ANNIE: My long weekend in Italy was booked. Straight after university I spent three months in Siena, Tuscany, learning Italian. I had a blast. Alas, my quickly learned Italian was quickly forgotten. Thereafter, my yearly visits to Italy have been frustrating, assuming I can communicate only to become tongue tied. So, this year, I took action and booked up 12 hours of one-to-one Italian lessons.

Because it was just me and my teacher Davide, the lessons could be tailor-made. I am glad to say that the old grey cells got into action and I soon consolidated what I had known. Role play kept the lessons interesting and made me eager to mug up on my vocab in between. Each session was two hours, after which my head literally hurt.

Davide was a hoot: we shared very strong coffee and he imparted his knowledge of all things Italian (which drinks to order, middle class Italians’ views on their Prime Minister and colloquial swear words). The most important thing, he stressed, is to get the message across. Sounds simple but it really made me relax when I put my hard work into action.

So I went off to Italy (Florence and then Cervinia skiing) with a dictionary in my pocket and newfound confidence. I came across a few people who, when I spoke Italian, answered in English, but I persevered and they soon got the message. ‘...Are you learning Italian?’ they asked, incredulously. I spent the weekend ordering a strange aperitif, berating Berlusconi and his lackeys and swearing like a true Italian.

I thoroughly recommend Vivere l’Italiano (courses held in Mayfair, Marylebone and Knightsbridge) as well as clients’ homes. I rather fancy their Italian through Cookery course next. www.viverelitaliano.com

EMILY: The Institut Francais in South Kensington is the cultural and linguistic centre for France in London. They run a series of language courses for beginners onwards. Once you have reached a level of proficiency, you can attend further courses focusing on the particular aspects of French that interest you: cinema, current affairs, literature, business etc.

Before joining any classes you have to be assessed. As I sit in the waiting room with my questionnaire, there is a constant hum of French. It is catching. There are no
exasperated responses in English, of the sort you tend to get if you try and speak French
when in France. The chat of the staff, students popping in and out, adds to the sense that you are buying into a whole cultural experience.

My assessment falls into three parts: a written grammar test, 100 words essay and an oral interview. In some bits I am totally lost; in others, a more complex grammatical construction suddenly floats into my brain. Overwhelmingly, I have a sense that it is in there somewhere.

I am keen to join a group class, for two hours a week, while the kids are at school. There are heaps to choose from. However, the courses that don’t interfere with school holidays start at the beginning of January and September and I cannot join part-way through. I am so enthused, however, I am going to sign up for an intensive course after half term. As well as the lessons, you get a year’s membership to the Institut, with access to the library, cultural events and facilities.
Institut Francais, 14 Cromwell Place, SW7
0207 581 2701.

A 30-hour course spread over 15 weeks costs £271