Learning a second language offers an array of benefits far beyond linguistic proficiency. Language learning is known to enhance cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, multitasking, and critical thinking. Multilingual individuals often display a greater capacity for cultural understanding and easily foster good relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. And, in this globalised world, being able to speak additional languages can very often open doors to new and exciting career opportunities. When Giulia Portuese moved to Cambridge from Italy, she noted that there wasn’t a language school for bilingual children in the city. Later, having two sons, and wanting to preserve their maternal language, she decided to set up a school to teach bilingual children. Starting by offering only Italian, the school quickly evolved to provide Spanish and English lessons as well. Today, La Dante in Cambridge has evolved into a European Cultural Centre offering lessons to children and adults of all ages. The face-to-face school hosts an array of vibrant cultural events from cooking classes to film clubs as well as its more formal language courses and certifications. Giulia says, “La Dante provides life-changing education for global citizens. For over 13 years, our mission has been to give confidence and freedom to people of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds. We want to help build a wider understanding of languages and cultures, and open up a world of possibilities for our learners.” In 2020, when the world began to lock down, La Dante closed its doors for the first time. In response to the global pandemic, the school embraced digital transformation, leading the way by offering cutting-edge language learning online. Giulia tells us, “Teaching our students online doesn’t mean we lose the personal touch. Our team is made up of real people. We make sure we follow up every query personally and help our students plan their objectives for learning languages on an individual basis.” The school works with students on an international scale and attracts learners from as far away as China and Japan through its links with international universities. La Dante also has strong links with universities in Italy and Spain as well as its native Cambridge University and the University of East Anglia. Every teacher at La Dante is a native speaker holding relevant teaching qualifications. Giulia is always ready with help and advice for new recruits. She’s happy to pass on her expertise to the next generation of language teachers. She states, “Each member of our team speaks at least three languages and they understand the challenges of the learning process. We only hire the best committed and motivated teachers in the field. We are like a family. Every problem that’s shared gets resolved. The team provides support in all areas from technical support to online and material resources. The help and training we provide promotes enthusiasm for language learning, and we love that.” Looking to the future, La Dante in Cambridge plans to maintain the high quality of its tuition whilst keeping classes small and teachers motivated. Giulia shares, “We’ll continue helping children from bilingual families to stay in touch with their cultures and languages. We are also building a bridge between Italy, Spain, and the UK to help businesses improve their business deals with those countries and make fruitful connections.” To find out more about La Dante in Cambridge, visit the school’s website or tune in to the school’s radio station, Radio Dante. Contact: Giulia Portuese Company: La Dante in Cambridge Web Address: https://ladante-in-cambridge.org/ Since 2010, La Dante in Cambridge (La Dante) has been inspiring and guiding students to learn language skills which enrich their lives and careers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the school was forced to embrace technology and move into the digital world. A little over a year on and La Dante is back in business on all fronts. La Dante in Cambridge is our Best Online & In-Person Language Educator 2023 - Cambridgeshire. Linguistic Excellence in Cambridge (and Beyond!)
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