Invitation to Italian speakers in the Thame area

AN experienced Italian speaker with a background in businesses and teaching Italian is exploring the possibility of setting up a discussion group for advanced Italian speakers in the Thame area.

June Jones

June Jones, who lives in Haddenham, explained her idea: “I am trying to find out if there a few people in the Thame area who might be interested in joining me in forming a discussion group for advanced Italian speakers to keep the language flowing.

“It could be for any nationality who can and like to speak Italian, and could be also for Italian native speakers who wish to improve their English. The format could be half the time we talk in Italian and half in English so everyone benefits.”

Ideally the group would meet once or twice a month in Thame. Anyone interested is invited to email June: email june@junevalloryjones.co.uk

From greengrocery to construction, and beyond

June’s background is interesting and varied!  She went on: “I have lived in Haddenham for over 30 years and my late mother used to live in Thame. I studied French and Italian at university and used languages on and off during my career but my passion and best second language is Italian. I have owned and run several businesses of various types over the last 30 years including providing consultancy in sales to other companies. I am now semi-retired.

“My background in business and with Italian is that after my studies were complete, I spent a year working in Italy, teaching English to both adults and children. I used Italian in an early job back in the UK working for a company that imported fruit and vegetables from Italy but then concentrated on a career in sales where I did not use my language skills very much. Using my experience in the construction industry, my first private venture was as a subcontractor before setting up a training company with others delivering bespoke in-house language training to multi-national businesses.

“I have also set up and managed a recruitment business, and then a care business and have worked as an independent consultant in business to business sales. I have recently finished working with a long term client in Watford whose sales team I developed on and off as needed over many years, and about five years ago they took on responsibility for other distributors in several countries in Europe. One of those was based in Bergamo, Italy and as I spoke the language I agreed to help their Italian sales people improve their performance. I have now finished those assignments but wish to maintain the language skills. I have recently attended an advanced conversation class in Italian in Oxford.

Why start a local discussion group for Italian speakers?

June explained: “I found the discussion group in Oxford useful but too large and maybe a little too formal for my liking, so I thought maybe I could start one locally. The only criteria for members would be that they can already speak the language with relative ease even if not perfectly, so it could be English people who have studied to a high level, those who have worked or lived in Italy at some point or who may be Italian born or who have Italian relatives.

“The aim would be to maintain and/or improve language skills whilst enjoying a variety of conversations. We would assist each other and would choose topics of interest to the members. I have ideas on how to stimulate discussions but would also welcome ideas from others. I would envisage meeting once or twice a month at a local venue, probably in Thame.”