Ritratto di dama (1490–1495)
di Leonardo da Vinci

"Dear Teacher of Italian,

 

Through my teaching experience, I have realized that many students are not accustomed to think critically.

 

Last year, I decided to create a language course to help my students develop their questioning, probing, analysing, evaluating, and grow as human beings.

 

I wanted to find an answer to the following questions:

 

1. How can I extract and include the most important values of Italian culture, language, art, creativity and Humanism into a well designed and interesting language course?

 

2. How can I have students apply their creativity and insight during the course?

 

The Italian Critical Thinking Program was born. An intensive and life touching experience that develops through the analysis of some Renaissance masterworks, humanistic milestones, and other aspects of the Italian culture: how they are related to ourselves, how they can inspire us, how we can apply their brilliant insight to our daily life.

 

As a SPECIAL GIFT, I would like to give you access to Session 1 of the Italian Critical Thinking Program so that you can enjoy this session in school with your students and see the educational approach of the entire program.

 

Discussing the session, reviewing the paintings and doing the suggested activities will be very interesting and fun for the students and for the teacher. Buon lavoro!"

 

Maura Garau - CyberItalian Founder and Head Teacher

 

In the Italian Critical Thinking Program, students practice the Italian language and culture intensively. The program can be conducted in Italian, English, or both (for beginner students some concepts will require the use of the English language).

 

Testimonial: Maura Garau has a strong desire to enhance the quality of life of others, and that desire is the basis for her unique approach of teaching the Italian language and culture through her company, Cyberitalian. Her creativity, her strength of character, her world-class skills as a teacher, her passion for life, her dedication to her family, her life's pursuit of her own continuing education, her personal understanding of the essence of life and of human interaction, her genuine concern for others and her contagious sincerity are all qualities that make Maura so much more than a "Renaissance Woman". Charles T. Chiarello

 

Key facts - Course content - How it works - Registration and fees

 

 

 

Sessions:	8 Sessions, available 24/7, with paintings, educational materials and assignments to be reviewed and discussed with the teacher.
Includes:	Access to 12 self-administered CyberItalian lessons (beginner, intermediate or advanced, depending on the level of the student) with exercises, exams and personalized progress report.
Additional Educational Material and Tools:	Access to fun-learning activities, pronunciation guides, voice recording system.
Technical Requirements	Broad-band (DSL or Cable) Internet access - Recent browser (IE, Firefox, etc.) with Flash 6 or later.

 

Testimonial: I would strongly recommend Cyberitalian to anyone interested in learning more about the Italian language and, importantly, Italian culture. Cyberitalian takes a unified approach to both; realizing the importance of providing a cultural context for language studies. The self-paced nature of the online lessons is perfectly suited to someone who is trying to fit his or her language studies into a busy existing schedule. Maura Garau pursues the teaching of language as a calling, in the sense that one was "called" to one of the three traditional learned professions of medicine, law or theology. She is a consummate teaching professional who clearly takes great pride in her work, and has helped me begin to realize some of my Italian language goals. Michael F. Skolnick

 

 

	Session 1 - Meaning and use of portraits during the Renaissance. Selection of portraits by different artists. Your presentation. How to start the creative process.
	Session 2 - The Annunciation - works by different artists. Concept of individuality. The individual versus society. Our own limits and borders. Automatic reactions in front of unexpected news.
	Session 3 - How to observe a work of art. The work of Michelangelo. Nourishing ourselves versus eating.
	Session 4 - Italian brain drain. The work of Leonardo. Alignment between actions and values. Our deepest internal values and actions. Making the right choices.
	Session 5 - Raffaello. Balance in the work of art. Balance in our life.
	Session 6 - Tiziano and Botticelli. Sacred and profane love. Freedom to let emotions "circulate". Protection.
	Session 7 - Caravaggio. The rage and the ability to choose. Flexibilty.
	Session 8 - Meaning and use of self-portraits during the Renaissance. Your true self. Selection of self-portraits and works by different artists.

 

Testimonial: This is truly a very special and unique program. It's not like the rest of Italian courses the Internet offers. I have never found such a high quality course. Andrew

Testimonial: Teaching is an art form and Maura is a master of the art. If your passion is to explore the beauty of Italy's language and culture, you will be in the hands of a teacher who has a profound understanding of Italy's humanistic heritage. And for the diligent student, she can offer you the keys to open that treasure using the most beautiful language in the world. Gerald Vincent

 

The Italian Critical Thinking Program covers 20 weeks of intensive work (8 online sessions + 12 online self-administered lessons with exercises, exams and personalized progress report. One or two semesters, depending how the teacher/school wants to arrange the distribution of the work).

 

The School buys a number of programs based on the number of students who will participate.

 

Students are allowed to access the Critical Thinking Program at school, at home or at any other location.

 

To register your students in the Italian Critical Thinking Program please contact us to discuss the school needs and to review technical requirements.

• Chart of discounts for 8 Session Italian Critical Thinking Program + 12 Beginner or Intermediate or Advanced self-administered lessons - Educational Materials ONLY (school purchases the online access to the sessions and lessons to be tutored by the school teacher):

Number of Students	Price per Student in $ (USD) (Total Cost = Number of Users x Price per User)
1 - 9	125.00 + 39.00 = 164.00
10 - 100	105.00 + 35.00 = 140.00
over 100	80.00 + 30.00 = 110.00

 

PLEASE NOTE: Public schools may apply for further discounts.

 

 

Testimonial: Maura is a fantastic teacher! Prior to finding CyberItalian I had seen a few different tutors and also attended group lessons so I have experience of different styles and methods of teaching and have to say that for me the lessons with Maura are by far the best. I love the structure the Cyberitalian lessons give to the class - it keeps the lessons fresh and interesting. The lessons are really a pleasure. Also, unlike group classes where sometimes I would hide at the back and not get involved I always get a fantastic learning experience out of my lessons with Maura - there is nowhere to hide - in a good way! Lisa

Testimonial: My lessons with Maura have helped me become more confident when speaking Italian.  She is extremely good at making conversation, keeping the conversation at a pace that is appropriate for my level, correcting me without being critical, explaining grammar and encouraging me to continue practicing.  When I have tried lessons with other teachers, there were many awkward moments, but I never feel that way with her. While dining in a restaurant last week, I sat next to an Italian couple vacationing in Miami and I had a very pleasant conversation with them - I would have never had the confidence to do that before my lessons with Maura. Jennifer

 

 

If you wish to RECEIVE THE SPECIAL GIFT (free access to Session 1 of the Italian Critical Thinking Program - Meaning and use of portraits during the Renaissance...) please click here and let your friends and colleagues know about the Italian Critical Thinking Program!