Italian Course Program in Florence

Communication is the basis for our teaching method; during the Italian lessons there is constant practice of the four fundamental functions of the language - listening, speaking reading and writing. Particular attention is paid to conversation in order to develop the ability to interact effectively from the first days in real situations.

The method also provides study of the Italian grammar and syntax which we regard as imperative for the complete mastery of the language.

Our Italian language school produces workbooks which serve as an outline for the teachers; the teaching materials used are for the most part authentic, occasionally edited for the lower levels. In the higher levels, the use of varied teaching materials encourages the recognition and the reproduction of the various different types and styles of the Italian language.

The Italian Teachers

As our students come from all over the world, they have very different motivations, previous scholastic experience, ways of learning and even school types. This situation demands continuous updating of methods and materials as well as mental flexibility and creativity.

Test

Entrance test is made up of two parts: a written section and an oral section. The test results are used to gage the level of communication skills and the classes are made accordingly.

Mid course verifications: are done periodically with the aim (dictated by the Quality System ISO 9001 to which the school belongs) of constantly checking the learning process, and ensuring that the objectives set out for each level are being reached.

Certificates and Exams

Attendance Certificate: At the completion of the Italian course, a certificate is emitted with the course dates, number of hours studied and the level obtained.

Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language (CILS): Our Italian school is a centre for the preparation for the exam CILS from the University for Foreigners of Sienna. The exam can be set for one of four levels and the certificate is recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Italian Group Courses

Centro Machiavelli – TANDEM Florence offers 4 types of Italian language courses:

• Intensive Italian Course of 4 lessons a day divided into two modules, the first focusing on grammar and syntax and the second on oral expression and comprehension;
• A Semi-Intensive Italian Course of 2 lessons a day, created to fill language gaps in either oral or written expression;
• A Superintensive Italian Course of 6 lessons; 4 lessons are the same as the Intensive Italian Course and the last two are mainly dedicate to oral expression and comprehension or to the development of specific cultural themes;
• An Italian Course for «the over 50's Generation» of 3 lessons a day which differs from the others in that participants plan the program with the teacher to decide on a pace and syllabus which suit their needs and ability.

Individual Italian Courses

The Individual Italian Courses were created to meet the needs of specific interests, professional or otherwise:

• Business Italian: 10 lessons over two weeks;
• History of Art: 10 lessons over two weeks, includes lessons in class with the use of slides and videos and guided visits to the works of art studied;
• Individual Italian language lessons for those with little time on their hands to study the language or those who have specific professional or study interests and wish to learn terms and structures related to their field.

Learn Italian in Florence, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy

Winding your way through the narrow medieval streets, and along the banks of the Arno, stopping to look at the prestigious monuments from the Duomo to the Church of Santa Croce, from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti with the Boboli Gardens, from Ponte Vecchio to the Uffizi Gallery; from the Medici Chapels to the Church of Santo Spirito, letting yourself be charmed by the beauty of the Primavera by Botticelli, by Michelangelo's David you can capture the essence of Florence: its history, its charm, its beauty.

These are just some of the reason why millions of people every year visit Florence, the city of the Renaissance.

To appreciate it in it's modern-day context you must however abandon this touristic and artistic dimension in which the city is immersed and experience the cultural social and economic vibrancy of its neighbourhoods, with their street markets, shops, restaurants and meeting points. These qualities combined with strong Italian and international spirit have always made Florence a flourishing cultural and multicultural centre of importance for art, crafts, music, fashion.

Why learn Italian in Florence

Florence and Tuscany receive young people from all around the world who come to study Italian language and culture, following programs involving history of art, fine arts, arts and crafts, cooking, fashion and design.

All of Tuscany, birthplace of the Italian language and of Italian culture and one of the major melting pots of modern European culture, was and is a workshop of extraordinary artistic and cultural production which has always been an influence throughout the continent and continues to be so today.