Having always thought that the word 'testimonial' must either be taken in a religious context, or could in legal terminology mean something like the 'testimony' of a witness, I certainly never thought that one day I'd find myself writing one. And yet here I am. I'd like to first of all emphasise the fact that I am writing these lines voluntarily, purely out of a wish to communicate my satisfaction with the courses I attended, and of course nothing to do with my teachers' allusions that I might fail my exams...

Point one: why I decided to learn English

In my previous life (before my recent encounter with the English language) I always prided myself on being an Italian language 'purist' and a passionate admirer of French. This meant that I avoided all contact with Anglosaxon language and culture. I even spurned English literature although I was aware this could be a grave omission.

When I was studying at university my attitude began to change, since my natural curiosity for global issues (read: foolhardiness) had led me to choose internationally orientated subjects.

I still thought, however, that I could get away with not reading the foreign press, or studying literature in its original language, or communicating directly with barbaroi (Greek term meaning 'foreigners'). In fact, while my objective was to connect with the rest of the world - other students, professors, and people in general (an objective which must be common to everybody who wishes to achieve something new in their work), I hadn't made the effort to acquire the essential tools for doing it, and this made the going tough.

Language is an essential tool; it is the means by which ideas gain substance. It took two events to completely convince me of this.

The first was an observation made by one academic to another which I overheard at a conference (otherwise characterised by deathly boredom and the effort of keeping my eyelids open). He said "Well, it's certainly true that when the Emperor Augustus, and the intellectuals and students of his age had anything important to say or to do, they would speak and write in Greek... and today our Greek is English". This overturned common perceptions (including my own) which label English as the language of shop assistants on Via del Corso and life guards in Emilia Romagna.

The second was becoming aware of what a fool I was making of myself whenever I came into contact with the foreigners I would meet as a student. I remember one evening in particular, when a gorgeous girl was trying in every way to make me go beyond telling her my name and nationality. She didn't succeed (more fool me).

During my last year at university, I finally decided to take control of my life and enter the real world, by acquiring the necessary tools to do this.

Point two: what I got out of it

Well, dear readers, I only need to tell you one thing: I started off from level zero (I enrolled on the beginners' course) and now, in the space of a year, I think I can safely say that I am no longer the fool of a year ago, and can read newspapers in English (not only looking at the pictures), and I have written a summary of my thesis in English, which was necessary to apply for a Masters in a British university. So in all probability (I still don't have official confirmation, but the bookmakers would give me good odds) soon I'll be spending a year studying in England. I've met lots of wonderful people who I otherwise wouldn't have known (Scots, Americans, Australians and dulcis in fundo, English people), and my holidays this year are all going to be in English-speaking countries (Scotland and the USA).

Among all the subjects I have studied (and there have been a great many), the one I've enjoyed most of all is English. I think this is partly due to the teaching methods used, which are enjoyable and stimulating, and at the same time give priority to the learning process. I also give the teachers a lot of credit, for being attentive and thorough, besides being highly qualified in their field (phew, I should pass that exam now...). I would like to thank and say hello to Arwen and Georgina, who are two pillars (in a purely metaphorical sense of course, given their slender feminine silhouettes) of the BC. My enjoyment of the course was also thanks to my classmates (who I won't describe at length since I get nothing out of it). And the librarians... okay, lets not overdo it...

Well, all in all, having lots of fun and at the same time mastering a language which will prove to be an essential tool in the future isn't so bad.

If you do a course at the British Council, I just hope you won't end up in a class with my teachers, since my possessive instinct towards them might mean some nasty repercussions for you... (my Southern Italian origins are coming through now!)

Finally I feel I must add that the guy in the photo is me, but before doing my English course (1st-2nd level), and now, because of all the slaps I've received from English girls during those 'international evenings', my face is a little changed.

It's a side-effect of learning English that people should be warned about - that it brings out the latent 'life guard from Emilia Romagna' which we each have inside us.