Easy Languages

School

Location

Bologna is a historical city, with around 380,000 inhabitants. It is a gorgeous Northern Italian city, famed for the oldest university in the Western world, lively student population, exquisite food (la cucina Bolognese), typical brick terracotta-roofed architecture and porticoes, theatre and nightlife.

Admired by visitors for centuries, this unique example of architectural harmony has recently been submitted for nomination as a World Heritage Site.

School

Our partner offers top quality teaching and a friendly learning environment for adults aged 17 years and up. It is a school that specializes in teaching the Italian language to overseas students. It was founded in 1999 with the simple goal of providing participants with a comprehensive educational and cultural experience, within a friendly and encouraging environment.

The school is a traditional family run institution fully accredited (IALC, CSN, Bildungsurlaub, Eduitalia, Alto) where teachers and staff respect your commitment to your education and take pride in your achievements. It is also an official recognized CILS examination centre which offers courses in small classes (average 4 participants, maximum 8) and individual attention. The establishment has 2 buildings with 13 comfortable classrooms.

You have the opportunity to meet Italian people in a relaxed and friendly learning atmosphere with an integrated social programme and cultural activities. The teachers are all native speakers.

There is also a wide selection of resources at your disposal including up-to-date books, CD’s, multimedia materials and Wi-Fi. The school is very easy to reach by the public transport, international airport and railway station.

Activities

As well as teaching Italian we also organise social and cultural activities to help make communication easier in normal everyday situations. The learning process focuses entirely on your needs as a student, your way of learning, and the classroom activities you like best.

Although, most of the activities are free, some require a small charge for admission, tickets or transport. These are organised on a pay-as-you-go basis. Our activities offer an ideal opportunity to explore the city and surroundings and to meet new friends. All events are supervised and accompanied by our partner’s staff.

Cultural and social activities include: walking tours of Bologna, cinema, museums and galleries visits, welcome party, cooking classes, ice skating, barbecue, dinner out, etc.

We also organise culture classes (wine, cuisine, language) and half and full-day excursions to towns and places of interest outside Bologna: Ferrara, Ravenna, Mantova, Verona, Parma, San Marino, Dozza, Venezia, etc.

Courses

Our Italian courses are designed for all foreigners wishing to approach our language and increase their knowledge of it for personal or professional reasons. New sessions start every Monday, except for beginners who start at the first Monday of each month. Courses take place from Monday to Friday. An excursion and activity programme is included.

All of our teachers tailor their teaching as far as possible to the needs of each and every student. All levels are accepted. The Italian course is organised by level to respond to the different needs of the participants. On the first day the student is asked to take a test to determine his level. Each class is 60 minutes long. Duration: from 2 weeks.

• Standard – 22 lessons
  
  We recommend this course to participants who wish to learn the language and absorb the culture naturally. It consists of 20 morning classes plus 2 afternoon workshops per week. This course offers 4 lessons per day, from 9.00am to 1.00pm, plus 2 lessons (2 afternoons from 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm)
  
  
• Combined – 20 lessons + 5 private tuition
  
  This course consists of morning classes plus one private lesson in the afternoon. The private lessons give students the opportunity to concentrate on their own individual needs and interests. The course consists of 25 lessons per week, from 9.00am to 1.00pm in the morning and 2.00pm to 3.00pm in the afternoon.
• Intensive – 30 lessons
  
  This course is recommended to those who wish to stay for a short term course. The main emphasis is on practical communication to build up the vocabulary and help to develop fluency and confidence. Participants are given plenty of opportunities to practice the spoken Italian language through discussions, debates and conversation activities, such as role-play. This course consists of 4 morning classes plus two lessons in the afternoon: from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm in the morning and 2.00pm to 4.00pm in the afternoon.
• CILS exam preparation – 6 weeks
  
  This course prepares students for the official CILS exam (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language), which can be taken at six different levels. This preparation course lasts six weeks and consists of four hours of lessons per day for the first four weeks, and six hours of lessons per day for the last two weeks. Attending this course gives you the chance to take an official exam.
• One-to-one tuition
  
  This is the most personalized option – a class entirely taken as individual lessons (10, 20 or 30 hours). The programme is based completely on your individual needs and will adapt to take account your language development. Experience tells us that this type of course guarantees the very best of results and progress. Both the content and timing of this course can be adapted completely to suit the requirements of the student.
• One-to-one Business
  
  This 10, 20 or 30 hour individual course is ideal for those who need to develop their Italian for business purposes. Both the content of the course and the starting date can be adapted to the demands of the profession: business, law, architecture, tourism, etc.

"Circuit - Italian on the road" programme (intermediate level)

This truly unique and exclusive programme combines the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful cities of Italy with daily Italian lessons “on the road”. The programme will start in Bologna with stops in the main cities and towns of Art of North and Centre Italy, in Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio. It consists of one or two Italian language course week(s) in Bologna plus one week of tour. The programme includes 15 lessons of Italian, guided visits throughout the country with a private bus, accommodation in 3 stars hotels, twin room, with half board.

Accommodation

• Shared Apartment

Most of our apartments are located in the centre of Bologna, allowing you to reach the school within 10-15 minutes. The single rooms are furnished (or double if you book with a friend). Students share the communal areas. This option allows you to live independently but also in contact with Italians. Cleaning services are not included.

• Student House

This is a modern house located in a quiet residential part of the city about 400 meters from the school and the centre. We found out that our students enjoy the pleasant and friendly atmosphere there. They live independently and meet new friends. They can choose to stay in a single or a shared bedroom. Bathrooms and showers are shared. Students can prepare their own meals in the well-equipped kitchen. TV, air conditioning and Wi-fi internet included. Multiple shops and markets are at walking distance. Bed linen are provided, and you can use the washing machine.

• Host Family

All of our host families are carefully selected and are checked regularly. This option includes half-board (breakfast and dinner). Students eat a main meal with the family and are therefore brought naturally into contact with everyday Italian life. Cleaning and laundry services are included.

Prices & Dates

Prices include:

• The chosen course programme
• The accommodation within a host family (half board), a shared apartment or a student house (no meals)
• Course materials
• All administrative fees
• Placement test
• Certificate of attendance
  

They do not include:

• Transportation
• Transfer from the airport
• The optional examination fees

Dates 2012

Programmes run all year long. Courses start every Monday, except for beginners who start at the first Monday of each month.

The examination preparation programme starts at the following dates: 23/04, 22/10. The exam takes place: 7/06 or 6/12.

The "Circuit" programme takes place during the summer only (upon request)

The school is closed during Christmas holidays, from 17/12/2012 to 06/01/2013.

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport or train station: Bologna
• An (optional) transfer is available between airport and accommodation - see price table.

If you prefer, we can book your flights for you. This must be made clear at the moment of enrolment.

If you intend to book your own flight, try to arrive the Sunday before the start of your course and leave the Saturday following its end.

Visa Information

EU residents do not normally need a Visa to enter Italy.

Citizens of other countries, such as the USA, Brazil, Japan, Korea, etc, can stay in Italy without a Visa for up to 3 months.

If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a Student Visa (type D) before arriving.

Students coming from such countries must acquaint themselves with the visa application procedures involved at their local Italian Embassy or Consulate.