Anna-Lisa Detassis: Five things I'd change about Guernsey

Friday 08 June 2018

Italian teacher Anna Lisa Detassis lives and works in Guernsey where she is the director of Accent Language School.

Born in Italy, Anna Lisa has worked for more than 20 years in multinational companies in Germany, Kazakhstan, the United States and Russia. After completing her studies in Milan, she moved to New York where she began her working life and then, after traveling half way around the world, she landed in Guernsey in 2008 where she began working in the financial industry.

Always looking for new challenges, and being passionate about languages (she speaks six fluently!) she decided to buy Accent Language School, which she has been running since 2014.

She loves the outdoors and spends time with her husband and three children enjoying Guernsey to the fullest - but still had some ideas which could improve island life: 

1) Transport links

Ms Detassis thinks that Guernsey needs a bigger airport.

She said this would enable more direct flights to the island from other countries, which would be good for tourism and the wider economy as other businesses would also benefit. 

Pictured: Guernsey Airport

2) Bilingual schools 

Through her work running Accent Language School, Ms Detassis helps children and adults alike meet their aims of learning different languages.

However, she thinks French should be taught from nursery in all States run and private schools.

"It should be compulsory really, as it is so easy to do on an island so small and so close to France," she told Express.

Pictured: Students on a visit organised by Accent Language School

3) Recycling

Guernsey needs a better recycling scheme according to Ms Detassis.

She thinks everyone should recycle and everything should be recycled, which she thinks should include all plastics, films, metal, and wet food too.

"Guernsey shops should give out recycling organic bags on a free for all basis, while the States of Guernsey should collect recycling from everywhere with more collection points for those who don’t have a car."

4) Things for young people to do

Ms Detassis would like Guernsey to address that long running problem for young people who say they have nothing to do. She told Express that Guernsey needs more places for young adults to hang out. She said there is nothing for those aged 11 -17, who are at an age where they need to socialise.

In Guernsey, she said there is either the pub or disco where they can’t go or they hang out on the street. She said there is one cinema in the middle of nowhere or Beau Sejour, which is not the answer.

She said, "what about ice cream parlours or more pizzeria Italian style? They are so affordable."

5) Cycling infrastructure..and smaller buses

Guernsey's cycling infrastructure could be improved, according to Ms Detassis. She would like to see "more cycling paths, wherever possible."

She raised concerns about some of the island's "two way, incredibly narrow streets, with no pavement for pedestrians, who are risking their life every day." With that in mind, she would also like to see more small buses, "like in some big cities. So more buses but smaller and more frequent so they can serve the island better."

Pictured: A Guernsey bus

Accent Language School offers a number of courses and is also looking for host families for guest students.

If you are interested, there is more information on the Accent website here. 

Pictured: Students hosted by Accent Language School