I had a funny experience just now, the great Webhead, blogger and general all round innovator Carla Arena contacted me to say that she’s used an old recording of me talking about Trento, Italy (where I live) in an online listening course of hers. Apparently one of her students is a big snowboarding fan and wanted to know a bit more about Trento.
Well, apart from being really flattered that Carla would choose to include me in one of her courses, I thought that it would be fun to reply to Lucien (Carla’s student) and her message.
Here’s what Lucien wrote:
I listened about Trento-Italy. I choose this listening because of the photo I saw “snow”, I just love it. Would you like to listen about it too? Access the link Bella italia-Trento in “delicious” link. Ok,I told you Carla that I lived in the USA, in a city called Lowell located in Northeast of the USA near Boston. And the winter time there is “freezing” with a lot of snow, like Trento I think. The guy of the listening said he loves snow and snowboarding with friends. And it made me reminder the time I was in the USA, I used to skiing and snowboarding in the winter with friends and my cousins too,it was terrific! But I’d like to know more about Trento. For example, someone knows if the summer time in Trento is as hot as the winter is cold or something about the culture, how big is the city?
Let me know ok! Bye Carla!
Well, I think that such interest in my little city deserves an answer, don’t you? Click on the link below to listen to my reply to Lucien.
Dear Seth,
First, thanks for the nice words about me! I laughed when you mentioned so many flattering things about me, for I feel just like an ordinary curious educator. In fact, you’re the one with lots of great ideas! I’m still waiting for a detailed post on the 6 billion people video activity! If you take a look at our blogging4educators pageflakes, you’ll see you’re also there with your inspiring ideas!
Now, let me tell you that THANK you would never be enough for your generosity with Luciene and my class. They’ll be thrilled to get a reply back from “the guy from Trento”. I’ll get there one day! In fact, have I told you that my father is Sicilian and I’ve lived for some time in Mestre (Venice)?! Italy is certainly in my plans!
A HUGE THANK you from grateful and happy Carla!
Dear Carla,
It’s a pleasure to help out and I hope your students have fun listening. It’s really nice to think that people way over there on the other side of the world are thinking of my adopted home with such pleasure. I’d be careful though, I might hold you to that offer of a visit, I know some great pizzerias near here!
As for the 6 Billion Others lesson plan I’m working on it now and will post it here on the blog as soon as I’ve finished it. I’ve got some pre made handouts for students too which I’ll also include. I’ve just got to figure where to put them so they can be downloaded
Take care, all the best and I look forward to hearing how your students react.
Seth.
Pizza, Seth! I love pizza and all kinds of Italian food as a good daughter of a bon vivant Italian!
I’ll anxiously waiting for your 6 billion lesson plan!
I’m just writing an email to my students now to let them know about your recording. I’ll certainly give you feedback on how it went.
Baci.