Dorset-Italian was set up in June 2012 by me, Jo Harvey, a resident of Gillingham since 2005. I noted when I moved here that there was little or no language learning provision in Dorset unless you travelled to Bournemouth, which is a long way on a cold winter's night!

I wanted to set up small friendly classes set in local venues that allow anyone to attend. The lessons are a fun way to start learning and improve your Italian. There is no exam to scare you off, just a happy, inclusive learning environment.

I moved to Italy at the beginning of 1993, where I lived for 3 years. Florence, where I lived, is a beautiful city, full of beautiful people and a beautiful language. It is said that that the language spoken there is the purest form of Italian. Learn Florentine Italian and you will be able to speak and be understood in all of Italy.

When I left Italy in late 1995, I worked in the UK for Magneti Marelli, a subsidiary of Fiat. There I spoke to Italian suppliers every day for three years, consolidating my Italian language skills, and also house shared with two Italian guys, Roberto and Iassen. Speaking Italian all day, every day, gets into your psyche, so much so, that I can sometimes still dream in Italian and often find myself translating song lyrics from English to Italian in my head - weird I know!

Over the last year, I have been training at University Centre Yeovil, to be a teacher. The qualification is a Certificate to Teach in the Lifelong learning Sector (post-16 education in normal speak).

I have now decided to link my language skills and qualifications together to offer Italian classes here in North Dorset, so I do hope you will get in contact with me and join one of my fun and instructive lessons.

***See the feedback page to see what current and previous learners think of the lessons***