I would highly recommend the course to anyone interested in starting or expanding their Italian language skills and looking to spend time in Italy. Juliana's knowledge and patience in teaching is indeed creative and professional, making the learning process very comfortable. You will find your confidence and understanding improving from lesson to lesson ~ Anthony B.

After seeing the Fra Amici course advertised in the West Australian and researching the course via the web site www.italiancourses.com.au, it was a simple step of contacting Juliana and organising a time and evening to commence the course. There are obviously different levels ranging from beginners to advanced and it will not take long to realise what level best suits your ability.

Booking in for a 12 session course which would incorporate both the Fra Amici and Fra Amici 2 courses (starting with beginners 3 level then moving rapidly to an intermediate level) I found from the start, the lessons to be very accommodating, set in a relaxed, hospitable and comfortable environment.

I have to admit, initially, the information and layout of the course outline seemed slightly overwhelming (even with a background in the Italian language), however once you get into the course it soon becomes apparent how well-organised and structured it is to follow and use. Juliana has spent an incredible amount of time and effort in presenting the Fra Amici course that you will never be short of exercises and material to read and study (PDF files and audio).

As one of the most important ways to learn to speak Italian is to actually speak Italian, there is ample time during each lesson to converse with fellow group members as you order (in Italian) from Juliana's famous drinks menu at 'la pausa,' a very enjoyable time of the session.

In addition to the Fra Amici 2 course is the Quick Access Phrase Book (Italian To Go, Complete Express). The pocket size phrase book is packed full of useful information ranging from everyday language, money, food, transport, accommodation and emergency expressions, all the necessary information to make your trip to Italy even more enjoyable. The colour coded index is particularly useful and user-friendly.

I would recommend Fra Amici 2 to any adult learner who is serious about learning Italian but who wants to have serious fun along the way ~ Yvonne M.

The decision to sign up for Fra Amici 2 was a relatively easy one for me.  I had already completed the Fra Amici Beginners Italian Course for Students and Travellers and knew what to expect.  What I learned from the first course was sufficient to have me communicating in basic travellers’ Italian during a trip to Sicily in 2010.  But now I wanted more.  Now I wanted to really learn to speak Italian.  I knew that Fra Amici 2 would give me more of what I wanted from a language course and I was not disappointed.  These are some of my favourite features:

• Its comprehensive coverage.  Almost everything you’d ever want to know in Italian is covered.  A substantial Vocabulary Guide arranged into themes, includes topics as diverse as The Environment and Climate Change and the vocab of email and chat rooms.
• The sheer volume of content is daunting but the materials are well organised. Consistent numbering systems and use of colour text and layout helps to guide you to the sections you want.
• I love the scenes from real life in the Communication Modules.  With audio recordings using a variety of native speakers, the interactions between people  are contemporary and relevant. You can see yourself going shopping, hiring a car or visiting a doctor.
• Fra Amici 2 is not a dry course.  There is humour in the written scenes from life and in the witty and charming cartoon illustrations.  Characters are well drawn and we come to know their aspirations and idiosyncrasies. Who doesn’t want to know more about Il Signor James Vitale, the Australian businessman still searching for his donna ideale?  or the lives of Luigi Parini, his wife, Anna and bambino, Pierino?  Will the young honeymooners’ marriage last?  And is that crazy taxi driver still ranting at everyone on the street?
• The fictional scenarios are fun but what really sets Fra Amici 2 apart, and is perhaps my favourite feature, is the inclusion of audio and transcribed interviews conducted by Juliana with authentic native speakers of Italian, both in Italy and here in Australia.  The interviews cover a variety of topics of interest, including food, sport, differences between Australia and Italy, family, work, fashion and the lives of young Italians.  Speakers give their opinions on issues such as whether fashion has a negative or positive impact on young women and the importance of the “Made in Italy” label.  The comprehension exercises and other suggested activities based on the interviews hold genuine interest and instil confidence that one is building relevant language skills and vocabulary.
• Cultural, travel and tourism “extras” really enhance Fra Amici 2.  Most of us want to go to Italy and Juliana’s thoughtful inclusion of photos, maps and authentic (up to date) documents really appeals.  How reassuring to be able to study a ticket or timetable for the train from Genova to La Spezia and know that when we get to Italy we will be able to understand it.  When you’re feeling tired and lazy, you can always look at the pictures and dream of future travels.
•  Grammar is explained simply and clearly with lots of examples given to demonstrate the rule or pattern.  Juliana uses colour-coding to highlight the patterns on the page, e.g. red for feminine, blue for masculine and green for masculine/feminine; and signature colours for 1st,  2ndand 3rd persons.  The introduction of memory aids is very helpful; for example, using the letter Q to illustrate uses of the Perfect and Imperfect Tenses (as on page 2 of Guida Alla Grammatica G13-2).  That Q always come to mind now.
• Flexibility.  Sometimes as adults with busy lives we get sidetracked and the luxury of spending time learning a language eludes us.  This course can cope with that.  It allows you to go at your own pace and, if you have to drop it for a while, to pick up where you left off, or revisit earlier sections until confidence returns.  I missed the first three weeks of the course and on my return knew exactly what I had missed and where to find it.
• Though ideal for the independent learner, Fra Amici 2 also caters really well for teachers to use with classes of Years 11 and 12.  Juliana has made sure contents are relevant and appealing to teenagers, for example by including topics such as study, fashion and dating.  In my Fra Amici 2 class, ages range from 15/16 years of age to our oldest classmate who is 82.
•  Fra Amici 2 is packed with worksheets and activities. I like being able to really practice a point of learning and to test myself.  Worksheets are thoughtfully provided in WORD so you don’t have to print them out to complete them unless you want to.
• Value for money.  Fra Amici 2 is not a cheap product but it is great value for money.  Juliana has made it a labour of love and we benefit – no commercial publisher would produce materials of this quality at these prices.

I've had a wonderful experience. Grazie mille, Juliana ~ Margaret M.

Juliana Pupazzoni Burman has invested a huge amount of time and effort in designing a course using a functional/situational approach to language learning which particularly equips travellers to Italy with the vital language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing needed when travelling ~ Eleanor K.

The Fra Amici Intermediate/Advanced Course was a most enjoyable and valuable learning experience for me.

Included with materials provided in the course is a very useful  travel language conversation guide called the ‘Quick Access Phrasebook’ which provides key sentence structures and important vocabulary in a variety of everyday situations.  A unique feature of this phrasebook is the colour coding used for quick access both to the topics and their relevant language as well as a pronunciation guide.  Although the colour coding is valuable in both the areas mentioned, it is particularly valuable in the section on pronunciation to help students recall the correct use of the often confusing pronunciation of Italian consonants according to the vowel which follows.

In addition to language learning for travellers, the section of the course material providing extensive grammatical content with accompanying exercises makes it an excellent way to learn the Italian language no matter what a student’s motivation may be.

A further positive aspect of this course was its delivery in very relaxed circumstances in the teacher’s own home with a half-time break for coffee and delicious Italian cakes, giving the students a wonderful conversational opportunity to practise what they had learnt. 

Juliana, grazie! I really enjoyed learning Italian "amongst friends", in particular, your personal touch made the course very special ~ Ariane G.

Juliana, many thanks for running such interesting and enjoyable classes ~ Linda G.

Laughter and a lovely teacher. I'm glad I was a part of this class ~ Victoria, Leederville

Lots of fun - I'll certainly have a try at using a little Italian on holidays! ~ Julie D.

Many thanks for a fantastic course. Great fun. Jim H ~ Beginners 1 & 2 courses

Mille grazie signora per sei lezioni informative. Has moved me to the next level of Italian. Exactly what I wanted. Buona fortuna ~ Kevin W.