Language study

google the gerta institute. Should bring up the Goetha Institut webpage for Germany. They may have something or might direct you to a good source for one on one instruction. If you have no grounding in either of these languages go for a small child's language skills.

There are plenty of Italian schools for foreigners in various Italian cities. Perugia, Florence, Siena, Rome, Venice etc. they all have options and I presume they are all good. The biggest challenge is that most of these cities are popular with Anglophone tourists and students, therefore the risk is that you might end up hanging out with people you meet there from English speaking countries and therefore will be speaking English all day and not practice your Italian skills with locals. Therefore it is not so much the school you choose, but whom you hang out with which will determine whether you will learn the language. You really must make an effort to avoid people from English speaking countries (many of whom will be attending your same courses in the same school) and befriend and frequent local people only instead. I know it's Not easy, because the tendency is to gravitate toward your country mates and there will be no Italian classmates in your class, but that's the only way to learn Italian and not throw your money away. Since you are from Seattle I'm sure you have heard of Amanda Knox. She was going to the Univ. of Perugia but hanging out with her British roommate and her English speaking friend. Her Italian was very poor initially, in spite of going to a famous school for foreigners.. But when she was in jail she could only be with Italian speaking people and at the trial her Italian was perfect. I'm not suggesting you go to an Italian prison to learn Italian, but that shows that is not so much the school, but the everyday practice which makes the difference. Same applies to learning German in Germany.

LOL Roberto - I would never have thought of prison as a venue for intensive language study, (or any other field of study) but you may be on to something. No tuition, free room and board, clothing supplied, no need for textbooks, no exams and no flunking out. Interesting idea.

Well... I will say my husband goes to Germany for 6 weeks at a time to attend language school. This has been going on for several years and it's still a struggle for him. Unless you can submerse yourself (avoid prison as there are other cultural aspects you probably are wise to avoid) you'll never get "the jokes". Trying to get a minimal grasp of German or Italian on the other hand will deepen your experience in-country as they say in the Foreign Service.

Carl, You may find it interesting to read this recent Thread on the topic of language study..... www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/110172/language-travel.html As Roberto mentioned, there are Italian language schools catering to foreigners in many cities and towns in Italy. I've also seen schools in smaller towns like Orvieto and Assisi. Most of them seem to follow a similar curriculum, with an entrance test at the beginning to establish the level of proficiency. I'd suggest choosing either Italy OR Germany, as splitting your time with one week in each may not be worth the effort. Good luck and happy travels!