Learning a foreign language can be really difficult without practice, so regularly speaking with native speakers is essential. As an A-Level Italian student, I've been really lucky to be able to practise my conversation skills weekly with Claudia Marin - a modern languages speaking assistant from northern Italy. I asked her a few questions about her experience as a speaking assistant, and the differences between being in England compared to Italy. Here's what she had to say:

 

What do you do as a language assistant and what is it like?

 

I mainly hold speaking sessions with year 12-13 students, focusing on the A-Level exam (so also IRP) for year 13. I also teach year 13 in another school (mainly fascism) and support the Italian teachers with some year 9-11 classes. It is very different from the Italian approach, and at the beginning I struggled a bit, but I am always learning new things and is positively challenging.

 

Why did you decide to become a speaking assistant?

 

To be honest with you, it wasn't my first choice as a career - sometimes things don't go as you would like to. I applied for a PhD at Bristol and UCL, but didn't get the funding. I've always volunteered and taught Italian to immigrants in Italy, so I applied to become an assistant through the British Council and got a place. It turns out that I love teaching, more than I thought, and I would like to become a qualified teacher.

 

What are the benefits of your job and would you recommend it?

 

If you like language learning, and use your knowledge as a native speaker, then absolutely yes, I recommend it. But bear in mind that you need also some learning methodology, grammar and, above all, a right attitude! The benefits are that you don't need a teaching qualification to be an assistant (every country has different criteria - in Italy, for example, you need to have at least a degree), and could be the first step into your teaching career. In addition, it could be a perfect one-year experience abroad (and decide to stay, as I did).

 

What are some of the differences between the UK and Italy that stand out to you?

 

In terms of the school system, the fact that in the UK you can choose your subjects with quite a lot of freedom - and usually they are less. In Italy, your 'A-Levels' have at least 8 subjects. Generally speaking, I love the fact that British people are open-minded, extremely interested in your background and very polite. But I miss the Italian sunshine and the warmness of people.

 

Have there been any particular moments from being in the UK and doing this job that were interesting or amusing?

 

Every time I teach year 9 students, I realise how difficult it is to learn a foreign language that has conjugations and gender. Sometimes I take it for granted, but it must be very challenging. I also learn new things: for example, in the topic of 'patrimonio culturale' students explore the culture of the whole country, so sometimes I read (and then teach) new things for me. Things that I found weird when I moved to the UK: buying painkillers in a supermarket, students not having their own books at school (we have to buy them), having giant bottles of milk at the supermarket (in Italy we have just 1 litre bottles), the obsession with greeting cards, the school uniform, not having a butcher or a deli counter in every supermarket, so much plastic everywhere in food products, people not dressing accordingly to the weather, and finally, answering 'how are you' when someone asks you 'how are you?'.

 

    Interviewing Claudia was a really interesting way of learning about the culture shocks between the two countries, as well as opening my mind to the possibilities of studying languages beyond school. Hopefully her answers show the opportunities that learning languages and applying them can bring, and will maybe motivate you to start or continue learning a new language too!