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 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...

  
   

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.
 

 


 

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

 

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
Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri (CLIDA), founded in 1965, is Italy's first private Italian language school specializing in the instruction of Italian language and culture to foreigners - both students and professionals alike.

CLIDA offers a wide range of courses in the world's most popular Italian-speaking regions. As our previous students from around the world can confirm, you can always rely on the quality of our teaching, the services we provide and the school's resources.

The school uses it own teaching methods and texts, which have been developed and perfected by the school's professors and staff. CLIDA's teaching methods and materials are used in all its schools in Florence, Rome and Greece. Learn more about our teaching methods and levels... 

In Spring 2006, a new CLIDA branch will be open in the city of Treviso. Soon, other schools will be available in other towns.


DIRECTORS
The directors of the CLIDA in Florence are Dr. Gabriella Accorti Materassi and Dr. Alberto Materassi. The husband-and-wife team founded the school and has been fully devoted to it throughout the years. Alberto, Gabriella, and their son, Stefano, ensure high academic standards are maintained while creating cultural courses and recreational activities that are both fun and beneficial. Thanks to them, CLIDA students and faculty can be considered one large family!

STAFF & CLASSROOMS
The school resides in a 19th-century building facing the Piazza della Repubblica, the heart of Florence's historic center. All members of the CLIDA administrational staff are highly attentive and speak at least 3 languages to accommodate a wide variety of students.

CLIDA is made up of 16 large, air-conditioned classrooms equipped for television and video viewing, two large rooms equipped with stereo-sound video projectors and a large salon for recitals and lectures. Several well-equipped classrooms are also available for one-on-one courses. Plus, ample space is available for students to relax, study and socialize between lessons. The school also hosts a wireless Internet hub for students to connect to the World Wide Web.

METHOD & LEVELS
After decades of study and successful instruction to a vast range of students, the Centro Linguistico Italiano Dante Alighieri (CLIDA) has devised an effective teaching method leading to immediate results in learning the Italian language.

Through teaching Italian grammar, then putting it to use immediately in conversational techniques, such as dialogues, question-and-answer, asking for information, etc., students learn quickly and retain lessons longer. Gradually, students increase their individual Italian vocabulary as well as their knowledge of common Italian expressions and workplace language.

FACULTY
All CLIDA teachers are university graduates, specialized in their field and have extensive experience teaching the Italian language to foreigners. Whether in the individual or group courses, the teaching techniques our faculty use allow for rapid and lasting results.

TEACHING MATERIALS
All teaching materials, such as texts, exercises, presentations, etc., are the result of the collaboration of CLIDA academic faculty and their years of teaching experience. CLIDA textbooks are also used in numerous private language institutes and universities throughout Italy, Europe and North America. View CLIDA’s textbooks online here: http://www.ciellei.it/ 

Curriculum

The program is developed in progressive stages that focus on learning the essential and most important elements according to the student's level. For this reason students won't be left behind or feel discouraged, but will instead gain a rapid and lasting knowledge of the language.

Directed conversation, together with reading passages and oral comprehension tests, will increase one's vocabulary and ability to communicate fluently day by day. Correct pronunciation is developed by phonetic exercises under the guidance of specialist teachers in our professional language lab. Daily exercises in classes of small groups allow the teacher to follow and appraise each student individually.

CLIDA LEVELS
CLIDA's language courses are divided into three levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. Each level is then subdivided into three further levels. This wide range of classes at different levels means that students can join the level most suited to their needs based on their placement test results.

All group courses are available in all nine levels. Each group course lasts four weeks, although some Italian languages courses have a minimum of two weeks.

Level 1 —Beginner	Articles, simple and articulated prepositions, regular and the most common irregular plurals, possessive adjectives, demonstratives Present, present perfect and future of the three regular conjugations and of the most common irregular verbs Demonstrative pronouns and agreement with the past participle; reflexive pronouns, interrogative pronouns; Direct and indirect personal pronouns Basic vocabulary; Everyday conversation
Level 2 —Beginner	Comparative and superlative Direct, indirect and reflexive personal pronouns plus, "lo, la, li, le, ne"; Uses of "ci" and "ne" Imperfect and use of the indicative Four tenses of the subjunctive in the most simple forms and uses Remaining difficult plurals; Vocabulary and reading Preparation for Beginner level certification (CLIDA S1)
Level 3 —Beginner	Hypothetic conditional sentences and uses of the remote past Further uses of the subjunctive with the most common conjunctions Exercises in the use of moods and tenses Compositions, vocabulary, conversation, expressions; Reading from literary texts Preparation for Professional certification (CLIDA P3)
Level 4 —Intermediate	Remaining uses of the subjunctive with conjunctions. The indefinite. Exercises on the use of moods and tenses. Remaining double pronouns. Imperative, positive, negative and pronominal; Gerund, participles, infinitives; Passive forms and idiomatic expressions Reading from literary texts, discussions, compositions and summary Preparation for Intermediate level certification (CLIDA S2)
Level 5 —Intermediate	Clause analysis, direct and indirect speech, syntax, diminutives Nouns with double plurals, plural of compound nouns Prepositions and how they are used with verbs and adjectives Exercises in the use of moods and tenses Compositions, summarizing, paraphrasing, reading, language exercises, discussions. Preparation for Professional level certification (CLIDA P5)
Level 6 —Intermediate	Grammar revision with the active participation of students Paraphrasing; Practical exercises of all types Translations with a monolingual dictionary Oral examination Grammar and syntax; readings, lanuage exercises, conversation Preparation for Advanced level certification (CLIDA S3) Preparation for Commercial Tourist level certification (CLIDA TC)
Level 7 —Advanced	Exercises in language, paraphrases. Reading and comprehension of newspaper articles Compositions Translations with re-elaboration of the corrected text
Level 8 —Advanced	Paraphrasing Readings from literature, composition and translation with re-elaboration of the corrected text Syntax and language Reading, language exercises, conversation Preparation for Superior level certification (CLIDA S4)
Level 9 —Advanced	Paraphrasing, readings from literature Composition and translation with re-elaboration of the corrected text Syntax and language; readings, language exercises Preparation for final examination for CLIDA diploma (CLIDA DA)

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!