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English Language Learners Orientation (ELL) 2023

29 August 2023
Unlike other schools in the area, the academic year at UWC Adriatic starts in August. For the 4th time, the ELL programme has marked its beginning.

The English Language Learners Orientation programme ran this year from 20-25 August. This programme offered 15 students from Afghanistan, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Eswatini, Iraq, Japan, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, Timor-Leste, and Yemen the opportunity to come to Duino a week before the official start of term.

The first-year students experienced a week of English language lessons, an introduction to the Italian language, and social, sporting and cultural activities led by a dedicated and enthusiastic team of 11 second-year volunteers: Alina (Belarus), Benjamin (Chile), Chungu (Zambia), Emma (Italy), Gregorio (Italy), Irene (Italy), Marta (Poland), Patricia (Venezuela), Stani (Slovakia), Vordina (Nigeria) and Yousuf (Iraq).

Furthermore, two alumnae of our college – Laura Saliaj (Albania) and Gaia Tilotta (Italy) – returned to Duino to contribute to the programme’s success. Gaia shared how

“
this has given me the chance to experience once again the excitement of making Duino your home for the first time through the eyes of the new students and to feel the warmth and joyfulness of the second-years navigating the first days of their third semester. I am so glad I had the chance to join and experience the UWC spirit anew, getting to know the new generations and meeting my teachers after three years
”

The programme is designed to help support those who are learning English and those who may experience culture shock, giving them a chance to settle in at the college, feel more secure in Duino, and more confident in these second languages, as well as form bonds with a small group of peers who will help them feel at home throughout their time here. “The activities and topics were great”, said one of the participants. “I learnt a lot and I thank all the second years for being so helpful and caring”.  Activities and lessons included cultural presentations, storytelling, word games, everyday Italian phrases and vocabulary, an introduction to UWC Adriatic and IB-specific vocabulary, ping-pong, a treasure hunt to get to know the village, and a very enjoyable trip to Trieste. “I love Trieste,” said one of the students. “I saw beautiful architecture and getting to know other Adriatic students during the trip was great”. 

“
Learning basic Italian was one of my favourites,” said another “I didn’t just learn the language but I got to know more about the different types of coffee, when to drink it and how to ask for it in Italian!
”

The volunteers too really enjoyed this opportunity to support incoming students and make themselves useful. One of them mentioned having volunteered “to give back to the college for the wonderful scholarship I have”. Another volunteer had been a participant in the ELL programme in 2022 and was keen to “pay forward the ideas I learnt when I participated in the ELL program last year”.

At the end of the week, the students and volunteers were ready to start the new term, and very grateful for the experience. Laura S., Head of English, has been supervising this programme since it was initiated in 2018. Organising it involves a collective effort during the summer but the feedback from participants and their smoother integration in the College community testify to its importance. 

“
This is an extremely valuable and worthwhile experience for this small group of students. Most are somewhat nervous about moving away from home and coming to the College. Some students come not speaking English very well and with no knowledge of Italian and there is no one else who speaks their first language, as they come from cultures or countries very different from those of Italy and Europe. On top of that, some of the students who attend the programme have had disrupted education, or have experienced displacement, migration or instability in their home region. It is great every year to see these students connect, especially when those who might not otherwise become friends really bond because of the programme. It is also a great opportunity for the second-year students and alumi to get involved, share their own experiences and work together as a team to teach, support and care for the first years as they begin their time here at UWC Adriatic.
”

The College is therefore particularly grateful to Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo for its continued commitment to supporting the ELL programme – an initiative which significantly contributes to all the preparations happening throughout the summer in order to welcome Adriatic students and support them in their UWC journey in Duino.

Logo of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo featuring a design of colored squares forming a cross shape on the left, in yellow, blue, pink, and green, with the organization's name written in black text on the right.