About our Admin

 

I feel privileged to share in the plethora of activities that characterise the role  and duties of the Docente di conversazione in lingua Straniera.  These will provide the foundation for this site and our Newsletter.

My own work on the site  and philosophy owes a great deal to Anthony C Porcaro (founder of our Facebook page) and Samantha Pascale (site editor)  as well as  all the members of our Facebook group  who have inspired and encouraged to do something more permanent and visual and, obviously, in contact with the reality of the Italian territory in which we all live and work. The situation in Italian schools today in language teaching, in particular, and the importance of language, not only as a form of communication, but in shaping our thoughts reinforce my belief in the relevance of expertise in a language which  cannot be provided by simple  study and qualification alone but needs insights coming from those with experience of the native culture.

My language and linguistic background influenced by studies and research through a Master Degree in Applied Linguistics have contributed to making me feel that one of the most enriching experiences for language learners is to have the opportunity to engage in an authentic dialogue with a native speaker as it allows them to have a first-hand encounter with the verbal and non-verbal features of the language and to come in contact with people who view the world differently. It is this interchange of ideas which will lead to people understanding one another and in advancing at all levels of sociocultural growth.   My part on this site will be in the  organization, collection, supervision and editing of materials and registering new, interesting links as well as updating the news as there are changes in the teaching world.  Together with my colleagues: Samantha Pascale (AM English), Francoise Altamura (French), Rosa Cantoro (German) and Maria Jose Buertas Bielsa(Spanish) we intend to make this site a learning experience for those interested in language and culture and a continuous workshop for those interested  in the language teaching situation both as non-native and native speakers.

Tina Onnis - Amministratore Del Sito e del Gruppo Nazionale

BA Hons Humanities, H Dip European Studies, MA in Education, Applied Linguistics

Liceo Classico E Piga, Villacidro (CA)

 

The Founder of our Group

Prof. Anthony C Porcaro is an English conversation teacher in the Liceo Orazio Flacco in Portici, Naples.  He is an American English native speaker and teacher of English as a Foreign Language.  After much experience in Italian secondary schools working in team teaching situations and as an expert teacher in many PON projects and an organizer of Exchanges for his students, he felt the need to support  foreign teachers in Italy and help them grasp   the many changes taking place in school laws and reforms.  He is also co-author and editor of our Newletter.

 

Our Co-Editor

Prof. Samantha Pascale has also been an English conversation teacher for many years in the area of Pordenone. She is an American English native speaker and teacher of English as a Foreign Language, as well as having much experience in the business and online editing world. 

 

Editor of the French Section 

Prof Francoise Altamura

 

 

Editor of the German Section

Prof Rosa Cantoro

Rosa Cantoro è nata in Germania nel 1967 e cresciuta a Esslingen a.N., a 15 km da Stoccarda. Dopo la maturità ha ottenuto la qualifica di "Industriekauffrau (perito aziendale)" presso la Camera di Commercio di Stoccarda e ha lavorato ca. 1 anno nel reparto "Controlling" di una rinnomata ditta della città. Si è trasferita in Italia nel 1989 dove si è laureata in Economia e Commercio. Dal 1996 è iscritta come traduttrice nel Ruolo dei Traduttori presso la C.C.I.A.A. di Pescara e lavora sin da allora come traduttrice e docente freelance. Dal 2003 ricopre la carica di "Docente di conversazione in tedesco" presso le scuole pubbliche nella provnicia di Pescara.

 

Editor of the Spanish Section

Prof Mjose Buertas Bielsa

Editor of the Russian Section

Prof Tatiana Belousova

 

DISCLAIMERWhile our best efforts have been used to check the quality of its contents, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability or responsibility arising from or connected to the accuracy, currency, completeness or relevance of the material on this site. 

 

The views herein do not necessarily represent the views of all the members in our group or admin.