Course helps Airmen break down barriers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Briana Jones
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Buongiorno, ciao and grazie are just a few of the many Italian phrases Americans learn while stationed here, but for service members looking to learn a little more, the Airman and Family Readiness Center offers a class to help improve their Italian.

In "Basic Italian: A Survival Language and Cultural class," attendees can learn simple phrases along with the many customs and courtesies students may encounter during day-to-day life in Italy.

The two hour class, offered every second Thursday of the month, helps participants learn basic conversational Italian, typical greetings, travel and shopping tips to integrate Airmen and family members in the Italian culture.

The first thing students learn in the class is the Italian alphabet, followed by numbers, etiquette, days of the week, months, date, time differences and much more.

"I'm proud of anyone who takes this class as a first step to learn Italian because it means they want to immerse themselves in the Italian culture," said Christina Polese, 31st Force Support Squadron cultural liaison. "Language without a doubt is a barrier between Americans and Italians; the best way to remedy this problem is to learn the language."

Since this class has started, more than 150 Team Aviano members have participated including service members, families and children.

"I think the class helped my kids get a little more comfortable with their new surroundings," said Tech. Sgt. Christina Guerts who has been at Aviano for two months. "The class is really just that, basic Italian, and my kids were able to learn and understand what was being taught. They were given a great advantage."

Half of the class focuses on learning the fundamentals of the language. The second half focuses on proper etiquette and cultural differences such as: do not wrap gifts in black as it is traditionally a mourning color, stores are closed on Sundays and Mondays grocery stores are closed Sundays, Monday and Wednesday afternoons, do not give yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy and do not keep your hands on your lap during a meal while avoiding resting elbows on the table.

According to Cynthia Lane who has been at Aviano for a month now, the class was very informative and said the biggest difference she saw was hours of operations for off-base stores; something that she says she will definitely have to adjust to.

"Learning another language is always a good idea, you never know when you have to fall back on that," said Lane. "I would recommend that once you get here you take this class, and try to involve yourself within the Italian community."

Team Aviano members are not limited to the "Basic Italian: A Survival Language and Cultural class," the Aviano Community Center also offers classes and off base classes are also offered.

"I want everyone to realize that Italian culture is something you have to get used to and learning the language will help you understand and embrace it," said Guerts.

For more information about the "Basic Italian: A Survival Language and Cultural class" contact the AFRC at 632-5407 or the Community Center at 632-5479.