The Courses

• Standard Courses - (S2, S3, S4)
4 hours a day (more than 3 students) / 3 hours a day (less than 4 students), from Monday to Friday, for a minimum of 2 weeks. Grammar and conversation lessons. In about six months time the student will complete the programme, which enable one to face the most varied communication functions.

• Intensive Courses - (I2, I3, I4)
Standard Course + 2 hours of individual lesson a day

• Extensive Courses - (E2, E3)
2 hours a day twice a week (E2) or three times a week (E3) for a minimum of 8 weeks (morning or evening).

• Individual Lessons - (I)
It is possible to begin the lessons any day of the year. Classes can also be held in other locations. Personalised courses are offered to companies and embassies. The course schedules are established with the secretary's office. (10% discount on 30 lessons booked and paid in advance). Preparatory lessons for (FOR C.I.L.S EXAM (Università per Stranieri di Siena) – IT (Università di Roma Tre).

• Conversation Courses (C.C.)
Upon request of minimum 4 students. 2/4 hours per week. Lessons are held on Saturday morning or one afternoon a week. Current events, Italian culture and lifestyle or other topics of interest will be examined during the lessons.

• Special Courses (S.C.)
At the request of at least 4 students, 16 hours a month. The supplementary cultural seminars are offered in the afternoon. A good knowledge of the Italian language is requested:
- Italian Art history (including guided tours in Rome)
- Italian for business (specific business terminology, commercial correspondence, contracts etc.)
- Italian Literature

• Italian Opera singing and music
Individual or mini-groups lessons including breathing technique and voice exercises, singing practice using excerpts from famous Italian operas. Prices and schedule can be obtained from the secretary’s office.

• Cooking Courses (not professional)
Lessons are held in a typical Roman restaurant (trattoria), 3/4 hours of theory/practice (with a professional cook) in private residence with Italian mother tongue teachers. Typical recips, terminology and idioms are used in the kitchen for conversation and eating together. Small groups, (one Sunday per month), upon reservation. For information on prices and schedule ask to the Secretary’s Office.

• Vacation Courses in Tuscany -CETONA
A delightful medieval village in the countryside of Siena. Intensive one-to-one or group week-end courses, in days to be agreed. Further information available in the secretary office. Painting coruses. Beginners and Advanced Courses.

• CLASSES
The students will study in small groups of 3/12 people of different nationalities with similar language levels. The small size of the classes guarantees individual attention as well as high quality of teaching.

THE SCHOOL

Founded in 1977, we have years of experience and specialise in teaching Italian in Italy
All the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci schools are located in the city center
Professional and young teachers all of whom have studied at the University level and who have been specially trained in teaching Italian to foreigners
Members of ASILS (Associaton of language schools of Italian as a second foreign language)
Italian at every level, all year round, Small study groups
Courses start every 2 weeks (including beginners)
After 3 or 6 months the AIL-exam "Firenze" (Accademia Italiana di Lingua) DELI/DILI/DALI/DALC can be taken
A whole range of activities offered for students to gain insight into the Italian culture
Variety of students from over 50 countries study at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci schools
Friendly and helpful staff that give personal attention to each student
Equipped for handicapped students

TEACHING METHOD

Our Teaching method takes full account of modern didactics and is oriented towards the "Foreign Language Concept of the Council of Europe" and the "Guidelines of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL)".

The Leonardo da Vinci schools teach according to the Direct Method: from the first day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken.

We emphasize the spoken language and live language. Continually stressing the use of verbal communication permits you to learn Italian "naturally", to unite theory and practice easily and to increase your knowledge quickly and with confidence. The structure of the language and its practical application is very important. Advanced courses also practice the written language.

Our teaching staff consists of young teams of experienced language teachers, all of whom studied at University and who have been specially trained in teaching Italian to foreigners.

Most of the teaching material has been developed by our schools and is excellently suited to the needs and requirements of the students. Thanks to a permanent work group the didactic material is continuously updated and adapted to the newest research on teaching languages to foreigners.

But learning Italian does not consist, for us at the Leonardo da Vinci schools, in just teaching grammar and vocabulary. We want to allow our students to gain insight into the Italian way of living and thinking. That is why we offer, in addition to the language courses, a whole range of italian culture extracurricular activities for our students.


FIRST SCHOOL DAY

On the first school day there is an entry test (written and oral), testing the student's knowledge of the Italian language.
Beginners will join a pilot course which is aimed to divide complete beginners from students with a little knowledge of the Italian language.

LEVELS OF ABILITY

Our schools offer courses on 6 monthly ability levels (subdivided on 12 ability levels ot two weeks, each), following the Assessment Grid of the European Language Portfolio (ELP), based on the assessment grid of Schneider/North.
 
DIDACTIC PROGRAM
(according to the level)

Intensive grammar study
Phonetics Development of vocabulary
Syntax and application
Listening and comprehension
Dialogue and communication
Situation method Idiomatic and phraseology
Written and oral comprehension
Lecture and analysis
Live guided discussion and synthesis
Free conversation
NOTA BENE

Teaching Material: Text books and supplies are provided by the school and is already included in the price of the course. You are expected to bring your own dictionary.
Minimum Admission Age: The minimum age for participants is 16.
Course Dates: In our calendar we specify the course dates, the public holidays and the days off for group language courses and courses in Italian culture.
Certificate of Attendance: On request, all students receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Lessons: The duration of each lesson is 45 minutes.

STANDARD ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE

	Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: from 2 to 12 weeks Lessons: 4 per day, 20 per week Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: maximum 12 participants in each class Dates: please click here Prices: please click here Course schedule: please click here
The Standard Course is held throughout the year on 6 (monthly) levels of ability. Duration: 2 to 24 weeks. The 4 lessons are held daily from Monday to Friday, usually beginning at 9am. If there are many participants the Standard Course may also be held in the afternoon at 2pm. There is a maximum of 12 students in each class. ^top

INTENSIVE ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE - FLORENCE and ROME

	Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: from 2 to 24 weeks Lessons: 6 per day, 30 per week Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: maximum 12 participants in each class Dates: please click here Prices: please click here Course schedule: please click here
The Intensive Course consists of 4 lessons Standard Course per day in the morning and 2 extra lessons of group language course in the afternoon. In the afternoon session students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge with practice in speaking and conversing. This course is held only in Florence and Rome. ^top

INTENSIVE ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE "PLUS" 5 & 10

Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: from 2 to 24 weeks Lessons: 4 lessons of group language course plus 1 or 2 lessons of private tuition per day, 25 or 30 per week Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: maximum 12 participants in the group language course; 1 participant in the private lessons Dates: please click here Prices Plus-5: please click here Prices Plus-10: please click here Course schedule: please click here

The Intensive Plus Course consists of the Standard Course Plus additional private lessons (one-to-one). The individual lessons are specifically designed for your specific needs. We offer two kinds of Intensive Plus Courses: Intensive Plus-5 Course: 20 lessons of Standard Course and additional 5 private lessons per week; Intensive Plus-10 Course: 20 lessons of Standard Course and additional 10 private lessons per week. ^top

SMALL GROUP INTENSIVE ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE
(FLORENCE and ROME)

	Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: from 2 to 12 weeks Lessons: 6 per day, 30 per week Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: small groups of 2 to 5 participants Dates: please click here Prices: please click here
For students who want to learn quickly and intensively in a small group, or wish to increase their knowledge, the Small Group Intensive Course is tailor-made for their needs. Together with no more than 5 participants they will have 6 hours of daily intensive language course. The Small Group Intensive Course is held only in Florence and Rome. ^top

“PART TIME TWICE AND THRICE A WEEK” STANDARD COURSE
(ONLY MILAN)

Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: minimum 8 weeks - prolongable Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: maximum 12 participants in each class Dates and prices: Part Time twice a week Dates and prices: Part Time thrice a week

If you want to learn or improve your Italian, but you don’t have time for a daily course, we offer you the possibility to attend “Part-Time” courses for two or three times a week. This evening course is especially recommended for those who already live, study or work in Milan. The courses are held throughout the year on six monthly ability levels. The minimum duration of each course is 8 weeks. PART-TIME TWICE A WEEK: Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: minimum 8 weeks - extendable Lessons: 2 lessons per evening, 4 per week Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: maximum 12 participants in each class Dates and prices: Part Time twice a week Course schedule: held on Tuesday and Thursday evening PART-TIME THRICE A WEEK: Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: minimum 8 weeks - extendable Lessons: 2 lessons per evening, 6 per week Tuition: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: maximum 12 participants in each class Dates and prices: Part Time thrice a week Course schedule: held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening ^top

ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE COURSE "ITALY TODAY"

Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: 2 or 4 weeks Lessons: 50 in two weeks Tuition: from the 3rd ability level on Class size: minimum 4 participants for the cultural part Dates: please click here Prices: please click here

For students who want to learn Italian and at the same time become acquainted with the culture and history and the current social and political situation of their host country, we suggest to choose the "Italy Today" Course. In addition to the 4 lessons Standard Course in the morning, in the afternoon they will be introduced to art and culture, history and folklore, press and films as well as the current political and economic situation of Italy. The cultural part of this course consists of 10 supplementary lessons in two weeks. ^top

LONG-TERM STANDARD COURSE

Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: minimum 12 weeks Lessons: 4 per day, 20 per week Level: all 6 ability levels Extras: special long-term discount; study in different cities Dates: please click here Prices: please click here

Students wishing to study Italian for longer periods are especially welcome at our schools and receive special care and attention from our staff, as well as benefiting from our long-term discounted prices. With this course, students profit from all the advantages of learning a language in the country where it is spoken. Through our experience in teaching the Italian language, we know that the ideal minimum stay for a course is 12 weeks. Not only you will have more confidence in your language skills, but instead of feeling like you are on holiday, you will be completely immersed in the Italian culture and way of life. Many of our long-term students are preparing to enter university or rounding off their Italian Long-Term Standard Course with the recognised AIL "Firenze" examination. ^top

LONG-TERM SEMESTER COURSE

Starting dates: every 2 weeks Duration: minimum 24 weeks Lessons: 4 per day, 20 per week Level: all 6 ability levels Extras: special long-term discount; study in different cities Dates: please click here Prices: please click here

Would you like to enjoy 6 months in Italy and travel to different cities, too? We have the right program for you! The Long-Term Semester Course is an extended version of the Long-Term Standard Course. The general structure is similar, but the objectives are targeted on a long-term basis. If you would like to live in Italy for several months, the Leonardo da Vinci schools offer you the possibility of an attractive package. You may start learning Italian in Florence, and after a few months you can move to Rome, Siena or Milan. The curricula in the semester course are the same; thus you can change the course location any time you want and you will make the most of your stay in Italy. An excellent opportunity to attain a more in-depth and continuous study of the Italian language. You can combine learning the language and enjoying your free time. This course is also an excellent preparation for Master Courses in Art, Italian Design, Italian Fashion or Restoration. Last but not least, the Long-Term Semester Course has a particularly attractive price! ^top

ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR

Starting dates for beginners: from 03 January 2005 to 12 August 2005 from 09 May 2005 to 16 December 2005 from 26 September 2005 to 19 May 2006 Duration: 32 weeks Lessons: 640 lessons of language, culture and exam Level: on all 6 (monthly) ability levels Class size: min. 5 - max. 12 participants in each class Extras: Special accommodation prices Prices: please click here

The “academic year” is a 32 week language and culture course for students who wish to experience living and studying in Italy. The course combines not only language courses with Italian culture classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci but the syllabus also incorporates the fundamental elements of level C2 of the European Language Portfolio. All in all, the course offers students the opportunity to see at first hand the various aspects of Italy’s rich history and culture. The course is composed of a linguistic element and an academic element: 1) Linguistic element: 480 lessons of the standard language course 80 lessons of preparation for the two Diploma «Firenze» AIL exams DILI (intermediate level) and DALI (advanced level) 2) Academic element (80 lessons): Italian Civilization and History Art History Business Italian History of Design and Architecture Introduction to Italian Gastronomy For students, starting the Academic Year in September 2005 the duration of the whole stay is 34 weeks, including two weeks of Christmas Holidays where no courses are held. This course is also an excellent preparation for Master Courses in Art, Italian Design, Italian Fashion or Restoration.