother tongue classroom teacher, for a discussion activity after the movie.

The Association offers two packages:

€uro 6	€uro 9
à  2 films +   post-film lessons with a native English speaking teacher.	à 2 films + post -film lessons with a native English speaking teacher.
	à a lecture on American Culture, with a native English speaker.

Topics in American Culture are: Culture and traditional festivals in the USA, A Day in the Life of an American Teenager,  American Cooking, American Sports, or any other topic of interest of the teachers / students.

In addition,  we offer a discount on an AIA membership card (€ 25) to teachers, which includes entrance to 2 film series (9 films in original language at the Ariston and 11 American TV series at the Cappella Underground). It  is important to us that we continue to demonstrate our support for teachers. Thank you for your continued support of the Association.

Finally, I ask you to kindly forward this letter to the English coordinator to:

a)     ensure that all teachers have received the selection of movies in your school

b)     set dates for the movie and the lessons with the teacher of the Association

Please send an e-mail to janinesprague@hotmail.com, or call Janine  at 3297883810 for reservations.

Reservations are upon request.  Once interest has been shown by one teacher, assistance will be given to coordinate dates and times with other English teachers interested in the same film at the same school.

Thank you in advance for your interest and availability for your kind and I hope to soon collaborate with your institution.

School Programs Coordinator

Associazione Italo-Americana
Janine Sprague Zolle

PS:  Be sure to check out our new blogs: www.aia-fvg.blogspot.com  for all the latest at the Associazione Italo-Americana and www.aiateachers.blogspot.com  especially for teachers! 

Welcome Teachers!!

Thanks for visiting our new Teachers' blog! We have so many exciting and fun things planned for you this year. We can't wait to get started! Check back for updates about:

1) The in-school Children's film series
2) Culture lessons at your school with our native speakers
3) The inauguration of our new Children's library
4) Story-time with the American Ambassador's wife


Don't forget, Teachers, you get a discounted rate on AIA membership, which includes entrance to both film series (in English, of course!) and all of our fun events.

Subscribe to this blog and you will get the updates automatically.
See you soon!