<< BACK
The Group Leader
Salvatore Della Cioppa, founder and director of Immersion Abroad, was born in Italy. 
At a young age he moved to France, where he attended the French school system until the age of 14. His family moved to the United States, where Sal continued his education in the Cambridge School System. After graduation, he attended the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where he received his BA in French. After spending two years in the military and serving in Vietnam, he continued his education in the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and acquired his MA in French Literature. While teaching in the Westboro Schools, he attended Worcester State College and earned his Master of Education in Spanish.
Salvatore has taught French and Spanish in the Westboro Public Schools for the last 30 years, and has been coordinator of the Foreign Language Department for the last 20 years. His teaching has encompassed all ages, from summer programs for elementary school children to college courses at Framingham State College and Lasell College.
In addition to his teaching, Sal has traveled extensively throughout Europe, as well as North and Central America. Through Immersion Abroad, he offers the same opportunity to high school and college students, teachers, parents, and other interested adults. Being fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian has enabled him to investigate very closely the programs of the schools he uses and to work personally with the directors, with whom he has become very good friends. Going through both programs personally has provided him with the experience and insight required to evaluate and choose the best schools available. The schools chosen to provide instruction and host families are Actilangue in Nice, France and Colegio Delibes in Salamanca, Spain.
Sal is married, with two children, both of whom have participated in his program with a great deal of success and enjoyment. His son, David, is now involved in the running of the program and accompanies the groups on a yearly basis.
The philosophy behind Immersion Abroad is the belief that languages can only be truly spoken fluently when practiced in real-life situations and for most students this approach works best. The opportunity to improve oral proficiency is what Immersion Abroad provides to every participant. But to be fluent in the language is only one of the benefits of the program. Getting to know the people, the culture, and living the everyday life provides an unforgettable and rewarding life experience.
