JEDDAH, 1 December 2004 — King Abdul Aziz University students have shown an increasing preference for learning Romance languages, according to a visiting Italian professor who has taught at the King Abdul Aziz University for nearly five years.
“Students have shown an increased interest in learning Romance languages, especially Italian and French, but their preference for Italian has been amazing,” Professor Ettore Bruni told Arab News on the eve of his departure to Syria.
“The hospitality of Saudi teachers has no parallel,” he said. “It pains me to bid goodbye to the student community and faculty members to whom I was so much attached, but then I have to oblige my country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry which has now transferred me to another Middle Eastern country,” said Bruni who will be teaching Italian at Damascus University.
“When I came here about five years ago, I had 40 students who had opted for Italian in the university. In the last semester the student strength increased to 165,” said Bruni who aside from teaching Italian was also director of cultural activities at the Italian Consulate General.
“This was the first time I taught Arab students whose curriculum differs from that in my country or elsewhere. It was a good learning experience for me,” he added.
He said students here had been keen to learn other European languages such as English.
The teaching of Italian is covered in two semesters. The first semester covers the beginner’s level and the second one a slightly advanced level. “My aim was to make the students get used to the language at the beginner’s level and then acquaint them with the Italian literature,” he said.
Bruni said his replacement was expected to come in early 2005.
Bruni, who was also in charge of cultural activities on behalf of the consulate, said the Italian Cultural Center had been inactive for quite some time. “Activities in the community have been minimal in the last three years due to security reasons.”
