WHAT WE LIKE about this program! - Bustling medieval city, alternative to Florence - Well-established school, 30 years of experience - Stunning view and architecture

Enjoy an Italian language course in Italy at our language school in the city of Siena.

Siena is a bustling medieval city of brick, which has been an economic center since the 12th century. The city is also known as the city of the Blessed Virgin and of its heraldic symbol the "Balzana", the white and black. This proud city offers dozens of Gothic palaces and pastry shops galore, unseen neighborhood rivalries, and pieces of unsurpassed beauty.

Many buildings were created in Sienese Gothic style, giving this town its distinctive style. The she-wolf is the city's emblem, a holdover from its days as Saena Julia, the Roman colony founded by Augustus about 2,000 years ago (though the official Sienese myth has the town founded by the sons of Remus, younger brother of Rome's legendary forefather).

SCHOOL FACILITIES - Large bright classrooms and cafeteria serving hot & cold food - Computer lab with Internet access - Central downtown location

Our school was founded in 1979 and is located in the heart of this charming medieval city. The area around the school boasts many beautiful architectural and historical sights and is close to most facilities. The school building is typical of the local architecture and is decorated in local pastel colors and has a beautiful school courtyard.

Since 1990, the school has represented the Siena Committee of the non-profit making cultural organization Società Dante Alighieri, founded in Rome in 1889 with the aim of promoting and sustaining the knowledge of Italian language and culture throughout the world.

PROGRAM BASICS - Open to all language levels, Choice of 15, 20 or 23 lessons weekly - Small class sizes, Max. 12 students per class - Fun, engaging classes with focus on communication

Holiday: (15 lessons per week).
Minimum course length 4 weeks.

Standard: (20 lessons per week).
Minimum course length 2 weeks.

Combined: (15 lessons + 8 private per week).

All students take a short test on the first day to ensure accurate placement. Teachers are native speakers and many are university educated with years of teaching experience. Our program is open to all language levels with strong emphasis on oral communication. In addition to standard materials, teachers may use audio / video equipment, songs and local newspapers to help students learn and make the class more interesting.

Every 2 weeks students will take a progress test to verify that they have understood all the material covered and deal with any specific areas of interest or difficulty.

NOTE: The school offers students the opportunity to write an exam after completion of the third or sixth level. The school runs preparation courses for the Progetto Lingua Italiana Dante Alighieri (P.L.I.D.A.) language examination, which is internationally recognized and accredited. The course runs for 2 weeks prior to the exam dates usually May & November each year and consists of 15 hours per week of specific preparation classes in small groups of maximum 4 students (total 30 hours). Please contact us for further details.

After class is over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions and everyday life.

Examples of typical cultural opportunities: Italian films, lectures on various aspects of Sienese / Italian culture (for example, the history of Siena and the Palio, Italian Opera, music, politics, fashion etc.), excursions to places of relevant cultural interest and guided tours of Siena.

Weekend excursions could include: Battistero di S.Giovanni, Museo Bologna Buonsignori, Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana, Palazzo Chigi Saracini, Torre del Mangia, weekly street market, Tour of Siena on Horseback, trekking in Siena, walking to explore art and scenery.

> Plan a group language program at this location! > GSA Advantage for US Government & Military personnel > Study & Live with your own private language teacher > 3 Italian cities in 3 months - study in Florence/Rome/Capo > Italian programs for children & teens

Host Family: (private room, 2 meals daily)
Double rooms may be available for students travelling together only.

Living with a local host family is the most effective way to become fully immersed in the language and culture. All families are carefully selected and visited regularly to ensure quality standards. We choose only quality families who have a genuine interest in international exchange. Many families live near the school and the commute is usually no more than 20-30 minutes.

Self Catering Apartments: (private or shared room, no meals)
Apartments are located within the same distance as the host families (many are closer) and are shared with other students. Apartments are co-ed, however, bedrooms are same-gender. The apartments include a well-equipped kitchen, shared bathroom and living areas. They vary in location, size and number of bedrooms, but expect to share with 1-7 other students. Apartments do not have AC but do have fans and will be cleaned once a week. Laundry is not available in the apartments, but there is a Laundromat nearby.

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"Prices & Start Dates" button below. If you have any additional questions, please CONTACT US!