UNM/CE Survey / Question 2. What, if anything, did you like most about this program? / Comments

📍”I have been taking Italian classes ( I, II, III and IV) for at least ten years. I have taken Italian I, II and III over and over again because that was all UNM Extension offered. Cristina Baccini is absolutely one of the best if not the best second language instructor. And how do I know? I taught English on the Navajo Reservation for 43 years. I even taught other teachers how to instruct second language learners. Her two-hour classes are filled with Italian conversation among the students, grammar lessons with diagrams, charts, games and student responses to the lessons. Interaction among the students is with partners, in small groups (2-3) and with the entire class. In the small, groups, Cristina pairs students of equal ability and with one acting as a mentor to provide non-threatening guidance. Although I have repeated classes for the past 10-12 years, I still learn something new within each class. I repeat the classes because Cristina is an excellent instructor, and I continue to be challenged and continue to learn.”

2) What, if anything, did you like most about this program?:

1. Cristina Baccine’s enthusiasm for the lessons and the students,
2. Her respect and acknowledgment for the individual ability of the students.
3. Her knowledge of the language and those areas of speaking and grammar which give students the most problems. She addresses the problems and the difficult areas in grammar and speaking to forewarn us of possible obstacles.
4. Our classes are zoom classes and Cristina has included so many different interactive learning, review and practice strategies. We are never neither bored nor overwhelmed.
5. Cristina encourages to speak and write with the best of our abilities. Mistakes tell Cristina that we are trying and lessons evolve at the moment when several are making the same mistake.
6. I will eagerly enroll in any class she offers, even Italian I.
7. I am in awe of her language teaching strategies.”
   • (S.B., Retired English as Second Language Teacher Retired Dine College in English Writing, literature and Speech Instructor)

📍”The enthusiasm of the instructor. It takes a lot of energy to keep a Zoom class moving along and Cristina is an expert!!” (O., Retired)

📍”Cristina is an amazing teacher and the course was awesome! We learnt a lot in this lessons. / 2) The interaction between the teacher and the students and also between classmates.” (N/A)

📍”Cristina Baccin is an EXCELLENT teacher. She puts a lot of effort into the class, makes it fun and creates online learning tools for student to do between classes to reinforce what we learned. This is my third class with her and look forward to taking the next level when it is offered.

2) What, if anything, did you like most about this program? Very enthusiastic instructor, patient, material is presented in a well organized manner. At the beginning of each class, she tell what we will be doing, and we accomplish the lesson plan. Well organized with time allotment.” (L.P., UNM Retiree)

📍”In previous classes, we were able to share contact information with other students if desired. Then we met online or in person to continue to practice.

2. What, if anything, did you like most about this program? Practical topics such as travel vocabulary, polite interactions, asking questions.” (R.A. / Industry: Higher Ed)