Answer
How much Italian can I expect
to learn during the courses?
Obviously this depends on the level of Italian already known,
and the amount of time you spend with us. As all our courses are
specifically planned to meet the needs of our students, and all
lessons are held in the Italian language, you can be sure to
learn the most amount of the Italian that you require, in the
time given.
What’s the weather like in Italy?
The summer months are very warm throughout Italy. The south is
always a few degrees warmer than the Centre and the North. The
average temperatures for the summer are between 18°C – 30°C
(64°F – 86°F), and for the winter 4°C – 16°C (39°F – 61°F).
During the winter it is best to bring warm clothes, also for
wearing around the house, as Italians tend to turn off the
heating at night, due to the high costs.
What is the time difference in Italy?
Italy is on the Middle European Time (MET). Rome is 1 hour ahead
of London, 6 hours ahead of New York, and 8 hours behind Japan.
During the summer months (March-October) the clocks are set one
hour forward.
When are the shops open?
Most shops are open between 9:30-13:00 and 15:30-19:30. During
the summer, many shops stay open all day during the week, but
close Saturday afternoon and Monday morning, but this differs
from shop to shop. On Sundays, shops and banks are closed all
day, so it is a good idea to make arrangements if you arrive on
Sunday.
Where can I go for medical help?
The First Aid (Pronto Soccorso) service at the hospital is free
for anyone who needs it. In the city-centre there is always one
chemist open 24-hours. Chemists take it in turns for this
24-hour service, but the timetable is clearly shown outside each
one.
How can I travel around Italy?
Siena is linked to Florence, Pisa and Rome by train and bus.
Special discounts on trains are sometimes available for
Under-26s. It is possible also to buy a season ticket, saving
you money on your travel. Siena is also very close to the main
motorway system, making it easy to travel around during your
stay. Cars are not allowed in the city-centre, and parking is
outside, but the city is small and it is easy to travel around
on foot.
Pre-Departure Checklist
Valid Passport/ID card
Visa (If required – not for EU citizens) – Check with Italian
Embassy.
Tickets/Reservations
Insurance Documents
Money/Traveller’s Cheques/Credit Cards - It is a good idea to
change money once in Italy (commission rates are lower in
banks), but to bring some cash for the first few days.
Any medicine or prescriptions
E111 Form (EU citizens only)
Necessary plug adaptors for electrical goods - Italy has a
220volts/AC system, and the 2pin plug system
What happens if I want to
change class?
It is no problem if the student want to change class at any
time. It is important for the students to be happy with the
level and rate of progress of the class and if the students are
not happy for any reason, they can speak to their teacher or the
Director of Studies.
What is Continuous Enrolment?
Continuous enrolment means that it is possible to start and stop
any week. We have a system where the syllabus is divided into
separate weekly modules. Each teacher is given a study program
that should be covered for each level so the Director of Studies
knows exactly what the students are doing. She also visits every
class each week to check the levels and the students’ progress.
How is it possible to start on any Monday?
On Mondays all classes start (and end) 1 hour later than usual
so that there is time for all new students to be given a full
placement test before the classes start. The weekly module
starts on Monday and ends on Friday. There is some time
allocated for special requests and to revise topics that the
teacher feels need further practice.
How can I be sure that they I'm making
progress?
Students benefit from intensive classes and their progress is
measured and evaluated on a weekly basis. And, every two weeks
they are given a little test to verify that they have understood
all the concepts, functions and vocabulary covered in that
period. During this time, they are also given an opportunity to
revise and to deal with any specific areas of interest or
difficulty. This constant monitoring of the students’ progress
ensures their confidence and success. Because of the tightly
structured syllabus, it is also easy to change a level without
losing any time or repeating the same aspects of the course.
How will they be placed in class?
New students are tested on their first day, Monday, at 8:00 am
and start their lessons at 10:00 am. The test is multiple choice
in format. Each student also has a short oral assessment to
check his/her communicative ability. There are eight different
levels and usually 2 levels within each of those as in 1A and
1B, 2A and 2B, and so on. This makes it possible to place
students within the right group for their level.
What teaching methods are used?
The classes are full immersion in that only Italian will be
spoken by the teacher in class and students are politely but
strongly dissuaded from speaking their mother tongue in class.
All four language skills will be explored in class—speaking,
listening, writing and reading. Emphasis is placed on speaking
and listening for most classes, while written work is usually
done as homework and checked by the teacher.
Is there special examination preparation?
The school offers students the opportunity to sit an exam after
completion of the third level or after completion of the sixth
level. Otherwise students can sit the PLIDA (Progetto Lingua
Italiana Dante Alighieri) which is offered at 4 levels on
specific dates in November and May every year. There is a
special examination course offered for preparation for the
PLIDA. (more info)
Cost living Siena
Food and drinks come in all price ranges, from reasonably priced
eateries to fine dining.
The following can be used as reference for food costs:
one loaf of bread: 1.40 euro;
250 gr. of butter: 1.40 euro;
one litre of milk: 1.30 euro;
one litre of mineral water: 30-50 cents;
one ca of Coke: 1.50;
one bottle of beer:1.80 euro
Complete lunch in an average restaurant will cost about
20.00/25.00 euro,
Typical italian breakfast of a pastry and coffee or cappuccino
costs about 2,00 euro,
Delicious italian gelato (ice-cream) costs 1,70 euro.
If you feel like having a snack, there are plenty of cheap
pizzerias, where a slice of pizza costs about 1.10 to 1.50 euro.
A local phone call costs 0.30 cents, and a cinema ticket will
cost 6.00 euro.
A full cycle of washing, including drying, at the launderette,
costs 6.00 euro.
Urban bus is 90 cents for a one-way trip, while a monthly pass
will cost 24.00 euro.
Entry VISAS and long-term
permit
Nationals of a European Union member State (Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and The United
Kingdom), as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, must
register at the Foreign Office of the main Siena police station
(Questura). Nationals of these countries do not require a visa
for entry into Italy.
All other students must obtain a study visa from their Italian
Embassy. They may either request a 'Visto Schengen Uniforme -
Tipo C', valid for up to 90 days, or a 'Visto Nazionale - Tipo
D', valid for more than 90 days.
Within eight days of their entry into Italy, non-EU citizens
must apply for a long-term stay permit (permesso di soggiorno)
at the Foreign Office of the main Siena police station
(Questura).
Students should be in possession of the
following when requesting the permit:
pre-enrolment certificate issued by the Soc.Dante Alighieri -
Siena Committee;
passport or other valid identification document;
three passport-size photographs;
receipt of payment for lodging;
health insurance (see below);
one revenue stamp (marca da bollo) for the value of 10.33 Euro.
Students must also demonstrate that they have sufficient means
to pay for their stay in Italy.
School procedure for VISA'S
For students who require VISA's, here is some information on
School Policy and Procedure and an easy Step-by Step Guide when
applying for VISA's:
Enrol and pay the full cost of tuition fees in full and also the
accommodation fee, see our website for different methods of
payments;
We will send you a Certificate of Enrolment by post with the
necessary details required by the Italian Consulate;
Federal express cost (Euro 35,00) will be added to the fees;
Apply for a VISA for Study Reasons at the Italian Consulate
giving them our Certificate;
If they give you the VISA you will come to Siena and attend our
course; please take note that we must inform the Foreigners
Police Office of Siena if one of our students doesn't attend our
course without a specific reasons (i.e. health problems);
If the VISA is refused, they will return to you our certificate;
You need to return to us by post the original Certificate of
Enrolment;
Once we have received the Certificate, we will refund you the
fee in total for the Tuition and Accommodation.
