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The Shenkerian Cultural Magazine

Novembre 2010

The Shenkerian Settembre 2010

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Summary

The Social Network 3 Film Phoenix , Arizona 8 Travelling The Simpsons: 10 classic episodes 12 Focus On Sherlock Holmes Part 3 20 Reading Metodo e Language Activation 24 per un inglese migliore Interview

www.shenker.com

N. Verde: 800 098 532

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The Social Network

Film

Director: David Fincher Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake Wired Review - Wired.co.uk – 18/10/2010 A docu-drama about Mark Zuckerberg‟s rise from an awkward Harvard student to billionaire founder of Facebook, plays it rather loose with the facts. Instead of slavishly following reality, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and director David Fincher extensively dramatise seemingly humdrum events, and lace the story with Hollywood verve. Less coding for hours in dark dorm rooms, and more sex, drugs and non-stop drinking. awkward – goffo, impacciato, maldestro; slavishly – pedissequamente; humdrum – monotoni, banali, noiosi; lace – ornano, riempiono, rimpolpano; coding – scrivere codici informatici; dorm – camere della casa dello studente

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In a quest to pinpoint some obvious reason for Zuckerberg‟s motivation behind creating Facebook, other than the humble ambitions of making a gigantic social network, the film turns a driven, genius coder into a sheepish geek desperate to be liked, either by Harvard‟s exclusive “final clubs” or rockstar Napster inventor Sean Parker. It sometimes comes off as trying slightly too hard to squeeze real life events into a more traditional story arc. Essentially, don‟t sit down at the cinema with a notepad and expect to come away with a factual understanding of Facebook‟s creation. You‟ll get the basic events, from Zuckerberg‟s run-ins with school boards to million-dollar legal tiffs, and the testy relationships that build and crumble around the founding of the web‟s biggest hit, but elements of the story routinely drop into the realm of fiction. It‟s more than just a biopic on how Facebook was made. This is a timeless study of characters and themes that tackles bold, universal ideas like greed, entitlement, betrayal and obsession. Rolling Stone Review - Rollingstone.com – 30/9/2010 Here‟s a poke to users and nonusers of Facebook: The Social Network isn‟t some yawny visual aid on how the website grew from a few hundred users at Harvard in 2004 to a 2010 global reach of half a billion. quest – tentativo; pinpoint – individuare; humble – umili, modeste; sheepish – timido, imbarazzato, remissivo; geek – fanatico del computer, dell‟informatica; run-ins – scontri; tiffs – bisticci, litigi; testy – stizzosi; biopic – film biografico (“biography” + “picture”); tackles – affronta; bold – audaci; greed – avidità; entitlement – diritto acquisito; betrayal – tradimento; poke – colpo, breve comunicazione di contatto; yawny – noioso (da yawn, sbadiglio)

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The Social Network is a hard-charging beast of a movie with a full tank of creative gas that keeps it humming from start to finish (hell of a middle, too). Sure, it gives you the facts about how then-Harvard undergrad Mark Zuckerberg (a never-better Jesse Eisenberg) made billions by helping technology win the battle against actual human contact. But it‟s also about the nation of narcissists we‟ve become, reshaping who we are on Facebook in the hope of being friended by other users. The Social Network lights up a dim movie sky with flares of startling brilliance. Director David Fincher (Fight Club, Seven, Zodiac) puts his visual mastery to work on the verbal pyrotechnics in the dynamite. It deserves to go viral. Slant Magazine Review - Slant Magazine.com, 25/9/2010 In a telling juxtaposition, Fincher jumps between Zuckerberg creating Facemash and a decadent party at one of the Harvard “Final Clubs,” whose admission the geek covets. It‟s an acute reflection not only of the motivations behind his inspired computer wonkery, but also of the way his work will replicate – and cannibalize, as further suggested by an animal-cruelty subplot involving chickens eating chickens – such social relations. Desperate to be liked, Zuckerberg begets Facebook so everyone can be president of their own exclusive club. The idea of “exclusivity,” though, is what draws the ire of WASPy twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer) and their full tank – serbatoio pieno; humming – fervere (di attività); reshaping – ridisegnando; lights up – accende, illumine; dim – offuscato, confuse; deserves – merita; covets – desidera, brama wonkery – secchioneria; begets – crea, genera; draws – attira, richiama

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friend Divya Narendra (Max Minghella), who, after hiring Zuckerberg to work on their Harvard Connect (a Facebook-ish site that would court users via the esteemed Harvard.edu suffix), become enraged over Zuckerberg pilfering their idea. An ensuing debate over what truly constitutes intellectual property theft, however, never quite materializes. That‟s because The Social Network‟s more pressing concern is Zuckerberg‟s gargantuan sense of superiority, which is so rampant that he callously admits to a deposition lawyer that he‟s paying the man little mind, and which is ultimately expressed by his triumphant attempts to circumvent Harvard‟s exclusionary old-boy power structure (also spied in the Winklevosses‟ U.K. rowing match) by creating a new Internet world order in which technology enables nerds to inherit the Earth. Zuckerberg‟s betrayal of the Winklevosses pales in comparison to that perpetrated against trusting Eduardo, whom he screws out of his share of the company, thanks, in part, to the influence of entrepreneur and Napster co-founder Sean Parker (a suavely sinister Justin Timberlake), who assumes the role of devil on Zuckerberg‟s shoulder. “I was your only friend,” Eduardo mournfully tells Zuckerberg across a table surrounded by lawyers, and the sadness in both men‟s eyes is compounded by the fact that Zuckerberg was compelled not by wealth, but simple jealousy – of Eduardo‟s membership into the prestigious Phoenix Club, to be sure, but more fundamental still, of anybody more congenial than he was. enraged – furibondi, adirati, arrabbiati; pilfering – che ruba; ensuing – conseguente, derivante; pales – diventa irrisorio, insignificante; screws out – raggira, imbroglia; mournfully – tristemente

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Which was just about everybody. In this respect, The Social Network is at once a snapshot of a particular era and a universal story about trying to fit in, and the disastrous isolation such endeavors can entail. snapshot – istantanea; endeavors – sforzi, tentativi; entail – comportare, implicare

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Phoenix,

Arizona

Travelling

About Phoenix

History

Things to do Fun facts

About Phoenix Things are different in the desert. The sky is bigger. The stars are brighter. The sunsets stop you in your tracks. America‟s fifth-largest city still has real cowboys and rugged mountains and the kind of cactus most people see only in cartoons. Phoenix is the gateway to the Grand Canyon, and its history is a testament to the spirit of puebloans, ranchers, miners and visionaries. Projected against this rich backdrop is a panorama of urban sophistication: Resorts and spas that drop jaws and soothe souls. brighter – più brillanti; rugged – frastagliate, aspre; gateway – entrata, passaggio, porta; backdrop – sfondo, scenario; drop jaws – lasciano a bocca aperta; soothe – calmano, placano

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Stadiums and arenas worthy of the world‟s biggest sports spectacles. Restaurants with inspired cuisine and inspiring patio views. Golf courses that beckon players the year round. Shopping centers as stylish and eclectic as the fashions they house.

History History in Phoenix is as colorful as the ancient peoples, immigrants and settlers who shaped it. If you‟re a history buff, no trip here is complete without a visit to the museums dedicated to telling Phoenix‟s story – places like Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, Heard Museum, and the Phoenix Museum of History. The Hohokam people inhabited what is now Greater Phoenix until about 1450 A.D. They created the first major urban civilization in the Salt River Valley and developed a canal system that‟s still in use today. In 1865, the U.S. government established Fort McDowell here, and settlers such as Jack Swilling began farming the land.

FYI:

In the Pima language “hohokam” means “those who have gone".

The city of Phoenix was established in 1868. Two years later, the first survey and census of the city noted that it was about a mile long and a half-mile wide, with 74 dwellings and a population of 250. Today, Greater Phoenix (which includes, among others, the cities of Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tempe), covers about 2,000 square miles and the population exceeds 3.8 million. worthy – degni, meritevoli; beckon – invitano; settlers – coloni buff – patito, appassionato dwellings – abitazioni

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Things to do Experience the Culture The Desert Botanical Garden and the Heard Museum (featuring one of the nation‟s largest collections of traditional and contemporary Native American art) offer unique Southwestern experiences, while Phoenix Art Museum and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMOCA) appeal to contemporary art types. If you have kids, the Children‟s Museum of Phoenix and the Arizona Science Center are must-dos. Get Outdoors Dependable sunshine and warm temperatures make outdoor activities a way of life in Phoenix. Horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing are popular Phoenix activities for visitors and locals alike. Thrill seekers can soar above the desert plateau in a glider, sailplane or hot-air balloon. Visitors can also choose from water skiing, sailing, fishing and tubing in the region‟s lakes and rivers.

Fun facts – According to legend, Phoenix gets its name from Cambridge-educated pioneer Darrell Duppa, who saw the ruins and prehistoric canals of the Hohokam and believed another civilization would rise from the ashes. – Phoenix is the United States‟ fifth-largest city, with a population of nearly 1.5 million. – Phoenix's elevation is 1,117 feet above sea level. must-dos – cose da fare, attrazioni da non mancare; hiking – escursionismo; thrill – fremito, brivido, emozione; soar – planare glider – aliante; ashes – ceneri

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– Greater Phoenix is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, which is widely considered the most ecologically diverse desert in the world. – Phoenix averages more than 310 sunny days per year. – Greater Phoenix is home to more than 200 golf courses. – 13-15 million people visit Phoenix each year. More than 30 million people visit Arizona each year. – Sky Harbor International Airport serves more than 42 million passengers a year, ranking it among the 10 busiest airports in the nation. – Phoenix is one of only 13 U.S. cities with franchises in all four major professional sports leagues: Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Arizona Cardinals (NFL) and Phoenix Coyotes (NHL). – Greater Phoenix‟s major industries are: (1) high-tech manufacturing, (2) tourism and (3) construction. – There are six lakes within a 75-minute drive of Phoenix. – Arizona is home to 23 reservations representing 22 different Native American tribes. Text taken from: www.visitphoenix.com - www.arizonaguide.com averages – ha in media

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The Simpsons:

10 classic episodes

Focus On

Published 14/01/2010 by BBC Online As The Simpsons celebrate their 20th anniversary, here‟s a look at some of the most memorable episodes that have been drawn to life over the years.

MARGE VS THE MONORAIL (1993) When Mr Burns is fined for dumping toxic waste, the town has to decide how to spend the money – and gets talked into buying an unnecessary monorail of questionable safety. A tribute to The Music Man, this episode features a cameo from almost every Simpsons character, and a dizzying array of pop culture references. In the first 60 seconds alone, the show lampoons The Flintstones, Beverly Hills Cop and Silence of the Lambs. is fined – viene multato; dumping – aver scaricato; waste – rifiuti; dizzying array – serie vertiginosa; lampoons – satireggia

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Memorable moment: Conman Lyle Lanley tells the town meeting his plan is “more of a Shelbyville idea”. Mayor Quimby bristles: “We‟re twice as smart as the people of Shelbyville. Just tell us your idea, and we‟ll vote for it!”

CAPE FEARE (1993) Bart‟s nemesis Sideshow Bob is released on parole, forcing the Simpsons into a witness protection programme. Bob eventually tracks the family down to a houseboat on “Lake Terror” (the entire plot was a riff on Martin Scorsese‟s recent remake of Cape Fear). Offered one final request, Bart asks Bob to sing the entire score to HMS Pinafore. Succumbing to his own vanity, the criminal purrs: “Very well, Bart, I shall send you to heaven before I send you to hell” – and finishes his rendition just as the police arrive. Memorable moment: After a script read-through, it became clear the episode was too short, so executive producer Al Jean stretched out one throwaway sight gag for nearly thirty seconds. The resulting sequence, where Sideshow Bob steps on, and is smacked in the face by, a rake nine times is one of the series‟ best moments of slapstick.

THE ITCHY & SCRATCHY & POOCHIE SHOW (1997) Homer gets recruited as a new character in The Simpsons‟ show-within-a-show, Itchy and Scratchy (an ultra-violent parody of Tom and Jerry). bristles – risponde risentito; purrs – fa le fusa, mormora; throwaway sight gag – gag visiva buttata là; rake – rastrello; slapstick – farsa, umorismo grossolano; gets recruited – viene reclutato, scelto

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This was episode 167 – marking the point where The Simpsons overtook The Flintstones as the longest-running animated sitcom on US television. The writers used the opportunity to pay tribute to the art of animation and rail against network interference in their show. At one point, a focus group informs Itchy and Scratchy‟s creators they want “a realistic, down-to-earth show that‟s completely off-the-wall and swarming with magic robots”. Memorable moment: Homer meets fellow voice artist June Bellamy (a tribute to Hanna-Barbera voice actress June Foray). Homer: “How did you get to be so good?” June: “Oh, just experience, I suppose. I started out as Road Runner – meep!” Homer: “You mean meep meep!” June: “No, they only paid me to say it once, then they doubled it up on the soundtrack”.

SIMPSONS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE (1989) The first full episode of The Simpsons to air in the US was a Christmas special – a few weeks ahead of the series‟ official debut on 14 January 1990. Actually the eighth show to be produced, this set the template for the early years with its mixture of anarchic comedy and cosy moralising. Bart decides to get a tattoo because “they‟re cool and they last forever” – but when Marge finds out, she spends her Christmas savings to have it surgically removed. overtook – hanno superato; rail – inveire, lamentarsi; swarming – brulicante; air – essere trasmesso; cosy – confortevole

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Homer takes a part-time job as a shopping mall Santa so that the children will still get gifts but, to his dismay, discovers at the last minute that his pay cheque is a mere $13. “Don‟t worry,” says Bart, comforting his father, “if TV has taught me anything, it‟s that miracles always happen to poor kids at Christmas.” Memorable moment: Bart hands over his Christmas list to Marge: “There‟s only one fat guy that brings us presents and his name ain’t Santa.”

BART GETS AN „F‟ (1990) By the start of the second series, of which this was the first episode, Bart had become something of a counter-culture hero. But rather than capitalise on the character‟s punky reputation, the show‟s writers decided to show that, deep down, he was scared of failure. The 10-year-old spends the episode hopelessly trying to study for an all-important exam, and breaks down in tears when he gets the inevitable „F‟. Insightful and poignant, it remains the highest-rated Simpsons episode ever, watched by 33m people in the US – putting it ahead of the Cosby Show for the first time. Memorable moment: Unable to concentrate on revision, Bart slaps dismay – costernazione; pay cheque – assegno, paga; ain’t – non è (dial.); punky – ribelle; insightful – sagace, penetrante; poignant – intenso, commovente, toccante; slaps – schiaffeggia;

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himself around the face, muttering: “You wanna be held back a grade? Concentrate, man!” There is a sudden jump cut to the next day, as the class are handing in their completed test papers – and Bart is still slapping himself.

THE MONKEY SUIT (2006) The common consensus is that The Simpsons‟ golden era ended after season nine, but this episode, from series 17, shows the writers still have fire in their bellies. When devout Christian Ned Flanders discovers that the Springfield museum is promoting the theory of evolution, he starts a campaign to have creationism taught in science class. This sets up a classic tug-of-war between liberal thinker Lisa and the town‟s more traditionally-minded residents, which only ends when Homer‟s attempts to open a bottle of beer make the link between ape and man apparent. Memorable moment: Lisa: “How can you teach the book of Genesis as a scientific theory?” Principal Skinner: “This helpful video will evade all your questions.” He loads up the tape, and the credits begin: “So you‟re calling God a liar?”

TREEHOUSE OF HORROR V (1995) The Simpsons‟ annual Halloween show can be hit or miss, but this example features three classic horror tales. muttering – mormorando, borbottando; fire in their bellies – frecce al loro arco (lett. fuoco in pancia); tug-of-war – tiro alla fune, braccio di ferro; liar – bugiardo; hit or miss – successo o fallimento

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In a parody of The Shining, Homer goes crazy when he finds there is no TV or beer at his remote winter lodge, prompting him to try to kill his family. Time and Punishment sees Homer change the world to one ruled by Ned Flanders after he goes back in time and accidentally kills a mosquito, causing a huge butterfly effect. The final tale, Nightmare Cafeteria, sees unruly pupils being used as a grisly new food source at Springfield Elementary School after the cafeteria is hit by budget cuts. Memorable moment: In Nightmare Cafeteria, Principal Skinner chases Bart down a corridor, declaring: “I‟m going to enjoy devouring you Bart Simpson. Yes, I believe I‟ll start, as you so often suggested, by eating your shorts.”

LIFE ON THE FAST LANE (1990) Homer buys Marge an expensive bowling ball for her birthday, secretly hoping she‟ll give it to him. But the plan backfires, as Marge decides to start using her gift at the local bowling alley – and is seduced by velvet-tongued bowling expert Jacques (played by guest star Albert Brooks). Sensing that something is amiss, Bart and Lisa prepare for their parents to split up, but Marge stops short of having an affair when she realises how much she loves her family. prompting him – inducendolo; unruly pupils – alunni indisciplinati; grisly – macabro, raccapricciante; chases – insegue backfires – gli si ritorce contro; bowling alley – sala da bowling something is amiss – qualcosa non va

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The episode ends with a parody of An Officer and a Gentleman, as Homer happily leaves work with Marge in his arms, declaring: “I‟m going to the back seat of my car with the woman I love, and I won‟t be back for 10 minutes.” Memorable moment: When Homer presents Marge with the bowling ball, it falls out of its box and crushes her birthday cake. Homer: “Don‟t worry, this frosting will come right off. Beauty, isn‟t she?” Marge: “It‟s hard for me to judge as I‟ve never bowled in my life.”

LISA THE VEGETARIAN (1995) Lisa decides to give up meat when she falls in love with a tiny lamb during a visit to the zoo. She falls out with Homer after ruining his pork and beef-filled barbecue and runs away from home. Her spirits are given a boost when she encounters Sir Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda, who advise her how to handle other people‟s carnivorous tendencies. Sir Paul reportedly only agreed to appear on the show if the writers kept Lisa committed to vegetarianism until the end of the series. Memorable moment: Lisa: “I never realised before, but some Itchy & Scratchy cartoons send the message that violence against animals is funny.” Bart: “They what? Cartoons don‟t have messages, Lisa.” frosting – glassa (sulla torta); tiny lamb – piccolo agnello; falls out with – litiga con; committed – dedicata, votata

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LAST EXIT TO SPRINGFIELD (1993) Homer takes charge of the union at Springfield‟s nuclear plant in an attempt to save the workers‟ dental plan. His motivations, as ever, are selfish – Lisa needs braces, and he can only afford a set that “predate stainless steel, so you can‟t get them wet”. The story pits Homer against power plant owner Mr Burns (age 104, social security number 000-00-0002), who tries to break the strike by bribing Homer – only to have the offer misinterpreted as a sexual advance. With references to The Grinch, Godfather II, Batman and Yellow Submarine, this is frequently cited as the show‟s best-ever episode. Memorable moment: Mr Burns: “This is a thousand monkeys working at a thousand typewriters. Soon, they‟ll have finished the greatest novel known to man.” He picks up a page and reads aloud: “All right, let‟s see... „It was the best of times, it was the blurst of times?‟ You stupid monkey.“ braces – apparecchio ortodontico; pits – contrappone; strike – sciopero; by bribing – corrompendo; the blurst of times – il riferimento è una citazione dell‟inizio del romanzo “A Tale of Two Cities” di Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”

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Sherlock Holmes:

The man with the

Twisted Lip – 3

Reading - Literature

From The adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle:

ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP – Part 3 […] “Holmes!” I whispered, “what on earth are you doing in this den?” “As low as you can,” he answered; “I have excellent ears. If you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you.” “I have a cab outside.” “Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. what on earth – che caspita, che diavolo (idiom.); den – covo, topaia, fumeria d‟oppio; get rid – sbarazzarsi; sottish – drogato, abbruttito, ubriaco; limp – debole, esausto, stremato; mischief – danno, guaio

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I should recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait outside, I shall be with you in five minutes.” It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes‟ requests, for they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney was once confined in the cab my mission was practically accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney‟s bill, led him out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. “I suppose, Watson,” said he, “that you imagine that I have added opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical views.” “I was certainly surprised to find you there.” “But not more so than I to find you.” “I came to find a friend.” “And I to find an enemy.” “An enemy?” “Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable inquiry, and mastery – autorità, padronanza; bill – conto; shuffled along – camminò strascicando i piedi; bent back – schiena piegata; prey – preda

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I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hour‟s purchase; for I have used it before now for my own purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that building, near the corner of Paul‟s Wharf, which could tell some strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless nights.” “What! You do not mean bodies?” “Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had £1000 for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our trap should be here.” He put his two forefingers between his teeth and whistled shrilly – a signal which was answered by a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of wheels and the clink of horses‟ hoofs. “Now, Watson,” said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from its side lanterns. “You‟ll come with me, won‟t you?” “If I can be of use.” “Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one.” “The Cedars?” clue – indizio; ramblings – discorsi sconclusionati, divagazioni; sots – ubriaconi; rascally – senza scrupoli; Lascar – orientale; has sworn – ha giurato; trap-door – botola; bodies – cadaveri; vilest – più vile, spregevole; whistled – fischiò; shrilly – in modo stridulo, acutamente; rattle – sferragliare, rumore; clink – tintinnio; hoofs – zoccoli; dog-cart – calesse; dashed up – arrivava rapidamente; gloom – buio, oscurità; If I can be of use – se posso esserle utile; trusty comrade – compagno fidato

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“Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair‟s house. I am staying there while I conduct the inquiry.” “Where is it, then?” “Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us.” “But I am all in the dark.” “Of course you are. You‟ll know all about it presently. Jump up here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here‟s half a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her head. So long, then!”

Continued next month…

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Metodo e Language

Activation per un

inglese migliore

Interview

“Un metodo unico e infallibile che ti permette in poco tempo di

acquisire un‟evidente padronanza della lingua inglese”

Attraverso una semplice chiacchierata con un nostro studente di

Milano, Luigi Cavagnera, impiegato presso un‟azienda

multinazionale, emerge come in ambito professionale sia

determinante il supporto che lo Shenker riesce a dare

nell‟insegnamento della lingua inglese.

Per questo, non contento di aver raggiunto con esito positivo il

livello 75, lo studente milanese ha volutamente scelto di affinare il

suo inglese parlato con le Language Activation. Dopo aver appreso

gli elementi teorici indispensabili, diventa naturale infatti allenare il

lessico parlato mediante la “palestra linguistica” studiata

appositamente dal Metodo per i suoi studenti. Sono molti infatti a

integrare il proprio piano di studio individuale con le lezioni di

Language Activation, un modo appropriato per parlare l‟inglese con

maggiore scioltezza e in tempi da record!

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Cosa è cambiato nella sua vita grazie a Shenker?

Shenker ha decisamente migliorato la capacità di comprensione del

mio inglese. L‟ascolto di un brano musicale, così come le relazioni

interpersonali in ambito lavorativo hanno subito una

trasformazione. Una vera e propria svolta.

Perché proprio in ambito professionale?

Lavoro per una multinazionale. La mia esigenza è stata fin da subito

quella di parlare l‟inglese correttamente. Ho continui rapporti con

l‟estero. Mi occupo di reti informatiche. E come lei ben sa le

informazioni e i contatti sono in lingua originale.

Il suo livello di partenza?

Da oltre tre anni sono iscritto allo Shenker di corso Matteotti a

Milano partendo dal secondo corso. Conoscevo il Metodo da tempo,

avendolo studiato più di 10 anni fa. In quella circostanza ero partito

dal livello 0. Facevo parte di una classe poiché era la mia azienda a

finanziare il corso.

Un grande salto di qualità dunque, se consideriamo che partendo

dallo 0 è arrivato in poco tempo a raggiungere un importante

risultato…

Mi sono accorto immediatamente che il Metodo funzionava. Per

questo, reduce dai successi ottenuti in passato ho poi scelto, a 10

anni di distanza, di tornare nuovamente a studiare presso lo

Shenker. Stavolta però sono io a pagarmi il corso.

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Un “individuale” in tutti i sensi?

Sì, posso scegliere personalmente il giorno e l‟orario delle lezioni,

senza alcun vincolo. Ho optato per un programma Classic. Una

mole di studio maggiore che non mi spaventa.

Ha mai frequentato corsi di Inglese presso altre strutture?

Sì, ma nessuno mi ha dato quello che cercavo. Shenker è il

migliore, fa la differenza.

Perché Shenker fa la differenza, ci spieghi quali sono i meriti del

Metodo?

La differenza tra lo Shenker e le altre scuole è dettata dal fatto che

il vostro è un Metodo strutturato e funzionale. Le lezioni vengono

preparate attraverso l‟ascolto continuo, la fonetica, il riscontro sui

testi. È un Metodo completo che fa crescere la conoscenza della

lingua giorno dopo giorno. Nelle altre scuole non avevo alcun

miglioramento. L‟esercizio a casa era piuttosto limitato a riempire

un brano con le parole mancanti. Niente ascolto né pronuncia.

Niente traduzioni né verifica in classe.

Quanto tempo dedica al suo studio ogni giorno?

Un‟ora, al massimo un‟ora e mezza. Ascolto i cd soprattutto in

macchina mentre torno a casa dal lavoro. Un merito dello Shenker è

proprio l‟ascolto. Alla fine ti entra in testa. Ad oggi posso dire con

certezza di aver colmato molte lacune grammaticali e di aver alzato

notevolmente il mio livello di comprensione.

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Si ricorda il momento esatto in cui è riuscito con facilità ad

esprimersi in inglese?

Eccome! La prima volta che due stranieri in visita a Milano mi hanno

chiesto delle indicazioni. Senza esitare ho spiegato loro quale fosse

il percorso migliore per il Duomo.

È soddisfatto del suo inglese?

Non ci si sente mai pienamente padroni della lingua, anche se nel

mio lavoro e nei viaggi di piacere all‟estero grazie al Metodo

Shenker sono riuscito a parlare l‟inglese con maggiore scioltezza e

qualità.

Il livello 75 è un traguardo per noi importante. Continuerà il Metodo

o si fermerà soddisfatto del risultato?

Ho già incrementato il mio corso con lezioni di Language Activation.

La mia era soprattutto una difficoltà di espressione verbale. Ora ho

acquisito maggiore sicurezza. Non so se dopo il Fex continuerò

l‟ultimo corso. Vedremo!

Language Activation è poi la palestra ideale per chi, come me,

l‟inglese ha soprattutto bisogno di parlarlo.

Ogni corso ha poi peculiarità e caratteristiche specifiche…

Nel secondo e terzo corso poi ho registrato i veri miglioramenti.

Entrambi i corsi completano la tua formazione linguistica. Ti danno

The Shenkerian Settembre 2010

28

sicurezza. Se nel primo, studiato 10 anni fa, ho assimilato gli

elementi grammaticali, gli altri due sono serviti ad arricchire la mia

preparazione.

La classica domanda: Shenker in una parola è…?

È “British”. In poco tempo ti fornisce gli strumenti del perfetto

inglese. Scritto e parlato.

E in due parole?

È l‟unico corso in cui non si parla un inglese italianizzato. Questo ti

consente di comprendere e di essere compresi dai madrelingua.

The Shenkerian Settembre 2010

29

The Shenkerian Settembre 2010

30

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Bye,

see you next month…

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