Our General Italian courses are designed to provide the opportunity to attend top-quality Italian language classes while enjoying all that the fascinating city of Siracusa has to offer.
Each course is in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (A1 – beginners to C1 advanced).
Whether you are an absolute beginner or a fluent speaker, we will offer you a course that reflects your personal needs. All our courses are based on the communicative method, giving you the opportunity to practise your spoken Italian, develop your comprehension of the language, extend your use of vocabulary and enhance your understanding of grammatical structure.
Course Description
- Weekly lessons: 20 lessons (15 hours)
- Group Size: 4 Students (average), 9 students (max.)
- Course Duration: from 1 to 48 weeks (long-term discounts apply). Students may join our courses every Monday all year-round.
- Class Hours: Weekly schedule: 9.00 – 12.30 from Monday to Friday (4 x 45-minutes lessons per day)
Students who attend our general Italian course can also choose each day from a wide range of optional afternoon, evening and weekend activities. A 25% discount is applied to the standard pricing of any private lessons added to the General Italian course.
Our Intensive Italian courses are designed to provide the opportunity to improve fast your Italian language skills, in the enchanting surroundings of the city of Siracusa. Our school and our city have already been described by so many of our students as the ideal place to study Italian, thanks to its quiet, friendly atmosphere and fascinating history and charm. Come join them in your journey learning Italian in Italy.
Course Description
Course structure: 30 lessons (22.5 hours)
- 4 group lessons per day + 2 private lessons per day
- Supervised study support and additional academic resources are available to students taking the intensive course
Group Size: 4 students (average); 9 students (max)
Private lessons: students may choose which topics to focus on; max. 2 students at the same level
Course Duration: from 1 to 48 weeks. Long-term discounts apply. Students may start our courses every Monday all year-round.
Class Hours: Monday to Friday = 9.00 – 12.30 (group lessons) /13.30 – 15.00 (private lessons)
Students who attend our Intensive Italian course can also choose each week from a wide range of optional afternoon, evening and weekend activities and join our free tandem language exchange program with local students.
PATHWAY PROGRAMS AND FOUNDATION YEAR TO ACCESS ITALIAN UNIVERSITY
Our Long-term Italian courses are addressed to students who wish to dedicate an extended period to the study of Italian language and culture.
Students enrolling in our Long-term courses avail of special reduced rates. These courses include 20 lessons per week of group classes (3 hours per day) and are accompanied by an optional program of cultural events, sports, and excursions. Academic electives, such as art and literature courses (which draw upon the rich setting and cultural heritage of the city of Siracusa), are offered for students who already have a specific academic objective such as enrolment in an Italian university program.
Depending on their starting level, students may aim to acquire a basic knowledge of the Italian language or enhance and perfect their previous knowledge of the language. Attending a full-immersion intensive course it is generally possible for dedicated students to achieve a B2 or C1 level (required for university applications) from beginner level within a 6-9 month period.
The Italian Academy is an accredited centre of the University of Siena. Our long-term students who wish to follow specific examination courses may prepare and sit CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come to lingua Straniera – Certification of Italian as a foreign language) examinations at levels from A1 to C2 of the CEFR, which is the most widely accepted Italian language certification in Italy and abroad by universities, employers and governmental institutions.
Students who have a C1 certified level of Italian can prepare and take the DITALS (Certificazione di Competenza in Didattica dell’ Italiano a Stranieri – Certification of Italian language teaching to foreigners ) examination which includes a 24-hour specific teacher training course and 60 hours of classroom teaching practice.
