Italian For Travelers - Common Phrases and Expressions

Italian For Travelers - Common Phrases and Expressions Taking a trip to Italy and want to learn Italian? If you want to have an incredible experience (not like all of those typical tourists) with the language tour to Tuscany you booked or the relatives in southern Italy you’re visiting, learning to speak basic Italian is a must. Its not enough to fare la valigia (pack your suitcase) and watch Italian language movies before you arrive. Whether youre sightseeing in world-famous cities like Florence, Rome, and Venice, on a business trip in Milan, or reuniting with family, there are a multitude of ways to improve your Italian before traveling to Italy. Â   Italian Survival Phrases Your first objective should be to learn Italian survival phrases. Greetings and farewells will earn you goodwill, and ones related to train travel and your hotel will help you solve problems quickly. Plus, remembering a few phrases related to dining out can make the difference between a good meal and a memorable one. After all, if you dont know the difference between a pesca (peach) and pesce (fish), you might go hungry. Â   The Basics If youre pressed for time, focus on the fundamentals. Study the Italian ABCs and Italian numbers, learn how to pronounce Italian words and ask questions in Italian, and brush up on the euro (after all, youll have to reach into your portafoglio- wallet- eventually). Â   How Tos Dont want to miss the next train to Venice? Have tickets to La Scala for 20:00 and arent sure when that is? Here are quick, step-by-step instructions on how to tell time in Italian that will help you avoid missing curtain call. Michelangelos is around the corner. Or so you thought the sign said. Avoid missing the highlights of Italy with simple instructions on how to ask for directions in Italian. Travelers to Italy might also want to know , how to pronounce Italian words, and how to conjugate Italian verbs like a native. Â   Its All in the Hands When all else fails- your is buried deep in your suitcase and you can’t even begin to think in Italian- try to speak Italian with your hands. Its not just pointing and grunting when ordering your favorite , either. Italian hand gestures are a way to convey emotions and passions that Italians will understand implicitly. What might seem at first to be physical theater or a scene in an Italian comedy will actually be a way to connect that will be much appreciated. Â   Buon Appetito! One of the primary reasons for traveling to Italy (besides the magnificent art, the incredible history, the amazing archeological sites) is la cucina italiana. One challenge is since dishes are usually served on separate plates in a specific order. include the autogrill, or roadside snack bar; the osteria, an informal place; the trattoria, which is a medium-priced, often family-run eating establishment; and the paninoteca, a place where sandwiches and salads are often available. Travelers are often puzzled about tipping in restaurants in Italy, and for good reason. Il coperto (cover charge for bread and water)- but not the service charge- is usually included in il conto (the bill). Italians tend to tip minimally. Â   Divertiti - Have fun! One of the best ways to pass time like an Italian is to spend a day (or a month) at the beach. Here are phrases to help you do that. You’re going to see incredible sights, so you’ll want to have suitable vocabulary to express how incredible whatever you’re seeing is. Plus, you’ll find some of the best shopping in the world in Italy. You better be prepared for it. If you’re interested in learning Italian and becoming fluent, read this. And if you’re feeling really brave, you can visit these places that aren’t on the typical tourist’s itinerary. Buon viaggio!

Difference Between Public, Charter and Private Schools

Difference Between Public, Charter and Private Schools Public, private, and charter schools all share the same mission of educating children and young adults. But theyre different in some fundamental ways. For parents, choosing the right kind of school to send their children to can be a daunting task. Public Schools The vast majority of school-aged children in the U.S. receive their education in Amercas public schools. The first public school in the U.S., Boston Latin School, was founded in 1635, and most of the colonies in New England established what was called common schools in the following decades. However, many of these early public  institutions limited enrollment to male children of white families; girls and people of color generally were barred. By the time of the American Revolution, rudimentary public schools  had been established in  most states, although it wasnt until the 1870s that every state in the union had such institutions. Indeed, not until 1918 did all states require children to complete elementary school.  Today, public schools provide education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, and many districts also offer pre-kindergarten classes as well. Although K-12 education is mandatory for all children in the U.S., the age of attendance varies from state to state.   Modern public schools are funded with revenue from federal, state, and local governments. In general, state governments provide the most funding, up to half of a districts funding with revenue usually coming from income and property taxes. Local governments  also provide a large portion of school funding, usually also based on property tax revenue. The federal government makes up the difference, usually about 10 percent of total funding. Public schools must accept all students that reside within the school district, although enrollment numbers, test scores, and a students special needs (if any) may influence which school a student attends. State and local law dictate class size, testing standards, and curriculum. Charter Schools Charter schools are institutions that are publically funded but privately managed. They receive public money based on enrollment figures. Roughly 6 percent of U.S. kids in grades K-12 are enrolled in a charter school. Like public schools, students do not have to pay tuition in order to attend.  Minnesota became the first state to legalize them in 1991. Charter schools are so named because they are founded based on a set of governing principles, called a charter, written by parents, teachers, administrators, and sponsoring organizations. These sponsoring organizations may be private  companies, nonprofits, educational institutions, or individuals. These charters typically outline the schools educational philosophy and establish baseline criteria for measuring student and teacher success.   Each state handles charter school accreditation differently, but these institutions typically must have their charter approved by a state, county, or municipal authority in order to open. If the school fails to meet these standards, the charter may be revoked and the institution closed. Private Schools Private schools, as the name implies, are not funded with public tax dollars. Instead, they are funded primarily through tuition, as well as private donors and sometimes grant money. About 10 percent of the nations children are enrolled in K-12 private schools. Students who attend must either pay tuition or receive financial aid in order to attend. The cost of attending a private school varies from state to state and may range from about $4,000 per year to $25,000 or more, depending on the institution. The vast majority of private schools in the U.S. have affiliations with religious organizations, with the Catholic Church operating more than 40 percent of such institutions. Nonsectarian schools account for about 20 percent of all private schools, while other religious denominations operate the remainder. Unlike public or charter schools, private schools are not required to admit all applicants, nor are they required to observe some federal requirements such as the Americans with Disabilities Act unless they receive federal dollars. Private schools may also require compulsory religious education, unlike public institutions.