The Peer Mentoring Scheme in Italian Studies

Elena Polisca

elena.polisca@manchester.ac.uk

Some Background

• The scheme started in 2002 as a retention aid (crucial for small disciplines!)

• Mixed reactions from mentors and mentees alike

• Scheme goes live through WebCT in August 2004 in order to address a pre-retention issue; (summer ‘homework’, welcome letter)

• Positive feedback and improved mentors/mentees relationship

MentorIT

Aims and Objectives

Information: Mentors Groups (1)

Example of Group (top of page)

Example of Group (bottom of page)

Information: Mentors Group (2)

Discussions: Chat to Your Mentors!

Help: Frequently Asked Questions

Help: Frequently Asked Questions (Academic)

Help: Frequently Asked Questions (Social)

Important Dates: Calendar

Calendar: Example of Important Date

Resources: Useful Web Links

Back to MentorIT Main Page

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Letter for new entrants

A DOZEN QUESTIONS ON ITALY UNA DOZZINA DI DOMANDE SULL’ITALIA

1) What are the colours of the Italian flag? Red blue orange yellow green white black 2) Which colour hangs next to the flag pole? 3) What is the name of the Italian prime minister? Prodi Amato Berlusconi D’Alema Ciampi 4) What is Forza Italia? The Italian SAS A political party A football slogan 5) When did Rome become part of the Italian state? 1815 1848 1860 1870 1918 1948 6) How many times has Italy won the football world cup? Never twice three four six ten 7) Can you name five Italian fashion designer brands? 8) What opera(s) did Giuseppe Verdi write? Madame Butterfly Rigoletto William Tell Aida Carmen Turandot 9) Spot the odd one out: ciao manifesto paparazzi inferno paella al dente 10) Can you write at least 6 (or more) Italian words you already know? (Think about food and drinks for a start!) 11) Who was Garibaldi? An Italian 19C patriot the name of a biscuit maker an Italian explorer 12) Approximately how much are one hundred euros worth? £25 £50 £70 £100 £230 £1,200

A dozen questions on Italy

A WORD FROM YOUR ITALIAN LANGUAGE TUTOR Dear All, First of all, many congratulations on being accepted at the University of Manchester! Before you get started here, we have prepared a couple of tasks for you to do over the last few summer weeks. All you need to do is answer a few questions on Italian culture and perhaps do a bit of research on the Internet (or if you have an atlas handy, even better!) to get to grips with some basic information on Italy. When you arrive to Manchester, you will have the chance to talk to your mentors should you have any doubts about any of the questions, before both sheets will be discussed during the classes. For any queries, do not hesitate to contact your peer mentors at http://webct.man.ac.uk Best wishes ELENA POLISCA ITALIAN LANGUAGE TUTOR

A word from your Italian language tutor

In the future…

• Improve website (videomessages)• Increase website usage by

prospective students (over 20%)• Recruit a student intern• Support more “academic-

orientated” events (modules advice etc.)

• Make the students more responsible for the scheme overall