WHEN retired soldier Peter Smith read that learning a new language could help stave off dementia, he didn’t hesitate to sign up for a class in Italian conversation.
Peter, aged 69, had already gained a grasp of German after serving in the British Army for 30 years and being based in Germany. And, after reading that scientists are now convinced that learning a language can help people avoid developing dementia in later life, he went along to Biddulph High School to sign up for a Buxton & Leek College leisure course.
After just a few weeks of learning alongside his ten fellow students with tutor Adela Moldovan, Peter, who lives in Leek, has gained the confidence to hold a simple conversation with his Italian friends, read menus in Italian restaurants and pronounce the dishes correctly when the time comes to order. What’s more, he said: “I am really enjoying getting out of the house and meeting new people.”
Peter’s course runs on Tuesday evenings from 7pm until 9pm at Biddulph High School. The course is new to Biddulph this year as the Moorlands town celebrates its 30th anniversary of being twinned with Fusignano in North East Italy. And the same course will be running at the Leek Campus of the College, in Stockwell Street, between 7 and 9pm each Wednesday.
Other `learning for leisure` opportunities at the Biddulph High School include the very popular Digital Photography For Beginners on Tuesday evenings and Further Photography, Floristry and Italian which are programmed to run after Easter.
For further information on any of these courses or for suggestions for other subjects please ring Gill Roberts on 07811379888. The college is currently looking for new tutors interested in teaching leisure courses based in the Biddulph area. Anyone interested who has a basic teaching qualification should contact either Gill or Sue Baker, the College’s Community Learning Coordinator at Leek Campus on 08000 0740099.
Anyone interested in booking onto Learning for Leisure course can do so at the College’s next Saturday Open Day on March 11 from 10am to 2pm at the Leek and Buxton campuses.