Founded by a group of artists who graduated from the Art Academy of Florence, Accademia d’Arte AD’A, offers courses in art and culture for a wide variety of students, both foreign and Italian, who are interested in understanding and, or, deepening their knowledge of specific artistic disciplines.

Accademia d’Arte AD’A is open year-round and is located in the historic center of Florence which is home to many important museums and a place of study for artists from all over the world.

The courses are composed of lectures by visiting artists, museum visits and lessons taught by professional artists. The faculty of Accademia d’Arte ADA strive to facilitate the comprehension and insertion of students into the variegated art world.

The length of the courses vary and is determined by the possible length of stay of the students interested in specific programs.

In addition to its academic curricula, Accademia d’Arte AD’A offers services which are especially helpful for foreign students including various types of housing arrangements, an extracurricular program with both cultural and recreational activities and other services to ensure that the students’ period of study is both interesting and profitable.


 

Ancient painting techniques   

The course introduces to the students the painting techniques practised between 1300 and 1500; also the study of the major works of the period from Giotto to Leonardo and Michelangelo. The knowledge gained will be put into practice by the copying of two paintings in order that the student may learn the fundamental techniques used; such as egg tempera, gold leaf, up to an including oil colours. The entire process for the realization of complete paintings will be put into practice, from the preparation of the supports to the final glazing.

The theoretical part of this course envisages the introduction to the painting techniques from 1300 to 1500 by the reading of the "Libro dell'arte" (Book of Art) of Cennino Cennini, 14th painter and theoretician and also lessons in base material, preparation of gesso, the composition of colours and paints. 

The practical part starts with the preparation of the base material and finishes with the completion of a copy. A series of conferences and guided visits to museums will round off the course.

Contemporary painting   

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the use of new art languages by the study of new materials and contemporary art techniques.

In the theoretical part, besides dealing with the historical and aesthetic aspects of visual perception, through works of critics, philosophers (Gombrich and Arnheim) and artists (Klee, Kandinsky) we introduce students to the artistic avant garde from the early 20th century until the latest trends, until the point is reached where the student can analyze the newest materials available and the new technologies for base materials, the composition of artistic colours and industrial colours. 

In the practical part of the course, from the study and use of base materials ( canvas, wood, metals, plastic materials) , traditional and industrial colours, the student is introduced to the use of mixed techniques, such as sponging, printing,natural and industrial materials, with the aim of encouraging the development of a personal language.

Photography 

The aim of this course is to transmit the techniques necessary to solve the problems of the image by studying the main specialities of photography, such as "photoreportage" , still life, landscape, the portrait, the reproduction of works of art, fashion and artistic photography, thereby enabling the student to develop a personal style and an individuality., thus preparing him for the profession.

The course caters for two levels, basic and advanced.

Amongst the themes which will be developed in the Basic Course are:- the initial use of the camera (diaphragm, timing, depth), framing ( composition and perspective), use of natural light, interiors and exteriors , and the different types of film. 

Amongst the themes developed in the advanced course are:- depth of field, the controls and the effects of natural light, the techniques of artificial illumination, flash, use of a set of lenses, the dark room, and colour. Both these courses are reinforced by history lectures and analysis of photography.
      
Drawing 

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the use of various materials such as charcoal and "sanguigna" in order to enable him to recognize form and graphite ( pencil) in order to deepen his work by the technique of chiaroscuro. 
These techniques will be put into practice by studying the forms of still life and of live models. During the course, pen and ink will be utilized and the use of colour will be introduced by the addition of pencils, chalks and pastels.

The course includes theory and a series of interesting visits to museums and collections of drawings and graphics.
       
Art History  

The course consist in a route through the artistic movements from Middle Age to Nineteen century.
A particular reference will be done at the artists of the florentine school, from Giotto to Masaccio, from Leonardo to Michelangelo and Raffaello, until Fattori and Signorini, contemporaries of French impressionists.
The course will be integrated by visits in museums, where will be possible to admire the masterpieces   


Etching  

During the course the teacher will furnish the basis of the most known etching techniques and the printmaking.
The printing is the result of an impression.
This is what distinguish an etching from a drawing or a painting. It's also the reason you can reproduce the printing in more exemplary.
There are various materials for etching and various are the techniques: from dry point on zinc to acquaforte on copper until xylograph on wood (xylem=wood).

Sculpture  

This course allows the student to choose between a wide variety of techniques and media, including clay modelling, marble sculpture and wood cut.
According to the student’s level of study and course selection, the student may choose to concentrate on a specific technique or may choose to diversify techniques and materials.
 At the beginning of the course there will be an introduction to functional drawing for sculpture used in connection with the various techniques.

Fashion Design 

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the world of fashion. Following an initial project in which they research visual materials, the students will design their own personal collection.
Close attention will be given to the sketches for designs of accessories, purses, backpacks and shoes, as well as to the overall presentation of collection plans.
The students must realize a prototype, they will be introduced to various techniques of artisan and industrial production of myriad items of clothing and accessories. In addition, the students will study the different typologies of materials used in production. 
     
Ceramic

The aim of this course is to introduce the student to the use of the fundamental techniques of the ceramic manufacturing, such as the bas-relief and the three-dimensional techniques; to the study and execution of the different painting and decoration techniques of the ceramic, besides to the analysis of the composition with the different kinds of the ceramic mixing.

With the knowledge acquired during the course, the student shall have the basis to create autonomous pieces that stimulate their own creativity and the personal style, combining together different techniques.

The theoretical and practical development of the lessons will be held with by bibliographic texts, photographies, visits to the main museums of Florence and with the possible visits to some ceramic factories to observe the production process.

We hope this can be for you a start for a cultural exploration of Italy. We will be pleased to endow you with an instrument capable to improve your knowledge of our country: the italian language. Look at it as a key to open the many doors of our reality. We wish you good work and a very nice trip!

Koinè is a special kind of school. In fact it was set up in 1980 as an association of teachers, all coming from personal and professional experiences in the area of teaching Italian as a foreign language. Since these teachers were dissatisfied with their experiences, they decided to create a new structure which would differ from other private schools in the style of work and teaching methods.

Our courses lay emphasis on spoken language, not disregarding grammar rules, but considering language in its actual function, that is a means of communication between people. Therefore our lessons are focused on making students communicate in italian, helping them to achieve a better expression and comprehension. In this we have always been accurate and our method has been established over a 20 years activity of constant research and applied studies.
Our school gained official recognization by the Italian Ministry of Education last year and belongs to the Asils association of Italian schools for foreigners.

The program and didactic method were developed over a 10-year period of research and testing by the didactic group of the Koinè Centre. Through this work, the Center has developed teaching materials, books, and audiovisual tools and organized seminars and teacher orientation courses.
THE PROGRAM Our courses represent a communications program based on the realities of everyday life in Italy, and include the main aspects of social and cultural reality. We have established a program which, through the selection of specific reading materials, helps the student experience Italian society in an individual, personal way and not merely though the eyes of a tourist.
THE METHOD Our program follows a method which considers different didactic methods, but is based principally on activities requiring the use of creativity and induction. These kinds of activities are aimed at developing the confidence and autonomy of the student who is required to participate actively in classes. In this way, the students become the protagonists and the teacher becomes a discussion leader. According to the best scientific research, in order to be truly effective, teaching should involve not only the rational part of the memory but also the unconscious. The goal is to conquer concrete abilities. First, talking and speaking and then reading and writing, to avoid learning blocked by the inability to communicate effectively.

 
On the first day, students take a language test to determine their level and to enable us to create homogeneous classes. There are five levels divided into two cycles. Each level takes a month to complete. Therefore, it is possible to attend for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 5 months to complete the entire cycle.

BASE LEVEL The attainment by passing three proficiency levels of the “threshold level B1”; that is, the level of communicative ability recognized by the Common European Framework for Languages as permitting participation in an Italian language environment.
ELEMENTARY LEVEL Allows means to handle most daily situations, to satisfy basic needs, and to understand relatively simple information.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL Allows means to handle most daily situations, to express one's point of view, and to explain, describe, and recount in a sufficiently precise manner.
ADVANCED LEVEL This enables one to reach the threshold level, i.e., to obtain those linguistic instruments of communication necessary to move easily within Italy and in direct contact with Italians. The entire cycle places emphasis on the spoken language.
SPECIALIZATION LEVEL At two teaching levels: the rationalization through the systematic procedures of knowledge of the language, of correctness of expression of the richer aspects of the spoken and written language.

Upper Level 1: Morphology and syntax 1st part. Analysis and in-depth study of various tone levels in the spoken language.
Upper Level 2: Morphology and syntax, 2nd part. Analysis and in-depth study of the various tone levels in written language. Introduction to dialects.

 

 

The Lorenzo de Medici school, which opened its doors in 1973, was one of the very first in Florence to specialize in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language. The school is situated in the San Lorenzo quarter in the heart of the old part of the city, just a few steps away from the Medici Chapels and the famed central market area.

Housed in a former convent dating back to the medieval period (the adjacent thirteenth century church of San Jacopo Corbolini is integrated into the complex) the school underwent extensive renovation and today provides a wide range of modern conveniences such as a cafeteria, air-conditioning, reading rooms and an attractive courtyard garden.

The school-whose students come from all age groups and from all over the world- guarantees a high quality in teaching and in the services provided.

OUR METHOD

In line with the most up-to-date theories on Italian language teaching, our method aims at a harmonious development of all four linguistic skills: listening and speaking, reading and writing.


The small number of students per class and the varied teaching techniques enable each student to be an active participant in the learning process. The language is always presented in context with the student immediately putting into practice what has been studied.
 
 
The school provides, free of charge, a pack of course materials which is frequently updated. Preference is given to original and stimulating material that is aimed not only at improving language skills but also permits the student to learn more about Italian culture and present day Italy.
 
The teachers hold University degrees and have specialized experience in the teaching of Italian language and culture to foreigners.
They attend monthly teacher training seminars. 

 
LEVELS

Each type of course is offered in seven levels and 4 weeks are needed to complete a level. Absolute beginners can only start their classes on the first day of the course (see dates). Non beginners can start the course at the beginning of each week. The most appropriate level is selected through a placement test.


A more detailed description of levels is available on request.


Beginning: 
Will be able to interact in simple daily situations: at the cafè, restaurant, hotel, shops, railway stations, in the street. Will know how to introduce themselves and talk about themselves, to invite others to do something and to reply to an invitation. To ask for, and to give, information on people, places, services, articles to buy. Acquisition of the basic structures of the language through the use of the present and present perfect of the most commonly used verbs; article-adjective-noun agreement, direct and possessive pronouns.


Intermediate 1:
Will be able to deal with daily situations such as at the gym, real estate and travel agencies etc. understanding the gist of information given. Ability to talk and write about personal habits and experiences through the correct use of the present, past and imperfect tenses. Will be able to describe, in simple terms, places, surroundings and people. Will be able to speak about personal plans and make promises using the future tense. Ability to express hopes and wishes by using the conditional. Will be able to give and follow instructions, advice and commands through the use of the imperative.


Intermediate 2:
Will be able to deal with more complex daily situations: at the doctor, at the pharmacy, on the telephone, at a job interview. Will be able to take part spontaneously in conversations on familiar or daily matters. Will be able to relate the plot of a movie or tell a story while at the same time expressing opinions and points of view by using the present subjunctive. Ability to describe in detail places and objects by using relative pronouns and making comparisons. Will be able to comprehend short articles and literary texts where the passato remoto is used.


Intermediate 3:
Will be able to deal with more complex daily situations: at the bank, hotel, the box office. Will be able to conjecture opinions with the use of grammatical structures such as the subjunctive and "if" clauses. Ability to argue personally held opinions, ideas, preferences. Will be able to understand without too much effort the significant points of short literary texts and articles even when expressed in complex forms such as the passive, impersonal and implicit. Will be able to understand the gist of radio and TV shows.


Advanced 1:
Will be able to recount and write about events, personal experiences, traditions and habits using quite complex grammatical patterns such as subordination, tense agreement and indirect speech. A broadening of vocabulary will allow a very good understanding of literary prose as well as articles and news reports on current events. Will be able to follow without too much effort movies and radio and TV programs in standard Italian. Would be able to work or study in an Italian environment.


Advanced 2:
Will be able to interact with native speakers, orally or in writing, in any given situation whether it be formal or informal. Ability to discuss and express personal ideas including in an academic or professional context - in an elegant and well articulated manner through the use of forms of the subjunctive, "if" clauses and the passive voice. Ability to read a wide range of texts making distinctions between different styles of writing. Will be able to understand without difficulty TV and radio shows and movies.

Mastery:
Will be able to write fluently using correct grammar, sentence construction and the appropriate linguistic register. Will have acquired a wide vocabulary with specific application to specialized area such as Italian bureaucracy, youth culture and the field of medicine. Will be able to understand movies and TV programs even when idiomatic Italian, regional accents and slang expressions are used. Will be able to understand works of literature in both form and content.

According to the Common European Reference Levels -European Language Portfolio - our levels correspond as follows:

EUROPEAN LANGUAGE PORTFOLIO / LORENZO DE' MEDICI
A1  Beginner
A2  Intermediate 1
B1  Intermediate 2 / Intermediate 3
B2  Advanced 1
C1  Advanced 2 
C2  Mastery

 

FLORENCE


Espresso 4 is a group course consisting of 4 hours a day, 9.00am to 12.40pm, Monday through Friday. The appropriate level for each student will be determined by a placement test upon arrival. In case the student is an absolute beginner, he/she should start classes on the first Monday of the academic month.

Espresso 2 is a group course (only held in summer) consisting of 2 hours a day, from 2.10pm to 3.50pm, Monday through Friday. There are six levels, each of which takes 4 weeks to be completed. Upon arrival students will take a placement test.

Combination: In addition to the afore-mentioned courses, students who prefer taking classes for more than 2-4 hours a day can add one extra sixty-minute individual class with an Italian professor per day for 1 week (5 hrs. total).

Supplementary Courses: The combination of the Italian language courses with the Supplementary Courses – held in Italian - provides an opportunity to blend language practice with a pleasant and useful activity: Italian Cuisine and wines.



Whenever a student has very specific linguistic objectives, or particular time schedule requests, the LdM offers individual courses tailored in order to meet individual needs.

• Individual lessons per hour (minimum 5 hrs.)
• Individual 1 (4 hrs. per day for 1 week = 20 hrs.)
• Individual 2 (6 hrs. per day for 1 week = 30 hrs.)
  
• Individual 2 plus (includes lunch with teacher for 1 week = 30 hrs.)
• Individual 3 (8 hrs. per day for 1 week = 40 hrs.)
• Individual 3 plus (includes lunch with teacher for 1 week = 40 hrs
• Language, Art & Culture (8 hrs. per day including Italian language lessons, field trips & lunch with teacher for 1 week = 40 hrs.)

Certifications

LdM issues an attendance certificate and, on request, a certificate attesting the successful completion of courses. Successfully completing the final level of the Espresso course earns the student the Magister Linguae Certificate.
The school also prepares students to attain certifications issued by the following Universities:
- Università per stranieri di Siena (CILS)
- Università per stranieri di Perugia (CELI)

Twice a year the school also offers specific courses to practice and prepare for the Certification Exams CILS and CELI, which are usually held in June and December.

Teacher Training

Training Courses for Teachers of Italian as a Second Language:
This is a graduate course for Italians and foreigners who are interested in acquiring professional skills in teaching the Italian language in Italy and abroad. The course is two weeks long for a total of 50 hours: 30 hours of theoretical lectures plus workshops (mornings), and 20 hours of teaching practice (afternoons). This course is valid as a pre-requisite for admission to the Ditals II exam (second level).
- Type: Group
- Students nr/class: an average of 5 students (maximum 12).
Offered: Twice a year.

To see a full list of LdM courses and descriptions and to download the 2007 - 2008 General Course Catalog, please click here.

TUSCANIA
Italian language courses are normally organized in the morning, giving students the opportunity to combine them with cultural courses held in the afternoon, such as cooking and wine tasting.



Espresso 4 is a group course consisting of 4 hours a day, 9.00am to 12.40pm, Monday through Friday. The appropriate level for each student will be determined by a placement test upon arrival. In case the student is an absolute beginner, he/she should start classes on the first Monday of the academic month.

Regular Italian is a group course consisting of 3 hours a day, Monday through Thursday, offered in June and July. It is offered at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.

Combination: In addition to the afore-mentioned courses, students who prefer taking classes for more than 2-4 hours a day can add one extra sixty-minute individual class with an Italian professor per day for 1 week (5 hrs. total).

Supplementary Courses: The combination of the Italian language courses with the Supplementary Courses – held in Italian - provides an opportunity to blend language practice with a pleasant and useful activity: Italian Cuisine and wines.



Whenever a student has very specific linguistic objectives, or particular time schedule requests, the LdM offers
individual courses tailored in order to meet individual needs.

• Individual lessons per hour (minimum 5 hrs.)
• Individual 1 (4 hrs. per day for 1 week = 20 hrs.)
• Individual 2 (6 hrs. per day for 1 week = 30 hrs.)
  
• Individual 2 plus (includes lunch with teacher for 1 week = 30 hrs.)
• Individual 3 (8 hrs. per day for 1 week = 40 hrs.)
• Individual 3 plus (includes lunch with teacher for 1 week = 40 hrs
• Language, Art & Culture (8 hrs. per day including Italian language lessons, field trips & lunch with teacher for 1 week = 40 hrs.)

ROME


Regular Italian is a group course consisting of 3 hours a day, Monday through Thursday, offered in June and July. It is offered at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels.

Combination: In addition to the afore-mentioned courses, students who prefer taking classes for more than 2-4 hours a day can add one extra sixty-minute individual class with an Italian professor per day for 1 week (5 hrs. total).



In cases where the student has very specific linguistic objectives, or particular time schedule requests, LdM offers individual courses tailored in order to meet the individual student's needs:

• Individual lessons per hour (minimum 5 hrs.)
• Individual 1 (4 hrs. per day for 1 week = 20 hrs.)
• Individual 2 (6 hrs. per day for 1 week = 30 hrs.)
  
• Individual 2 plus (includes lunch with teacher for 1 week = 30 hrs.)
• Individual 3 (8 hrs. per day for 1 week = 40 hrs.)
• Individual 3 plus (includes lunch with teacher for 1 week = 40 hrs
• Language, Art & Culture (8 hrs. per day including Italian language lessons, field trips & lunch with teacher for 1 week = 40 hrs.)