Discover the beauty of the Cinque Terre and the charm of Portofino by learning Italian with us.

Nel Blu is located in the historical town centre of Chiavari, in the region of Liguria with its unique and evocative landscape created by the fusion of land and sea. The school is modern and welcoming, and is situated just a few minutes from the beach. We are open all year round and organise group courses for all levels and individual lessons for students, tourists and professionals in order to satisfy our clients’ requirements.

The school is located on the second floor of an attractive Art Nouveau building with characteristic balconies with flowers. The classrooms are bright and spacious, each room is furnished in a different style but all have their own particular ‘marine’ atmosphere. The school uses traditional slate blackboards (slate being local to the area), and has a well-stocked library, tape recorders, a television and DVD player. Students may also enjoy a cup of Italian coffee or a light snack with the teachers during lesson breaks.
All teachers are mother tongue and their competence and professionalism guarantee lessons of the highest quality.

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.


 

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.
 

 


 

SACI was founded in 1975 to create a complete program in Florence for students seeking excellence in studio art and liberal arts instruction at the United States university level. In 1999, after twenty-four years of activity and growth, SACI had the extraordinary good fortune to acquire as its permanent home the Palazzo dei Cartelloni, a Renaissance building right in the center of Florence. This advantageous location provides highly dynamic surroundings for art education.

The palazzo was dedicated in the seventeenth century to the scientist Galileo Galilei by his pupil Viviani. On the façade there are large scrolls which describe the extraordinary achievements of Galileo. The 29,000 square foot palazzo surrounds a large traditional Italian garden. The spacious light-filled interiors have been conserved in their original baroque magnificence, including the painted ceilings and frescoed walls.

SACI provides a stimulating educational experience that draws upon the rich cultural resources of both past and present Italy. The inspiring and well-equipped facilities of the palazzo and separate Graduate Center are located a few steps from Michelangelo's Medici Chapel, the Laurentian Library, the Duomo, the church of Santa Maria Novella, and the bustling activity of Florence's central market.

Studio Art Centers International is recognized as one of the leading overseas institutions in the areas of studio art, art history, art conservation and Italian language and culture. Our long experience in the field of overseas education has led us to develop five programs which are fully described in the following links. Separate materials are available which give more detailed information about our Two Year Diploma, Post-Baccalaureate, and MFA programs.

It is part of our goal to make Italy's abundant resources available and pertinent to studio art, art history and art conservation students through field trips and course work. Rome, Milan, Lucca, Arezzo, Bologna, Carrara, Assisi, Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Faenza, Urbino, and Pietrasanta are visited over the course of the year by classes in SACI's programs, as well as the major museums, churches, and monuments of Florence.

In addition, courses in studio art, art history and art conservation make use of field trips to artists' studios, private collections, galleries, art fairs, professional designers' studios, and manufacturers of Italian design products. SACI students have access to modern art collections and contemporary art museums, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Prato, the Marino Marini Museum in Florence, and the Contemporary Art Museum of the Papesse in Siena. For students of art conservation, there is the unique opportunity to participate in the conservation of works housed in the Conservatorio di Santa Maria degli Angioli, a special cultural arrangement by SACI with the city of Florence.

SACI's growing library has over 7,000 schoolwork related titles in English to choose from, as well as a good selection of art periodicals and works of fiction. As the library is specifically designed for use by students enrolled in SACI classes and research projects, this is an invaluable resource. The library is open seven days a week and hours are posted each term. Books may be checked out for one week at a time. Students can sign out video cassettes from SACI’s video library and use the VCR in the aula magna. Complete art history bibliographies are also available to help students locate books and materials in other Florentine libraries, to which our students have access. For example, all of our students can also use the documentation center at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Prato and the British Institute library.

SACI has a Visiting Artist Program, and also holds important exhibitions in its Gallery, including a series of exhibitions, in collaboration with Florence's cultural offices, which feature emerging and established artists. Many visiting artists are members of the SACI Artists Council, a group of internationally renowned artists who support SACI and its mission. The school also hosts an evening lecture series to complement curricular offerings. Our speakers include artists, art historians, conservators, museum directors, curators, critics, and scholars specializing in art, art history, conservation, and other aspects of Italian culture and life including politics, music, literature, and history. Additional evening activities open to students include life drawing classes, film screenings, and introductory courses on Italian culture and food.

SACI's extensive language program includes unique features. In our Italian Language Partner Program, students are introduced to a selected group of Italian students and young professionals who accompany their SACI partners to interesting local events and activities. This encourages SACI students to practice their language skills and has proved an extremely rewarding experience for many of our students.

In addition to the many site visits which are part of our courses, optional trips are usually offered to Naples, Pompei, Herculaneum, and Venice. Over mid-term break, optional week-long trips have been offered to Paris, Amsterdam, Cologne, or, as graduate workshops, to Geneva and London. Information regarding a wide range of travel, sport, and cultural activities is available through SACI. For more than twenty-five years, SACI has proved to be a stimulating environment for the serious student of art, design, art history, and art conservation. Many of our alumni attribute their professional success to their time at SACI. If you are seeking a creative, challenging, and rewarding Italian study program, SACI may be the right choice for you.


Studio Art Centers International (SACI) is a program administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE, www.iie.org). IIE is the world’s most experienced, nonprofit global higher education and professional exchange agency. SACI’s United States offices are headquartered in the IIE New York building at 809 United Nations Plaza. Along with SACI, IIE administers such programs as the US Government’s Fulbright Program, The Humphrey Fellowship, The National Security Education Program, and over 200 others. SACI is proud of its affiliation with the Institute. By working closely to strengthen and encourage international education we can “open minds to the world.”

 

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.

 

 

LINGUA IT is an institute that specialises in teaching Italian to foreigners. The school’s primary objective is to immerse students in the real language and culture of Italy. Studying Italian in Italy brings with it the unique opportunity to listen, speak and live the actual language, using the native terms and expressions as they are used by Italians. Using mass media and a variety of other textual stimuli, the teachers at LINGUA IT combine the best possible teaching methods with an active immersion in Italian culture to give students a total exposure to the Italian language.
The school is located in the historical centre of Verona just a few steps away from the Arena and the most important monuments of the city. LINGUA IT is close to all services and is easily reached by public transport. The staff will be able to give you all the information you need to reach the premises in the quickest and easiest way.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY - Methodology
The teaching methodology employed at LINGUA IT is based on the most current educational techniques and texts available. Finely tuned to meet the specific needs and interests of different classes and students, each language course focuses simultaneously on the four components on which all language is built: oral expression and comprehension (speaking and listening) and written expression and comprehension (writing and reading). In addition to traditional grammar instruction and speaking exercises where focus is given to the linguistic form and characteristics of Italian, students are encouraged to participate in less structured activities that promote spontaneous, sub-conscious learning, developing communication skills in a natural and instinctive manner. In a relaxed and informal environment, over an extended period of time, students at LINGUA IT quickly improve and loose their fear of speaking a new language, frequently surprising themselves with the speed at which they become competent and confident with Italian. The teaching method adopted at the school encourages active class participation and interaction by all students. Always grouped with others of a similar skill level, students need not be fearful of class participation. After a day at the school, students invariably relax into the routine of lessons and find the presence of other students a help rather than a hindrance to the learning process. Outside the regular morning classes, students of different levels are brought together for the optional cultural courses (guided tours, lectures on art and history, cooking courses etc). The naturally informal nature of these events makes the merging of different levels comfortable and easy and benefits both beginners and advanced students alike.

Teaching Resources
The aim of each language course is to teach students the Italian language as it is used naturally, in real life situations. LINGUA IT utilises a variety of resources (written texts, audio and video stock, newspaper articles, images, music and didactic games) to meet this end.
Well aware that foreign language textbooks and schools often teach a version of a language that is outmoded or rarely used by the native speakers of the country, the teachers at LINGUA IT have compiled a specialised and comprehensive assortment of teaching materials and learning aids that use real-world linguistic examples. The use of play excerpts, television and radio programs, advertisements, literary passages, song lyrics, greeting cards, dialogues of telephone conversations, newspaper and magazine articles, government forms, diary entries, comics, letters and reviews (just to name a few), ensures that students will be exposed to the real language of Italy, as it is used in both formal and informal contexts.
The variety of topics explored in both the texts and conversations at LINGUA IT (ranging from basic introductory skills to the exploration of complex theoretical and philosophic ideas), address an array of linguistic demands. By immersing students in a variety of real-life situations, they are given the confidence and skills they need to effectively participate and interact in the Italy of today. 

Course Levels
At the beginning of each language course, students (beginners excluded) are given a short test to evaluate their competence and determine which level they are best suited to. At the conclusion of each course level, students sit a final test. The results are evaluated and used to determine whether the student is ready to proceed onto the next course level. The language courses are divided into five levels (plus an additional sixth level for those who want to perfect their proficiency) with a maximum number of eight students per class and a minimum number of three.


Beginners:
In the Beginners Level, students learn basic communication skills clearly geared for the everyday. A strong grammar base is introduced and the vocabulary taught is simple but precise.

Elementary:
Students of the Elementary Level actively participate in conversation structured around general issues and topics. In this course, solid focus is given to the correct employment of various grammatical principles and rules and students develop a comprehensive and broad vocabulary.

Intermediate:
Through discussion and textual analysis, students in the Intermediate Level explore a range of complicated themes and ideas, gaining a strong command of the Italian language and a deeper understanding of both grammatical and linguistic elements. In this course, students are exposed to the language of the mass media and the variable nature of Italian as it is affected by intonation and different contexts within Italian society.

Post-Intermediate:
This course is dedicated to perfecting students’ communication skills and equipping them with an understanding of the nuances that make up a thorough knowledge of Italian. In the Post-Intermediate Course, students are taught the correct usage of colloquialisms and idiomatic expressions and are also exposed to some of the more complex structures of the Italian language.

Advanced:
In this course students practice using Italian naturally and competently in all conceivable life situations. Embracing the spectrum of scenarios from everyday interaction (including communication in the work environment) to the use of Italian in the discussion of highly complicated themes and ideas, pupils of the Advanced Level secure a full and comprehensive mastery of all the grammatical and syntactical structures of the Italian language. This level also equips students with the skills necessary to competently construct a variety of written documents.

Proficiency Perfection:
At this level, students already have a strong mastery of the Italian language. The Proficiency Perfection Course is devoted to fine-tuning students’ syntax and manner of expression through participation in discussion groups dedicated to a variety of topics. This course also aims to enrich and embellish vocabulary and improve students’ written and oral expression as well as perfecting their ability to communicate in a rapid and precise manner. Students are guided through specialised texts, documents and a variety of essays on varying topics with the aim of exposing them to the specific details, style and vocabulary employed in each and the reasons why.
 

THE SCHOOL IN THE CITY:

Recognised by the University of Siena , is run by a cooperative of teachers. It was founded in 1986.

ORBETELLO, surrounded by its lagoon, was an important Etruscan port and the home of trade between ancient civilisations. Its historical, urban and natural features provide the ideal conditions for meeting local people, as well as guaranteeing quality of life, making it just the place for a language school.
The old town centre, was originally organised to provide a functional setting for everyday life of the townsfolk. The same places where people used to meet within the Etruscan walls, are still in use today. The little piazzas and quiet lanes with their bars and restaurant tables, come to life in the evenings, with street theatre s and concerts that are open to everyone. The warm Mediterranean air provides encourages one to stop and mingle with others.

This is the rich setting in which you'll find the TERRAMARE School .

The close contact with the everyday life of the town gives our students many opportunities to hear and use everyday Italian, and creates a close interaction between the language learnt in school, and practice in the local community. Ours is, in fact, a responsive school capable of transforming local cultural events, plays and shows into enjoyable learning situations for further language study and social activities.

ENROLLING FOR A COURSE AT THE TERRAMARE SCHOOL means numerous opportunities to combine language learning with language practice.

Classes are always small with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 students, divided into 6 levels (as described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

In the morning (9.00 am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday) there are general language lessons with activities to encourage the practical application of the language and the analysis of form and structure with the aim of fully involving each student in their own linguistic and cultural development.

The school is open all year round. It's possible to enrol at any time and choose a course specially tailored to your requirements, answering to any need of studying, working, way of life and leasure time and suited to any level.

Small classes (minimum 2/maximum 6 students)

All levels are recognized by the Common European Framework for Languages.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (GROUP)
Standard course 20h/wk + cultural activities and excursions

The duration of the standard course is two weeks. It is also possible to enrol for periods of one or more weeks. The classes are formed on the first day of the course after the compilation of a language level test. All the levels are catered for, from beginners to proficiency. Each class has a minimum of two, a maximum of 6 students. Lessons take place in the morning, Monday to Friday, from 9.00 a.m. to 1. 00 p.m. (with a twenty minutes break).

THE PROGRAM:
Morning: 4 hrs language lessons from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a brief pause of 20 minutes.
The desire to include social and cultural information about our Country is a strong motivation to learn the language. For this reason, as our land is so rich in nature, archaeology, art, history and traditions, we offer an intense program of cultural activities in the afternoon.
Afternoon: 4 cultural meetings ( 6hrs/1wk; 12 hrs/2 wks)- Italian literature, art history, archaeology, art, song and cinema.

1 all day historical-naturalistic excursion to one of the islands of Tuscan Archipelagos during the first week.
1 half day historical-naturalistic excursion during the first week (Natural Park of Maremma, "Giardino dei Tarocchi" by Niki de Saint Phalle, Spring-waters of Saturnia.
1 half day historical-naturalistic excursion during the second week (after a little trek along the cost to swim, you can see an ancient Roman or Etruscan site).

COMBINED INTENSIVE
Italian language and culture with group+ two hrs "one to one" p.m.

THE PROGRAM:
Class lessons each morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. plus two hours of individual tuition in the afternoons.
Students who choose a combined course participate in all the cultural activities organized by the school for intensive group courses.
The possibility for the students to integrate the program and to include specific purposes.

Founded in 1986, COMITATO LINGUISTICO is member of ASILS, the association of the most renowned Italian teaching institutes with a strict quality criteria. The school is situated in the old city center of Perugia and offers courses exclusively for Italian as a foreign language all year round. Our objective is to teach in a friendly environment with a professional approach. It is very important for us to have personal contact with the students; the teachers and administration are always available regarding information and advice needed.

Lessons: Are held from Monday to Friday and the duration of each lesson is 50 minutes. On national holidays (06.01, Easter Monday, 25.04, 01.05, 02.06, 15.08, 01.11, 08.12) the school is closed, however lessons are recuperated. The first day of the course (from 9.00 o'clock on) we check your understanding of the Italian language which enables us to determine objectively how your stay in our school can be best used to your advantage. Lessons begin the second day of the course.

Quality and not quantity: A well structured program and standard text books combined with material conceived purposely for our courses are characteristics of our flexible and modern teaching methods. Conversation, grammar, comprehension and production of text, games etc. will help you to acquire an indispensable linguistic understanding for your studies or work. In all courses, each student has the possibility of actively participating. The groups of students are small: the average class size is seven, the maximum twelve students per class, which allows our teachers to assist and follow your learning step by step.

Teachers: All courses are held by native Italian teachers with university qualifications and experience in teaching Italian to foreigners.

Our students: Since the foundation of the school there have been students from about 40 nations, ranging from Alaska to Zaire, that have attended our courses. There is for the major part university students but also workers, scholars, missionaries and pensioners. The minimum age for enrolment in any course is 16.

Cultural and free time program: In your free time, you can participate in the numerous cultural activities organized by the school. City tours, excursions, films, visits to museums, international dinner etc. will make your stay in Perugia interesting.

 

Dear Friend Welcome to the Solemar School!
Thanks a lot for your interest in combining your holiday with the study of the Italian language and culture.
Our Language School in Sicily has been working successfully for more than 16 years aiming at offering highly qualified Italian courses in a friendly atmosphere at favourable prices.
Our participants stay in very charming holiday houses in a small bay about 15 km from Palermo.
As we enjoy a pleasant climate all year round, it is possible to have a relaxing beach and a stunning culture holiday together.
Those who would like to live in well refined holiday houses, boarding on their own, should take our offers, hereafter described, into account.
If you want to bring your children, we are able to offer a very efficient and qualified baby-sitting service during the hours of the lesson, or a children suited language course.
If you wish to choose our school in Cefalù, you can stay either in an old Sicilian style apartment, or in host families, but also leisurely in a comfortable sea side hotel, which is equipped with excellent tourist facilities.
If you are interested in our courses, send us the enrolment form within at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the course; otherwise you should contact us directly to make sure that there are vacancies.
In order to distinguish our school from less serious organisations of language courses, you may enquire at your nearest Italian Cultural Centre who will provide all the information required.
References of former students, who attended our courses, can also be provided.After receiving your enrolment form we will send you precise information on how to reach the school.
We are already looking forward to welcoming you !

With our best wishes from sunny Sicily.

Thomas Grüssner & Maria Carnevale


SICILY
The Mediterranean island which enchants with its arts, culture and nature. We have been organising our language courses for 16 years in two places in Sicily.


CONCEPT
At Mongerbino, lessons are dealt outdoors, weather permitting. In this way, the student learns without missing out on the sun and the splendid ocean view. We assure that you cannot find a more appropriate condition for learning. We have a central location with classical modern classrooms.

At Cefalù, our students use the rooms of an ancient school, which, today, is partly inhabited by a nuns' order. The school also has an outdoor courtyard. Language courses, of a two weeks medium length (40 lesson units), take place from Monday to Friday in the morning hours. It is possible, of course, to reserve a week only, or to prolong the frequency, having, beforehand, the certainty that the course continuation will seriously consider the knowledge level reached until that moment. The integration into the appropriate groups will be decided through a preliminary written valuation test and a short guided conversation. Usually groups for lessons are formed by 4 - 5 students (max. 8 per lesson)

 

 

 

 

 

At the Domus Aurea Centre learning Italian takes place in a cultural and historical framework that helps you learn about Rome and Italy through art, history and traditions.

By now we have twenty years of educational experience.
Expert language teachers carefully plan the teaching units using modern methods of direct teaching to use the language as a means of communication.
 
The small number of students in each class (maximum 8) allows the teachers to dedicate time to each student individually, meeting their language needs.
Highly active and motivated, our teachers also act as “interaction leaders” and are there for the students even during social gatherings.

Before starting a class students take both a written and an oral test to determine their level of Italian. At the end of the course a brief final test completes the evaluation process.
A Certificate of attendence recognized by the Italian Ministry of Public Instruction will be given to each student.
On request the school is able to provide certificates for Visa and resident permit for students.

The school
 
The Domus Aurea School came to life in 1997, from the idea of its founder, Massimo Sponsiello, and the present Director of the School, Nella Leo, to create a joint program with Apulia, that would reveal all the different facets of Italy.

The school is located in the heart of the city, between via Nazionale and the Coliseum, just a short walk from the legendary Trevi Fountain and the eternal Roman Forum.

The school is on the first floor of a 19th century building. There are 5 classrooms each with a table and chairs, a whiteboard and a tape recorder.

There is a small multimedia laboratory with free internet connection, a spacious administrative area, the Director’s office, 2 toilets and a small garden terrace.

In the entrance hall there are the drinks dispensers (coffee and water) and a notice board. Near the secretary’s office there is a small lounge where those who come for course information can wait.

Teaching and courses

At the Domus Aurea Centre for Italian Language and Culture the teaching method is functional-communicative: based on communication and interaction integrated with the study of grammar.

The teaching units emerge from the integration of the linguistic skills taken in the following order: reading-listening, comprehension, speaking and writing. Vocabulary is a part of the reading-listening and comprehension module, while grammatical analysis is the moment for the student to examine the syntactical structure of the language.

To help our students learn quickly and to enrich their knowledge of Italy, Domus Aurea develops students' skills integrating language with general culture.
Our students come from all over the world; to respect our choice of teaching methods, communication in the classroom takes place mainly in Italian. 
 
The teachers, with the help of a progressive vocabulary base, help the beginning students to express themselves correctly starting from the very first lessons.
There are five language levels: Beginners, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced and Profinciency. Each level is completed in 80 hours of class time.

To guarantee this there is a tutoring service, both for group lessons and individual lessons, to help the students. This allows us to follow each student‘s instruction step by step and, based on the objectives of the course, allows us to check results as the course moves along. Furthermore, where there are specific needs, tutoring guarantees a service usually offered only through individual lessons.

As far as study tools is concerned, we will focus on the following points:
1) Teaching materials: planned and provided by the teachers in structured teaching units. These are integrated with other publications and authentic materials such as newspapers, photographs, advertisements, and so on.
2) Multimedia support material: the basic use of teaching materials like the TV, the video and the computer for multimedia programs contribute to maintaining the students’ interest and motivation.
3) Work outside the class: watching films and reading in Italian guarantees the continuity needed for good results.

At the end of each course the students receive a Diploma containing the teacher’s comments, the number of hours studied, the level and the type of course taken. The students also receive a certificate that indicates their performance in each of the skill areas; this information is used in conjunction with the teacher’s advice to suggest the best way for each student to carry on his language studies, either individually or in another course.

 

 

 

 

 

Learn italian the proper way!

Courses from 1 week to one year and more
Ages 14 to 99...
Abc School is centrally located in Florence, Italy

"Last spring I took a beginning Italian course at ABC Centro di Lingua e Cultura Italiana in Florence. I had a great time! (There are a few schools with similar names; ...) The total cost for one month, including two 2-hour courses daily and accommodation with an Italian couple came to about $800 US. This is less than I would have spent staying in hostels for that month.
The school has daily activities and weekend field trips around Tuscany. The teachers are knowledgeable and friendly and the school is located in a former palace near the Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio. Not many Americans seem to go there (I was one of two there out of about 60 students ), so this is a good chance to meet other students from around Europe."
Jicky — Bellingham, WA

In the heart of Florence, the ABC Center offers to their own students the avalaibility of partecipating at language, art and culture courses. The teachers at ABC Center are Florentines who are certified or have studied at Florence University. They have experience in teaching the Italian language to foreigners have apprenticed with experienced teachers at the center and are extremely friendly and welcoming. Listed below, is an example of how to spend your time at the ABC Center:   
1. A wide choice in Italian language courses.
2. Summer courses in Taormina.
3. Art and culture courses.
4. Afternoon seminars on current Italian issues.
5. Student Lounge.
6. Up to date information regarding cultural events, concerts, art shows, meeting places and economical shopping.
7. Guided tours of Florence, Tuscany and Italy.
8. Dinners, parties, visits to the countryside and to the sea group visits to the cinema and theatre.
9. Carefully selected accommodation.
10. Young and qualified teachers.
11. A reduced number of students per class (Max 7-10).
12. Low prices.
 
For many years the ABC Center has carried out research in the field of linguistics and didactics according to the Direct Teaching Method but the Center also takes into account the various existing trends in didactics exspecially regarding a solid grammatical base. The aim of this teaching method is oral and written communication and to achieve this there is a maximum of ten students per class.
 
This situation makes accurate and precise teaching possible where the students learn quickly and thoroughly. Two teachers lecture standard and intensive courses offering the students the opportunity of hearing different accents. The lessons and seminars take place exclusively in Italian. In order to place the students accurately in a class, there is an oral and a written test first.

The courses are divided into six levels and into two programs:

1. Formation

2. Specialization
The Formation Program is divided into three levels (elementary, middle and superior) and allows the students to reach the Threshold Level, i.e. the level of communicative competence according to the Modern Language Project of the Council of Europe. At the end of the program the students are able to express themselves correctly in Italian in written and in spoken form.

The Specialization Program is divided into three levels (Advanced 1, Advanced 2, and Advanced 3) and allows the students to have complete command of the language and a notable ability to express themselves In written and In spoken form.


Usually each level corresponds to a 4 week standard course.
It is possible to attend a course for a maximum of 24 weeks to complete the entire study program. Though some students decide to stay even longer...

  
   

The city

Some of the most important museums in the world, fascinating cultural events, art, music, history, fashion and of course a great cuisine. The city is situated one hour away from the Tyrrhaenean Sea and one and a half hour from the main winter resorts of the Apennine mountains. Florence is a city of many faces, from the lively quarters and picturesque markets to the many universities and the elegant streets lined by some of the most famous shops in the world. Moreover, the city offers ideal linguistic conditions for those who study Italian: the language spoken in the streets, the squares, the cafes and the markets is free of any dialect and its syntax is often cited as an example of linguistic correctness. Therefore, it is the ideal place to practise the language in a culturally exceptional environment.
The location

EUROPASS is right in the historical centre of Florence, within walking distance from the main monuments, churches, museums, the Duomo, Piazzale Michelangelo, and the river Arno. This lively area is affluent with trattorias, cafeterias and bars, thus perfect for the student life.

The school

Our institute is located in a prestigious neo-classical style building. Wide stairs lead to spacious and bright classrooms with up-to-date audio and video equipment, a big lounge and sunny balconies that are the ideal surrounding for studies, conversation or reading. Moreover, from the terrace located on the building roof you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the town centre and the nearby Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. We devote much individual attention to our students, in a friendly atmosphere. Finally, the SoulSpace wellness center, located inside the school building, is an additional value for a proper balance between study and relax. The staff 

From receptionist to management the staff will help you feel at ease throughout your stay. They all are at your disposal at any time for any question or problem. Our teachers are highly qualified and motivated, friendly, open minded  and above all … authentic Italians! The courses

Our teaching method is based on modern and innovative principles, that immediately enable the students to communicate easily and confidently in everyday situations. Moreover Europass offers a wide choice of subjects beside the Italian language, including Visual Arts, Photography, Jewellery, Cooking and Culture studies. Our courses are attended by international students from all over the world, thus creating a very stimulating international atmosphere.
The activities 

The activities are designed to bring students to closer contact with the Italian language and (being held here in Florence) ... Tuscan culture! Wine and cheese sampling, dinners in typical restaurants or pizzerias, discounts for theatrical plays and concerts, excursions into the Tuscan countryside and discovering Florence’s hidden places are a substantial part of our rich cultural and extracurricular program. Moreover we also organize sporting activities such as football games and bike excursions in the Tuscan countryside. The accommodations

You can live in either the friendly atmosphere of a family or, if you want to be more independent, in an apartment shared with other students. Upon request and without extra charge, Europass will assist you in finding the most suitable accommodation, such as hotel rooms or tourist farmhouses of all categories, even out of Florence.

 With EUROPASS you can live a unique experience and spend an unforgettable language study term! We will be there for you and do our very best to make you feel at your ease in your course, accommodation and spare time. Your satisfaction is our main purpose!

Come to the Scuola Toscana:
 
Italian Language as its best in its very place, Florence.
 
Study a foreign language and gain an unbeatable tool: to have a concrete knowledge of the Italian language.
 
Get a taste of Florence, the city of the Renaissance, the heart of Tuscany: surrounded by the beautiful Chianti hills, just one hour's drive from the Riviera. You will tell you have walked the streets where Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, Leonardo da Vinci walked, you have touched the Brunelleschi Cupola del Duomo, Michelangelo's David.....

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SCUOLA TOSCANA ARE:

a maximum of 8 students per class.
starting dates available every two weeks, 12 months a year
courses from one week up to one semester
the accommodation programme: a wide choice of apartments and selected families in Florence (no commission)
proficiency evaluation once a course is completed, various Certificates and Diplomas (Accademia Italiana di Lingua e Università per Stranieri di Siena).
customer service: assistance and courtesy, "Satisfaction-guarantee-or-your-money-back" clause (ask for more details)
Read through this site, see the many and varied learning opportunities you get at the Scuola Toscana and enrol today!

The School

The Rome Language Centre of the Dante Alighieri group was opened in 1981 and specialises in the teaching of Italian language and culture to foreign students. The main school was set up in Florence in 1966 and today the Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri has a number of other centres also in Greece. The school has authorisation from the Education Ministry and is open all year round.

The Centre

The Rome centre is housed in a stylish turn of the century building, at 1 Piazza Bologna. It is within easy reach of the city centre and all other areas, amply served by Underground Line B and many bus routes. The classrooms are large and bright and there is a terrace which, in spring, summer and autumn, becomes a meeting-place for students during breaks. All the classrooms are climatized.

The Staff

Our staff is on hand to provide information or help students with any problem.

Giulia Savona, Head of Administration, has twenty years' experience with CLI and handles general management.

Fabrizio Fucile, Head of Studies, has taught Italian and Latin since 1990, with a specialist interest in Italian Studies in which he gained his research doctorate and as well as handling management of studies, co-ordinates relations with oversea teaching institutes.

Elena Lachin is Head of Student Services.


Teaching Staff, Methods and Course-Books

Members of the Danti Alighieri CLI teaching staff are all humanities graduates and have followed teacher training courses in the teaching of Italian as a second language, organised by the school. They keep abreast of new teaching concepts, methods and tools.

The method adopted by the teachers is the communicative grammar method. Each lesson is structured in two parts: in the first, morpho-syntactical structures are presented and written and oral exercises immediately assess the individual student's level of understanding and reproduction. In the second part, the student learns to apply the new linguistic structures in the most varied situations from the colloquial to the more formal and bureaucratic, broadens his personal vocabulary and practices using the idiomatic expressions of spoken Italian.

Course-books have been developed from years of experience and successful teaching methods used at the school: the books are the result of co-operation between language specialists and teachers themselves who have a more direct experience of the problems and needs of the students. The CLI Dante Alighieri course-books are used also by European and American schools and universities.

 

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.

Learn Italian at the seaside, in Tuscany, Italy
Officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research

Study Italian in Italy where it is spoken — The italian language school "Giacomo Puccini Centre" organizes all the year round Italian Language and Culture Courses to learn italian in Viareggio, one of Tuscany's most beautiful beaches.

Learn italian while learning the italian culture — Take part in one of our italian language programs here in Viareggio, Tuscany, Italy! We offer a wide range of different italian language programs from our popular standard language course to individual tuition and our Italian Diploma course (AIL Exams and CILS exams). People from all over the world come here to learn the italian language and to study the italian culture and way of living. The climate is excellent. We are right in Tuscan Versilia, one of the most exciting and interesting Italian seaside resorts. Viareggio is located close to Pisa, Lucca, Florence and Carrara.

The method

Direct method —There are four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking which need to be studied and developed right from the first level to achieve understanding and expression in authentic communicative situations. We use only italian language, with beginners too. Situations are simulated in the classroom using authentic teaching material. Structures and vocabulary are adapted to the lower levels and become progressively more complex. At advanced levels different types of text are used to encourage the recognition and reproduction of different language styles.

The Italian teachers

Native Italian speakers —We place great emphasis on our selection and training of teachers. We look for lively, well-educated, motivated, interesting people who will be capable of motivating all their students. They must be native Italian speakers and have a University degree; in addition, they have prepared themselves for their inter-cultural task through intensive studies covering various topic areas; they have been trained in both traditional and more modern teaching methods and frequently use role-play, rythm excercises and word games.

Italian course levels

There are 5 different levels of Italian. —Students have to pass an entry test, written and oral, to be placed in the right level.

Basic ( beginner ) - This course is designated for those students who are beginning Italian for the first time. By the end of the course, students will be able to form some of the basic structures in Italian and will have a basic knowledge of the Italian culture.

Level 2 ( elementary ) - This course is designed for those students who already have a previous knowledge of some of the basic structures in Italian. By the end of the program, students will have increased their level of grammar and vocabulary so they can express themselves functionally according to different contexts. They will also have a greater awareness of italian culture and society.

Level 3 ( intermediate ) - This course is designed for students having a general command of the more complex structures in the Italian language and a good vocabulary base. By the end of the course, students will be able to use their Italian more fluently and will have a greater understanding of the Italian way of life. The course attempts to improve the student's understanding of the linguistic and extra-linguistic structures in Italian.

Level 4 ( advanced ) - This course is designed for students possessing a solid knowledge of the Italian culture and are able to perform at a communicative level. By the end of the course, students will have gained a wider knowledge of the Italian culture and will be more proficient at expressing ideas at an abstract level.

Level 5 ( proficiency ) - This course is designated for those students with a high command of the Italian language. Special emphasis is placed on perfecting the student's oral and writing skills and also in developing a global perspective of the Italian culture in relation to the student's particular field of interest.

Teaching materials

Textbooks, excercises, homework— We developed a highly effective teaching system which has been made into a series of text