Made possible by the generosity of the Valmorbida and Marcocci families, Dante Melbourne provides two Italian teachers in Victoria the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of the Italian language by studying in none other than the Belpaese.
Hoppers Crossing Secondary College teacher Cyvonne Scarica was one half of this year’s lucky duo.
Over one month, Cyvonne studied courses at Dante Alighieri Society schools in both Milan and Florence, immersing herself in the language and culture of both cities.
“I went with the intention of becoming more proficient in my speaking skills,” she says.
“Being surrounded by the language all of the time helped a lot, not necessarily with my vocabulary, but more with my confidence and proficiency in speaking.”
The daughter of an Italian who migrated from the northern city of Parma to Australia as a young child, Cyvonne has always had a strong interest in her heritage and the customs and traditions which define her Italian roots.
Having dabbled in Italian throughout her high school years, Cyvonne’s passion for the language was sparked when she decided to grasp the opportunity to undertake a Diploma of Languages during her tertiary schooling.
Obviously a natural, Cyvonne managed to advance to a level which allowed her to teach Italian to other students eager to learn the language, including those studying at a VCE level.
Since returning from Italy, Cyvonne has noticed that her teaching skills have improved immensely and her confidence in the classroom has skyrocketed.
“If you feel comfortable and confident in the classroom space, it makes a big difference,” she says.
The talented teacher also picked up some powerful learning tools during her time abroad, which she has already begun implementing with her Year 12 students this year, including ditching bilingual dictionaries for Italian ones to create a sense of immersion in the language.
“Giving explanations of an Italian word in that language rather than in English cuts that reliance on your first language and takes you to another level of thinking in Italian,” she explains.
Not only has Cyvonne returned with greater confidence and a broader knowledge of the Italian language, she has also come home with some invaluable memories of a truly unique experience which she would recommend to other Italian teachers.
“I would never have been able to go without the scholarship, so I’m very grateful for the opportunity and I can’t thank the Dante Alighieri Society enough for that.”
