Hi,

I was wondering if other members that live in NJ would be interested on a weekly basis to practice our italian. I have been taking Italian classes on and off for years, more cently I've stayed with group lessons for close to 3 years. I feel that I need more conversation practice.

Is anybody interested? Thanks,

María

Hi Maria A,

Funny you should ask...I already organized a small but fun weekly Italian conversation night with two other guys I met at a so-called Italian Conversation night in Haddonfield, NJ. After the first night, which turned out that most people were just picking up the basics, we decided to meet on our own to actually converse. Apart from vacations and such we've been meeting every Tuesday since March and talk about everything and anything for an hour and a half or so.

I have no idea where you live but you're more than welcome to join us.

Cara

Ciao Cara

Thanks for your reply. In what area of NJ do you meet? I'm not familiar with Glassboro.

I live in Gladstone, which is in Somerset county.

In what county are you?

Thanks,

María

Well Glassboro is basically right outside of Philadelphia. I saw on google earth that you are near Newark so the chances of seeing you are pretty slim! We actually meet in Haddonfield which is in Camden County, I believe.

Well let us know if you are ever in the area.

Ciao,
Cara

Oh, that's too bad, but thanks !

Maria - I live in Hillsborough, NJ and would love to meet to converse but I am only an advanced beginner who is self-taught.

There are some women in my exercise class who are advanced and we keep talking about getting together to converse/practice.

Let me know if you'd be interested in coming down our way (near Somerville).

Janet

Hi Janet,

Definitively, I would be interested. Could we meet in Somerville? Do you go to Wegman's? Maybe there or somewhere close. I go to that area all the time. I have another friend that also takes italian with me and we meet sometimes for coffee and to speak in Italian ( well( at least we think we're speaking in Italian ) . Send me an e-mail if you like katarob@hotmail.com

María

I might be interested if the meetings were a little further south (like around Princeton maybe)? I work in Trenton, and by the time I go home to take care of my dog, it would be a bit too far to go all the way to Somerville after work.

If you do not work, I know of a conversation group in Princeton on Mondays during the day tiome. I know some of the people. They have been meeting for years. It's not for me though--can't play hooky to meet a lnaguage group during the day.

Hi,

I'm sorry but I think that it wouldn't work for me, specially at night time.

quote:

Originally posted by Cara:
Well Glassboro is basically right outside of Philadelphia. I saw on google earth that you are near Newark so the chances of seeing you are pretty slim! We actually meet in Haddonfield which is in Camden County, I believe.
Well let us know if you are ever in the area.

Ciao,
Cara

Cara:
I am from Palmyra. Where do you meet in Haddonfield? When?
Ciao

Maria & Janet,

If you do get together I'd be interested in joining you. Although I live on the northern edge of the state I'm just off route 287 so it would be a straight shot down the highway for me.

Hi Ellen,

That would be great! Maybe sometimes we could meet a little further north of 287 than Somerville. Would Bernardsville or Basking Ridge be closer for you?

Every Tuesday at the 3 Beans Cafe (we've renamed it "I Tre Chicchi" now we all arrive usually a quarter to 8 and leave around 9:15.

This Tuesday might not be good, I have an appointment in Philly and I'm worried about the weather, too.

se ti ancora interessa, fammi sapere cosi ti possa avvertire del caso che non incontriamo. va bene?

cara

Hi, I'm in Montclair (actually, the northern end of Upper Montclair, so practically Clifton) and could also get to somewhere near 287, if it were north of Somerville. But if you would rather meet further south, I will understand.

Hi Marian,

I don't mind going sometimes north and others south on 287. Do you have any suggestions? Would Morristown work?

quote:

Would Morristown work?

Perfetto! Ellen, anche per te?

M

Si!

Bene!!

Would you ladies like to meet before the holidays or maybe it is too hectic now?

María

I imagine Ellen is busy, so maybe after New Year's. I could do Tuesday or Wednesday.

M

Darn, Maria, just a bit too late. I used to live really close to you. We just moved from Far Hills up to Andover (the north and west of the city the weathermen are always talking about). I teach near 287 (up north), and I'm probably at the intermediate level.

One other suggestion you may want to consider. I've made several Italian friends through language exchange sites on the internet. We converse through Skype. There's nothing better than to be able to talk in Italian to an Italian.

On our trip to Italy last summer, we visited two of them, and my friend from Rome met us in NY for dinner when he was here on a business trip last month. I absolutely love it.

Em

Marian,

Then let's talk again in January and see if we can set something up.

Em,

Oh, that's too bad! I was just yesterday in Romo books in Far Hills participating in a language group.

I'm not familiar with Skype. Would you mind telling me what is it and what exchange sites you go in the internet?

Thanks!

María

Ciao Maria,

Sorry I missed you at Romo. I never even knew they had language groups.

To answer your question, the two language exchange sites I've found to be particularly good are: http://www.mylanguageexchange.com and http://www.polyglot-learn-language.com

I've found language exchange partners at both sites. Two are retired liceo Italian/philosophy teachers, one works for an American company in Rome (that's why he was in NY), and one is a secretary in Liguria. I chat with them through Skype (except for my Ligurian friend who has given up on English. Instead we exchange e-mails in Italian.) It's a great way to make new friends and to share both language and culture.

Skype is a great resource, telephony software that can be downloaded (free) from the internet. Once you sign up, you can speak to anyone, anywhere in the world, who also is registered. You need only connect a microphone (I prefer a headset) to your computer, and as long as your contact is online when you are, either you or he can initiate a conversation.

It works very well, and it costs nothing to use. Occasionally, there are some connection "glitches," but for the most part, it's like talking on the telephone. For the more adventurous, video chats are also possible. Maybe one day. . .

Hope this helps.

Em

Thanks Em,

Sounds like something that even a technologically challenged person like me can do!

Dear Maria !
would you like to creat a group Talking Italian
using Skype ?
if you like the Idea
call me on Skype my name : Italy-Vacation
Italin Speakers are invited also
Arrivederci

Aizenman .
info@israsrv.net.il

quote:

Originally posted by Maria A:
Hi,

I was wondering if other members that live in NJ would be interested on a weekly basis to practice our italian. I have been taking Italian classes on and off for years, more cently I've stayed with group lessons for close to 3 years. I feel that I need more conversation practice.

Is anybody interested? Thanks,

María

Thanks,

I haven't had the chance to look into Skype. Sounds interesting.

Maybe after the holidays.

Marian and Ellen,

I'm following up on our plans to try to get together maybe in Morristown for italian conversation.

Marian, you mentioned that Tuesday or Wed would work for you. Tuesday, preferably morning would work for me. I have another friend that would meet us as well.

Let me know if you're still interested.

Grazie!

Hi Maria

Yes, I am still interested. However, Tuesday am is not good for me. I could do Tuesday afternoon, or evening, or Wednesday. I'm sure Ellen will chime in soon; she has just returned from Florence.

M

Marian,

On Wednesdays what times would be good for you ?