middCourses
with Thomas Van Order3 days ago

Van Order is the best. This class is very very hard for me, but I genuinely enjoy every day and the class time flies by. Van Order is very passionate and fun and you can tell he really cares about all of his students. Homework can feel very overwhelming, especially the second half of the semester. Weekly tests are hard, but predictable and grading is fair. The class is very fast paced because it is 3 semesters in 1.

Van Order is the best. This class is very very hard for me, but I genuinely enjoy every day and the class time flies by. Van Order is very passionate and fun and you can tell he really cares about all of his students. Homework can feel very overwhelming, especially the second half of the semester. Weekly tests are hard, but predictab …Read more

Fast-PacedLots of HomeworkFair Grading
8hrs / week Extremely difficulty Extremely high value Would take again
with Thomas Van Order19 days ago

Professor Van Order is tough but fair. Obviously super nice guy, but the class is accelerated so you definitely want to keep up. I have taken beginner Spanish and beginner Italian at Middlebury and for freshman considering one or the other, choose Italian. Their department is stacked with funny and engaging professors, and Van Order is no different. He tells a lot of jokes in class that are very rewarding when you understand them. (Bc they're in Italian) Highly recommend to freshman in particular.

Professor Van Order is tough but fair. Obviously super nice guy, but the class is accelerated so you definitely want to keep up. I have taken beginner Spanish and beginner Italian at Middlebury and for freshman considering one or the other, choose Italian. Their department is stacked with funny and engaging professors, and Van Order …Read more

Fast-PacedLots of HomeworkEasy Grading
4hrs / week Very difficulty High value Would take again
with Thomas Van Order2 years ago

"Turbo" is how all language classes should be taught at Middlebury College; 101, 102, and 103 in the same semester is entirely manageable and in fact preferable for those with prior experience in any other romance language. From taking this class, I went from absolute zero to being able to speak Italian with Italians in Italy over the summer. If you are willing to put in the work every day (1hr minimum), you will learn the Italian language in three months and have a good enough base to enter 251 and cruise. If you've ever wanted to learn Italian, this is your ticket.

"Turbo" is how all language classes should be taught at Middlebury College; 101, 102, and 103 in the same semester is entirely manageable and in fact preferable for those with prior experience in any other romance language. From taking this class, I went from absolute zero to being able to speak Italian with Italians in Italy over th …Read more

Fast-PacedLots of HomeworkFair Grading
7hrs / week Very difficulty Extremely high value Would take again
with Ilaria Brancoli Busdraghi2 years ago

I truly loved having Ilaria as my professor. She was so kind and made the material (although very fast-paced) feel doable and organized. Would highly recommend if you want to learn Italian or go abroad!

Fast-PacedFair Grading
7hrs / week Some difficulty Very high value Would take again