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.

 

CIAO !

if you are searching among Italian courses in Italy and among the different Italian language schools in Italy and you are looking for study abroad programs and a course of Italian in Sicily, then we have it! Please, read what follows to know more about our school of Italian and our Italian language courses in Sicily, Taormina.

Our Italian courses can be language courses in a group or private language courses. Our Italian language school in Taormina, Sicily, offers study stays from one week up to one year! We can assist you in finding accommodation in Taormina

If, beyond a full immersion study abroad stay, you also want a full cultural experience, we offer a wider choice of culture courses from which to choose:

· cooking courses
· arts & crafts: ceramics, painting, sculpture and wood restoration courses
· Italian literature courses
· Italian history courses
· art history courses

Or, maybe you prefer something more active, dynamic, sporty? Then you can choose from:

· eco-tours
· sport & adventure
· golf

On the other hand, if you need courses for specific purposes, we can offer:
· business & executives courses
· commercial correspondence

With our Italian language courses we offer a program of social and cultural activities

Beyond all of that, our Italian language programs are officially recognized by:

· THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
· A.S.I.L.S. - Associazione delle Scuole di Italiano come Lingua Seconda -, the only one south of Naples
· I.A.L.C - International Association of Language Centres -, the only one south of Rome

And our School of Italian has signed agreements with:

· UNIVERSITY FOR FOREIGNERS of PERUGIA as Official Authorised Exam Centre for CELI Exams - Certificato di lingua italiana. The CELI exam is conform to the ALTE- Association of Language Testers in Europe – directives on the European standards fixed by the European Council. The exam sessions are in June and November
· UNIVERSITY "Ca’Foscari” of VENEZIA as authorized language centre for the apprenticeship of ITALS Master for teachers of Italian as foreign/second language


Do you already know our town, Taormina, and our island, Sicily?

Taormina has very ancient origins: in its Bay of Naxos, in 735 b.C., the first Greek colonizers landed and founded their first colony (Naxos) which was later to become the Magna Grecia. After them, whoever ruled over the Mediterranean Sea left their “footprints” on this wonderful island. Would you like to know Taormina a little bit better? Click on Taormina and have a look at our photo album and, if you have time, go for a virtual walk in town among its monuments, its history and its beaches.

Taormina can also be the basis for a trip in Sicily to discover the roots of the Sicily's culture and traditions. As W. J. Goethe wrote in 1786: "Without Sicily, Italy cannot be fully understood. It is here one finds the key to all things.”. Sicily has been at the centre of the Mediterranean See, and therefore of the European interests, for more than 2.000 years, until the “discovery” of the New World.

At the time of Dante Alighieri there was already a discussion among academics about which should be the national Italian language: that of the writers and poets of the courts of Frederick II or that of the court of the Medici in Florence. Then the divine Comedy was written and this put an end to the discussion… But it is in Sicily that the national theatre has its origins, with the tragedies written by Eschilo, Euripide, Aristofane. It is here that the genius of Archimedes anticipated the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. And it was the culture of the Magna Grecia that fed the Etruscan civilisation, first, and the Latin civilisation, afterwards, making Rome “Caput Mundi”. Click on myths of Sicily, if you want to know more about them.

Two of the Nobel Price for literature were Sicilians: Pirandello e Quasimodo. But many are the Sicilian writers who are fundamental in the history of the Italian literature: Verga, Capuana, Rosso di San Secondo e Tomasi di Lampedusa. And still nowadays the contribution of Sicily to the Italian literature is immense: : Vittorini, Sciascia, Bufalino, Consolo e Camilleri.

The same in music: from the “cantastorie” telling the stories of the French Paladins to the Opera composer Vincenzo Bellini.. The same in paintings: from Antonello da Messina to Renato Gattuso. And in fashion: from Mariella Ferrera to Dolce & Gabbana.

Not to be forgotten are also the treasures of the eno-gastronomy: from pasta alla Norma to caponatina, from cannoli to pasta reale, from Marsala wine to Malvasia.

Our Italian language courses can be the beginning of an unforgettable journey in Sicily. From Taormina, it is very easy to get to Syracuse, volcano Mount Etna, the Eolian Islands, Catania, Piazza Armerina and Noto. And, travelling a little bit further, to: Palermo, Selinunte, Segesta, Agrigento, Erice. And many more are the treasures of Sicily.

We would love to welcome you to our Italian language school in Taormina, Sicily for an unforgettable cultural and learning experience.

Ciao e… a presto!

 
   Alessandro Adorno
founder & school director


PROGRAMMA

Our Italian language course program has been developed from a communicative based approach and focuses on the four language abilities (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Our first goal is comunicazione, both oral and written. Our courses are structured to conform with the European standards set by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) and by the Council of Europe.
 

Our Standard group course is divided in two parts: 2-hours of language analysis followed by 2-hours of practice with communicative tasks. The analitical activities includes controlled oral and written production, while the communicative tasks involve listening and reading comprehension and free oral and written activities. The instructors rotate weekly to add variety and interesse to the group dynamic. Grammatical structures are presented in order of frequency and relative complexity. The material is always introduced in some form of authentic text (newspaper or magazine article, taped dialogue, video-taped situation, letter, short story, etc.). Progress is monitored and all teachers meet weekly to facilitate organization and ensure proper student placement.
 

There is a massimo number of 10 students per class, although depending on season our average class size is generally between 4 and 6 people. This limit ensures a small group environment conducive to communication and offers each student the opportunity to speak as much as possible.
 

Ranging from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, our Italian language course
program is divided into six different levels of abilità. Students may enrol in our weekly
classes for up to 6-months of coursework, depending on their goals. All students
are placed in a level based on their entrance exam (both written and oral).

Though we are somewhat flexible, we highly recommend that all students begin
on our specified start dates, which occur roughly every two weeks
(please consult Course Schedule). Absolute beginner courses start only according
to our course schedule.

Our Italian language courses are structured to conform with the European standards set by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe) and by the Council of Europe.

The Formation Program is diviso into three levels and allows students to reach the “threshold level”, the level of communicative competence according to the Modern Language Project of the Council of Europe.

Formation:

Beginner (1st level)
Intermediate (2nd level)
Superior (3rd level)

The Specialization Program is also divided into three levels and allows the students to reach a level of competenza in the Italian language which is necessary for entrance into an Italian university.

Specialization:

Advanced 1 (4th level)
Advanced 2 (5th level)
Advanced 3 (6th level)

Each level last four weeks. However, completion of a particular 4-week course does not guarantee advancement to the next level. Language learning is not a mechanical endeavour. It is an academic endeavour which also involves a personal and psychological component. Some studenti have elected to repeat a particular level or delay advancement by a week or two, so as to continue study and practice of particular structures. Since our Italian language program is developed by a communicative-based approach, our materials, activities and tasks are quite extensive and it is rare that the student will repeat the same activities, using the same materials. We have designed our program with this in mind.

Most of our students take full advantage of the authentic materiali we use in the classroom and the communicative activities and tasks we employ, which often extend out of the classroom and into the students’ free time.

Upon request, we also offer completion exams to solidify and measure progress achieved. As an accredited language institution, our school corresponds to various International continuing educational programs.


I NOSTRI INSEGNANTI

All the teachers of  our Italian language courses are university graduates and many speak at least one or two other lingue.
Most of them have studied foreign languages at università and/or language schools abroad and all have been trained to teach Italian as a second/foreign language.


As a member school of A.S.I.L.S. our teachers take advantage of the regularly scheduled teacher training seminari and workshops offered by the Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language as well as by other professional organisations.In addition, we organize our own, ongoing, in-house teacher training program.

Progress of the students is continuously monitorati and all teachers meet weekly to facilitate organization and ensure proper student placement.

We consider extremely importanti our weekly teachers' meeting during which teachers can also exchange their own experiences in class and the results of the different activities proposed to the students.

 


 

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.

 

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!

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 SCHOOLS

Both the school in Milazzo and the one in Lipari are located in the centre of town, in short walking distance from the ports. The main historical, archaeological and scenic sites, as well as the beautiful beaches, sport fields, discos, pubs, restaurants and shops, can all be easily reached from the school.

MILAZZO - SICILY

One of the most important and ancient towns in the province of Messina, it lies at the base of a long narrow peninsula that extends towards the Eolian Islands. It was founded by the Greeks of Zancle (Messina) in 716 B.C. and was called Mylae. Despite the foreign dominations that followed, it always remained a city of primary importance. Today it is the home of some interesting archaeological ruins and ancient buildings, including the imposing castle overlooking the town. Milazzo is divided into two parts: the medieval village, which is the higher and more picturesque area, and the modern centre which is particularly active due to its port that is the main link between the Eolian Islands and Sicily.

EOLIAN ISLANDS - LIPARI

Among Sicily's smaller islands, the Eolian Archipelago distinguishes itself for the extraordinary and unique characteristics of each of the seven islands, all of which are of volcanic origin.
Lipari, the most important island of the archipelago, is a concentration of natural beauty and cultural elements, settled there through the centuries, that can be rediscovered in the traditions and rhythms of the Eolian lifestyle.
Visitors can enjoy the island's unspoilt nature, sandy beaches, white as snow pumice mountains and crystal clear sea. The island's Castle, which houses one of the most important museums of the Mediterranean, offers visitors a glance at its ancient history. Attending an Italian Language and Culture Course in the Eolian Islands will allow you to fully immerse yourself into the culture, colours and flavours of the Mediterranean, making your study holiday a unique one.

 

The tradition of the Italian language began in Sicily at the court of Frederick II in the thirteenth century. Here his Sicilian School planted the roots for the Italian language, and this tradition was subsequently continued and developed in Tuscany. Here the poet Jacopo da Lentini created the poetic form of the sonnet, which was exported to the rest of Italy and later all over Europe.

Studying Italian in Sicily means discovering its artistic wealth and cultural heritage accumulated through the centuries. The University of Messina, founded in the 16th century, represents a cultural reference point not only for Sicily, but also for Italy and Europe. In 1955, in the same city of Messina, some ministers of foreign affairs, at a historical meeting, laid the foundations for the rise of the European Union.

 

THE TEACHERS

Our teachers are all university graduates, with both, qualifications in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language (DITALS) and teaching experience in Italy and abroad. In addition, they participate in various excursions and activities organised by the school for the students.
 
TEACHING MATERIALS

The teaching material, included in the cost of the courses, is carefully selected by our teachers and adapted to the various learning needs of the students.
 

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.

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.

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.”

 

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!

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.
 

 


 

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.


 

Istituto Venezia is officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education. It is a member of:

Asils  (Association of Schools for Italian as Second Language) which is partner of Elite (European Federation of National Associations for Teaching Mother Tongue to Foreign Students);
Tandem International (Network of Quality Language Institutes)
Since 1995, Istituto Venezia has been promoting and supporting the teaching of the Italian language and:

It coordinates and teaches the Venice International University's courses of Italian for foreigners (V.I.U. is Università Ca' Foscari, Istituto Universitario di Architettura, Ludwigs Maximilian Universität-Munich, Tel Aviv University, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona and Duke University).

It runs internships and stages for the Postgraduate program "Teaching Italian to Foreigners" of Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Laboratorio Itals).It selects the I.U.A.V. students who will be part of the Socrates/Erasmus study abroad program.It hosts Intercultura international association's Italian classes.

It organizes and teaches several American universities study abroad programs.The Istituto Venezia teaching staff is highly qualified. All teachers have attended special education seminars and teaching training programs, in particular the "Itals Master Program" (Italian as second language) of Ca' Foscari University. They all have a long experience as teachers of Italian to foreign students. Teachers work in team and arrange daily meeting in order to organize the different teaching sections; they regularly update the teaching material, discuss and compare different teaching techniques.

People from all over the world have been attending our courses. Every month we welcome new students at all levels and with a wide variety of needs. For the most part, they come from Europe, United States and the Far East. Of course, we also have students from South America, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

The average age of the students range from 20 to 40, but there are students of every age in the classrooms.
The teaching methodology is based upon a fully communicative approach that promotes and encourages students’ active participation. This methodology aims at developing oral and written communication skills. A wide variety of up-to-date authentic material is used in class as valuable examples of real communication, thus introducing the students to Italian culture and society.

The main communication skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - are equally investigated and gradually developed.

Most of the work in class focuses on the development of authentic communication skills, by using communication tasks and procedures based upon pair or group work; emphasis is also put on the reflection on linguistic structures and lexicon.


 

 

 

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...

  
   

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 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 textbooks. These books form the basis of most of the teaching but they are also supplemented by other material drawn from radio, TV, music, magazines, newspapers etc. The textbook contains a progressive series of lessons with integrated exercises and homework, each of which are intended to form one day's work.

Teaching material used in class and the attendance certificate given at the end of the course are included in the course fee. 

WHY CHOOSE CENTRO GIACOMO PUCCINI?

There are several reasons to choose our Centre:

Founded in 1988, we have years of experience and specialise in teaching Italian in Italy
The school is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research
The school is Officially recognized by the Swedish authorities
(Vår skola är godkänd av CSN och Högskoleverket)
A young and higly motivated professional teaching facultiy all specially trained in teaching Italian to foreigners
We are members of ASILS (Association of language schools for teaching Italian as a foreign language)
All levels of Italian offered from April to October
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
Meet students from all over the world while studying at Centro Giacomo Puccini
Friendly and helpful staff that give personal attention to each student
Access provided for handicapped students
Membership
AIL: Accademia Italiana di Lingua
ASILS: Association of language schools for teaching Italian as a foreign language
ELITE: Excellent Language Teaching Institutions in Europe

 

 

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 t