italian language school

In accordance with the European Council of the European Committee of Languages, the following new subdivisions for the PLIDA Certificate Levels have been drawn up:

The method is based on a communicative approach that offers the students the necessary structures that enables them to communicate immediately in real life situations, after the first week of lessons.  Special attention is given to applying the communicative functions of being involved, motivated and focusing on the authenticity of various situations and interactions in class. The grammar is offered in an inductive way with first the explanation of the grammar rules and then methods of how to use and reinforce these structures. Each grammar subject is divided into units therefore, each specific use of the grammar content is not only studied but rather a vast knowledge in general is given of how to use the grammar content.  The more complex subjects are then studied in-depth in higher and in more difficult levels. There is also information on the Italian way of life and the Italian culture through an analysis of various types of social-linguistic texts. However, not only standard Italian is studied but also a particular attention to neo-standard Italian, and other varieties such as slang, bureaucratic and specific language terminology. Every level is based in two parts and lasts 4 weeks. The syllable offers communicative functions, lexical learning and grammar contents every week. At the end of every, level phonetic elements and orthography are offered and studied.

FIRST SCHOOL DAY

Most students arrive in Siena on the Sunday before their course starts. Starting Monday morning, you will be met by Alessandra MUZZI, our Director of Studies, who will ask you about your knowledge of Italian. You will find the school at Via Tommaso Pendola,37 (click here to see the map). On your first day you should come to school at 8.00, when you will be given a written and oral test to check your level of knowledge before starting classes at 10.00. Lessons finish at 13.30 (standard, intensive and super intensive) or 12.20 (basic). In the afternoon there will be an orientation tour around the city in the afternoon for all our students. One of our teachers will show you the main sights, useful places (post office, banks, etc.) and our school premises. This is the first important meeting in your social programme.

DIDACTIC PROGRAM

Our didactic program is composed of: 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.