Parliamo Italiano!

Parliamo Italiano!

Monday, July 13, 2015

Italian Conversation Group

The Italian Language Conversation Group.

Interested in maintaining your Italian?
Consider: The Italian Language Conversation Group.

Our Italian Conversation Group was created for the purpose of maintaining, promoting and increasing the Italian Culture.
Our events thrive on the spontaneity, generosity and enthusiasm of our members.

Most group members live in McAllen, Monterrey, Merida or bordering towns. Meeting attendees have various levels of proficiency; some are quite fluent, while others mostly listen. However, no English or Spanish is spoken, and no lessons are given. There are no assigned books or topics of conversation.

Nato come estemporaneo gruppo di conversazione italiana, The Italian Conversation Group è divenuto un punto di riferimento sociale e culturale sia per gli italiani residenti nell’area metropolitana di McAllen, Merida e Monterrey che per americani, messicani o stranieri che nutrono un serio interesse per la cultura e per la lingua italiana.
Il nostro principale obiettivo è quello di promuovere la cultura e l'uso della lingua italiana, attraverso la conversazione informale, senza quindi l'impegno di abbonamenti, iscrizioni e frequenza di regolari corsi di lingua.
The Italian Conversation Group garantisce un dialogo tra italiani e persone residenti in queste aree geografiche, offrendo un luogo che si presta allo scambio di reciproche esperienze e di preziose informazioni socio-culturali riguardanti sia l'Italia che gli Stati Uniti ed il Messico. Esso è pertanto utilissimo sia ai neo-arrivati, che a coloro i quali intendono mantenere vivo il loro interesse o ottenere informazioni su attualità, attività culturali e viaggi.
I nostri incontri consentono ai nostri membri di conversare in un'atmosfera tranquilla, rilassata e familiare. Le nostre non sono feste, ma festive riunioni. Alle riunioni si incontra nuova gente, si chiacchiera del più e del meno o, se lo si desidera, di cose serie; si prendono contatti, si fanno nuove amicizie, ci si informa su novità, leggi, servizi, percorsi turistici alternativi, ricette, pubblicazioni, mostre d’arte e attività culturali sia italiane che locali, il tutto assaggiando prodotti e vini italiani e verificando le ottime abilità culinarie di alcuni dei nostri partecipanti.
L’atmosfera è rilassata e conviviale. Il nostro gruppo e' frequentato in egual misura da italiani, americani, messicani e stranieri provenienti da ogni parte del mondo. Il livello di conversazione non è prestabilito e dipende interamente dall'abilità e dall'esperienza dei partecipanti. Ai nostri incontri la conversazione italiana è d'obbligo. Registratevi al nostro sito. L'operazione é gratuita, e i vostri dati personali non saranno mai resi accessibili ad alcuna entità privata, commerciale o pubblica.
Grazie per esservi uniti a noi in questa eccitante avventura.
Speriamo d'incontrarvi alla prossima riunione!

The Italian Conversation Group began when several friends got together to practice speaking Italian. The group remained fairly small for about a year – in fact, one time only a single person showed up.
The gatherings took place in restaurants but when the group grew, it became impossible to manage the meetings and keep our 'ragione d'essere'– converse in Italian – alive. After trying a few more cafés and restaurants, it was decided to attempt a more cordial atmosphere by meeting in private homes.
Accessibility to our meetings is defined by one simple rule: as long as the participant makes a sincere effort to speak Italian, s/he is always welcome to join in. In fact, at the meetings we do not speak English, Spanish or other languages. Thus, while we remain open to new members, it is in our sole interest that The Italian Conversation Group does not slip into the format of a generic party. We therefore discourage our members from inviting friends who do not speak Italian.
The only reason we feel compelled to formulate these thoughts in English is to include in this discourse those individuals whose language skills have not achieved full proficiency. It would be unfair, assuming that everyone approaching our group is capable to discern advanced Italian.
We nevertheless hold true our rule: at the meetings, Italian is required and expected.
At the meetings, 'italiano' is spoken at all levels. You will fit right in, whether you are capable to set off on a philosophical dissertation, or you need to learn how to order at the restaurant.
Members' skills vary from beginners to native speakers.
Accompanied by the fine food and wines our members bring, our meetings are the perfect environments for a non-Italian member who is interested in our culture and language to hear the native tongue here, at home.
Our members can meet a variety of people who have already developed an interest in our secular traditions and language, and expand their network and acquaintances.
Our meetings have become the checkpoint of all the Italians who arrive in McAllen, Monterrey or Merida and the polar information center of anyone who is planning for a trip to Italy. Europeans have fed their nostalgia of the old continent and retrieved those colorful habits and warm hospitality, which are the distinguished marks of the Italian culture.

So, next time you plan to make it to an event, pick-up some bread, grab some Italian cheese, or get some tiramisù, sherbet, Nutella or biscotti.
Wine and Beer consumption has never been a concern as it is done very moderately, convivial style.
If you have time, make something you like to cook.
Our events thrive on the spontaneity, generosity and enthusiasm of our members.
The Italian Conversation Group grows and prospers out of the continuing enthusiasm of our members and the generosity of those who host its meetings.

Our mission is to promote an appreciation of Italian language and culture through Italian language lessons, cooking lessons, film, art, music, literature, wine tastings, sports, travel and social engagement. We help people with a strong interest in Italy connect with one another, both online and in person.
We're the original Italian language meetup group in our area. Tutti possono aderire al nostro gruppo. Se ci aiuti a crescere... cresceremo insieme!
Want to find out more? Check our calendar to see the exact time and location of events and come join us. Read more about our activities.
* Quattro chiacchiere tra amici: These bi-weekly events offer the opportunity to practice your Italian with other very friendly and enthusiastic Italian language speakers in a highly informal and comfortable setting. Our group is at all levels of Italian proficiency from beginning to advanced and we all help each other. Parleremo di tutto e di niente, l'importante è stare in compagnia e farsi anche qualche risata.
* Cineforum italiano: Italian films are a wonderful way to share an Italian cultural experience.
* Let's Travel to Italy: Come experience Italy with our group and create memories that last a lifetime! Our group trips are limited to small groups of travelers.
* Tutti a tavola: We offer Italian cooking lessons where you can learn the art and traditions of Italian cooking while speaking Italian.
* L'aperitivo italiano: We enjoy Happy Hour events in Italian style. We often celebrate with our friends in the group. Cin-Cin!
* Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to some of the common questions about our Italian group.

And it doesn't stop there.
We're always looking for new opportunities to socialize while enjoying Italian language and culture.
We participate in guided museum tours, lectures, exhibits, street festivals, concerts, sporting events and cultural events at the Italian embassy and other locations. All the events are selected with the Italian and italophile in mind.
You'll see the exact time and location for events once you join our group.

If you are interested to join this group, please contact: rgvlanguages@aol.com for further information.