Cactus Opinion: Dreaming of Italian in Rome

Cactus is one of the world's leading language training companies, providing courses in over 25 languages, in 45 countries and 150 destinations worldwide. It specialises in all forms of trainer-based language training for enterprises and individuals, from evening courses and language learning holidays, to tailor-made packages and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Cactus also uses blended learning approaches, included self-study and online & distance learning under the banner "learn a language your way". Read more about Cactus

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Posted by Sarah under Cactus Languages Abroad, Italian, Learning a language

Alex Wolfson, Cactus Language Holiday Advisor, tells us why he’d like to visit Rome…

Bryan Adams was at Number 1 with his song from Robin Hood and the Soviet Union had just collapsed when I visited Italy for the only time in my life so far, and I cannot help but feel that I visited Rome too young! As a punk kid of 14 I was more interested in watching the Vespas, and the gorgeous stylish olive-skinned beauties in denim shorts riding them, than the Colosseum, ancient buildings and rich history of a city for long considered the centre of the Western World.

My visit there was part of a school trip to Italy taking in Rome, Sorrento and Naples, and I’m sure if I were to return now I would make far more of my time there. For a start I’d probably want to take an Italian course! If I could learn Italian there I’d actually be able to exchange a word with the Vespa girls!

I’d also love to really appreciate the experience of walking round a living museum. From what I have heard about Rome, to walk through it is an incredible experience in which you will find ancient Roman remains on street corners and modern Gucci shops situated inside genuine classical buildings. I guess it’s no surprise that this appeals to me more now than in the teenage years. Back then my appreciation of Italian cuisine was limited to chocolate ice cream, but my mouth waters now at the thought of sitting down in some cosy family-run trattoria on a back street of the Eternal City with a delicious pasta dish and a five year old Chianti. And who knows, if I could learn enough of the language on an Italian course, maybe it could even be shared with a sexy scooter-riding signorina…