Elena Ferrante
IMPORTANT: Please note that this is an in-person course and will take place in our college in covent Garden. However, please note that City Lit reserves the right to change the mode of delivery to online subject to government guidance.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This seminar is a short introduction to the author Elena Ferrante and her (his?) work. Elena Ferrante, one of the most important and most famous Italian writers of the 21st century, has managed to keep her identity secret. This lecture will look at her series of Neapolitan novels which started with L'amica geniale (My Brilliant Friend) and examine some of the themes that run through them, as well as looking at the city of Naples.
What will we cover?
- The plots, themes and language of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels.
- Naples from the fifties to the present day.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- have a better appreciation of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels.
- understand a bit more about the novels' Neapolitan setting.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This lecture will be conducted in Italian and is therefore aimed at those of you with an advanced level of the language. It is suitable if you are attending Italian 4 or 5 at Citylit or have an equivalent level.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is a lecture and is therefore tutor-led. Facts will be presented through the use of video clips, presentations, hand-outs etc.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other cost. Students will just need to bring a pen and paper.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This is a one-off seminar, but learners are encouraged to look at other seminars offered by our team of Italian lecturers.
Ciao! My name is Veronica De Felice and I come from Southern Italy. I was born in Pompei ("not in the ruins", a joke I always make with my students) and I have always been fond of languages. Indeed, I studied languages at secondary school (English, Spanish, French and Latin) and I graduated at the University of Naples, l'Orientale, with a BA (Hon) in Modern Foreign Languages. I moved to London in 2002 and, after three years, I gained a CLTA qualification at Goldsmith University, and a few years later a level 5 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector. In 2006, I started working as an Italian tutor in various colleges and universities, such as Goldsmith College, the University of Arts, Croydon College, University of Wesminster, City University and City Lit since 2010. At the moment, I am also teaching A level italian at LAE Tottenham, and the IB diploma in an international school in central London. I believe that studying and speaking another language expands your personal and communication skills, and makes you see the world from a different perspective. For me, learning a language is about challenging yourself, getting out of your comfort zone and having fun!
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
