Eurocentres is a Swiss Foundation which was established in 1948 to help people to learn easily how to communicate in different languages. At present Eurocentres teaches in 18 locations around Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. About 13'000 students annually study one of the world's most important languages at Eurocentres: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian or Japanese.

Over 40 successful years of first class language teaching

1948 - The first Eurocentres school is established.
Mr. Erhard Waespi opens his first foreign language school in Bournemouth. More are to follow.
1959 - Migros takes over.
Gottlieb Duttweiler, founder of the Migros Cooperative, meets Erhard Waespi and agrees to cooperate in the field of international cultural exchange.
1960 - The school becomes a Foundation.
Mr. Gottlieb Duttweiler creates the Foundation of «European Languages and Development Centres». Eurocentres evolves into a standard-bearer.
1960 to 1993 - Eurocentres grows and sets standards.
Eurocentres schools are founded in locations throughout the world. Eurocentres establishes itself as a trendsetter in the field of foreign language learning and lends valuable impetus to the entire organisation.
2003 - Quality proves itself as the key criterion for worldwide success

Dedicated to quality, not profit.

The Swiss Eurocentres Foundation has been a consultant to the Council of Europe for language learning since 1968 and has played a crucial role in the development of the Common European Framework of Reference for language teaching and learning.
As a Foundation Eurocentres has since 1960 provided top quality language teaching and aims to contribute towards a better understanding among people everywhere by helping to bridge national, cultural and social barriers.

Guaranteed Quality!

Quality is our primary concern, and we tell you exactly what you can expect from us.

Learning success thanks to innovative course programmes
Careful selection and regular checks of host families
Two to three qualified teachers per class
Small classes (from 6 to 13 participants)
Accurate placement within individual classes as a result of spoken and written placement tests
First class school buildings in a Renaissance Palace
Quality control through regular internal checks, plus regular inspection from the international quality organization EAQUALS

The School in Florence

The Eurocentres school, the oldest state-recognized school of foreign languages in Florence, can be found in Palazzo Guadagni, a Renaissance palace dating from the 16th century, and is located in the middle of the old town centre near the Ponte Vecchio. The historic school building, renovated in 1992, has eleven classrooms, a multimedia learning centre, a lecture room and a student lounge and is in a quaint Italian quarter.

The school is in the centre of the oldest part of Florence, 300 m from the Pitti Palace, 500 m from the Ponte Vecchio and about 15 minutes' walk from the cathedral (il Duomo) and from the railway station. There is a bus stop 200 m from the school and practically all buses stop at the cathedral.

The building is the work of the architect Cronaca and was built between 1502 and 1508. In the 1860's, it was extensively improved by the architect Poggi with the addition of beautiful frescoes. The school was completely renovated, taking care to enhance the original features but also making use of the best of modern Italian design to produce a stunning mix of new and old.

Our motto is:
Your study objective is of paramount importance

Our mission is to set you on the path of successful learning. We create a learning environment which leads you to your personal study objective and offers you a quality learning experience. Our methods are tried and tested and new teaching methodologies and the latest technical facilities are used by Eurocentres wherever possible. Moreover, we employ only teachers with the highest standard of education who teach exclusively in their mother tongue.
We place great emphasis on close consultation, which ensures that you select the most suitable course based on your personal requirements. We collaborate exclusively with representatives who can guarantee excellent and comprehensive advice.
 
 Our programmes are structured in such a way that you will quickly absorb the culture and get to know the people of your host country. The international nature of our schools, with students from many countries of the world, offers opportunities for enriching intercultural encounters.

Methodology

The teaching of real language for a real purpose in an action-oriented approach is at the heart of Eurocentres methodology.
We teach the language you need to communicate in real life. You do exercises to improve your fluency and your accuracy. And then we provide activities which require real communication. We pay very careful attention to the degrees of control in the practice leading from initial presentation of new language towards realistic communicative use of that language. Working in the other direction, we use communicative activities to identify your need for practice in accuracy or in fluency.
 

Basic Course (20 lessons per week)
Eurocentres Levels 0 to 9. Have your classes in the morning in order to organise your own programme in the afternoon.

Specialised Intensive (25 lessons/week)
Learn the language at an accelerated pace with a programme of optimum intensity, which still leaves you some afternoons free. Eurocentres Levels 0 to 9.

Survival Italian (15 lessons/week)
The ideal course for travellers who want to make their way in Italy.

Individual Courses
Upon request. 50 EUR per hour. A module consists of five individual 50 minute lessons per week, and it is attractively priced; 5 lessons for the price of 4 (Eur 200). The module can be booked in addition to all courses or separately.

Students can integrate their course with the Learning Centre activities.

Academic Year /Semester Programmes
(20 or 25 lessons/week)
Courses are based on a standard year of four terms.
The following start dates are available to students of all levels:
7 January, 4 Feruary, 31 March, 30 June, 28 July, 22 September, 20 October

Teacher Refresher Course (25 lessons/week)
2 weeks. Eurocentres Levels 7-10. 14 July 2008.
Are you a language teacher looking for new teaching ideas? Eurocentres is in the forefront of the development of the communicative methodologies and learner centred approaches. Come and benefit from our know-how.

CELI Examination Preparation
Extra if sufficient interest. Eurocentres Florence offers preparation courses for the CELI (Certificato di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana - Università di Perugia) examinations.
1 Mar 2008: CELI 1, CELI 2, CELI 3
23 Jun 2008: CELI 1, CELI 2, CELI 3, CELI 4, CELI 5
30 Jun 2008: CIC Intermediate and Advanced
10 Nov 2008: CELI 1, CELI 2, CELI 3, CELI 4, CELI 5

Art History (5 lessons/week)
4-12 weeks, or more.
Learn the language and enjoy the Art History lessons and the guided visits to the Renaissance art places of Florence. Eurocentres Levels: 3 to 9.
Euro 70 per week.

Drawing and Painting (5 lessons/week)
4-12 weeks, or more.
Students learn the basic techniques of drawing and painting including free-hand drawing, chiaroscuro, pencil drawing, wash drawing. Depending on level the course will cover: copies of famous masterpieces, life-size drawing/painting (still-life). Eurocentres Levels: 3 to 9. (See Drawing and Painting Course programme).
Euro 70 per week.

Fashion Design (5 lessons/week)
4-12 weeks.
In the morning you learn the language and in the afternoon you discover the secrets of Italian fashion design. Eurocentres Levels: 3 to 9. (See Fashion Design Course programme).
Euro 70 per week.

Cucina Italiana (6 lessons/week)
4-8 weeks.
A program combining morning language instruction with afternoon culinary and cultural activities. Eurocentres Levels: 3 to 9.
Euro 70 per week.

Catering (6 lessons/week)
4-12 weeks, or more.
Lessons for anyone who is interested in learning the key skills for mastering Italian cooking. According to the course length, students will acquire the technical and theoretical knowledge to be able to work in the catering sector.
Maximum 6 students per class. Eurocentres Levels: 3 to 9.
Euro 225 per week.

Prices and Dates