Replies

1. 
   ted | Nov 22, 2009 02:14am | #1

   Part of the fun of woodworking classes and seminars is having a group. For myself I tend to gravitate more towards group instruction, gives more insight into what others are doing. Just my 2 cents.

2. 
   9619 | Nov 22, 2009 02:40am | #2

   Bolo,
   Ho visto il tuo sito web. Ora, comprendo perche parli bene l'italiano. :-)
   Buona fortuna. La tua "scuola weekend" e' un buon idea.

   A presto,
   Mel (o in italiano "Melvino" Ha ha ha ha)

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Nov 22, 2009 05:39am | #3

   Mel,

   I have lost most of my hearing and find it embarrassing to ask but would you repeat that again - very slowly?

1. 
   9619 | Nov 22, 2009 06:57am | #4

   Tink,
   You asked what my message to the Original Poster meant. Here is the message:Bolo,
   Ho visto il tuo sito web. Ora, comprendo perche parli bene l'italiano. :-)
   Buona fortuna. La tua "scuola weekend" e' un buon idea.A presto,
   Mel (o in italiano "Melvino" Ha ha ha ha)
   -------Well, it turns out that Citrouille is Italian, and a fantastic furniture designer and maker. I speak a little Italian, and I make an enormous number of errors in doing so. But that doesn't stop me from trying (Same with woodwork. :-) His nickname in real life is Bolo. SO here is the translation (or at least, what I meant).Bolo,
   I have seen your website. Now, I know why you speak Italian so well. Good luck. Your "Weekend school" is a good idea.
   Til we talk again soon,
   Mel (or in Italian "Melvino" Ha ha ha ha!It was just my way of having a little fun and letting Citrouille (Bolo) know that I took the time to read his website, and that I was willing to try to say something in Italian. I didn't use a dictionary or a grammar book, and any speaker of Italian would notice that immediately. Have fun.
   MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot. 

1. 
   davcefai | Nov 22, 2009 09:03am | #5

   Mel, I have to disagree with your post. The Italian happens to be quite OK. The only thing "wrong" is that an Italian would have phrased it a little differently.Possibly on the lines of "Avendo visto il tuo....." (having seen your....)Saluti,Davide.PS: Interestingly, although I always introduce myself as Davide, most Italians will call me David!.

1. 
   9619 | Nov 22, 2009 03:34pm | #6

   Davide,
   molto grazie. Avendo visto la tua risposta, posso parlare bene l'italiano. I miei nonni erano italiani - da Piemonte e da Bari. However, when I was a child, I did not choose to learn to speak their language. As an adult, I became interested in genealogy, and I needed to translate documents. So I have gotten good at translating documents from Italian into English. However, I don't have anyone to converse with, and my speaking/writing skills are lacking. I have had no courses in Italian.I have tried to get my kids, now grown to learn a second language. I failed miserably. Now I have grandchildren. The oldest is almost two. I spend a lot of time with him. He can speak a little Italian (ciao), Spanish (Hola), French (Buon jour) and Portugese (Oy). Thanks for the help with my Italian.
   MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot. 

3. 
   PlaneLynn | Nov 22, 2009 05:20pm | #7

   Too bad I've moved far from MA or I'd be calling. Your idea is a good one. Best of luck. I've done both. Took classes at North Bennet St. and then worked with a local professional who helped me execute a project a bit complicated to go alone.

   Both methods have plusses. I agree the group classes are fun, seeing what others do. Especially at the beginner level where I came in, group classes were organized well to cover safety along with developing the foundation skills. They were even better for seeing that we all mostly make a mistake here and there and nobody dies. (Learning to fix mistakes is a key skill, no?)

   But single classes are more efficient at spending time just on the bits where you need help. Be sure to tell your students of this benefit. When I worked in solo lessons, I learned how to draft original design ideas better, model and test the design, improved my tool sharpening skills and learned to do larger glue-ups. It would be hard to find that mix in a weekend class working on a piece of furniture of your own choice. Group classes don't allow room for modeling a new design, changing and perfecting it before cutting the good wood. That's a big plus for solo lessons for the student who wants to get beyond following only the plans someone else has published. Another benefit to sell to prospective students: they allow more room for creativity in class.

   Solo classes were expensive per hour, but more economical, too, because I went for just for as much instruction as I needed. I found in larger group classes, there was a lot of downtime for me as I worked faster than many students. Hope your classes go well.

   
   

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   Edited 11/22/2009 9:27 am ET by PlaneLynn