WHAT WE LIKE - Key features of this program Bustling medieval city, offering students the chance to slip into the rhythms/ atmosphere of the Tuscan Middle Ages. Cafe-lined squares, imposing Duomo, gothic palaces, cathedral, breathtaking views from the Facciatone & the overpowering fortress, gives this town its distinctive style.

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 Downtown - offers internet access in computer lab, courtyard to relax in between classes, social rooms, self-study center with library. The classrooms are large and bright, the school also has a small cafeteria serving hot and cold drinks with snacks or lunch.

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.

THE BASICS Course for all language levels - set dates for beginners - use of course materials - each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning - lessons are usually held in the mornings starting 09:00am each day - min age 18 - Max. 12 students per class - unlimited course length (minimum course length 2 weeks)

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

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

Combined: (20 lessons + 5 private per week).
Includes 2.5 hours of lessons on a conversation or cultural theme.

Teachers are native speakers and many are university educated with years of teaching experience. The classes are full immersion so only Italian will be spoken during 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.

Students benefit from intensive classes and their progress is measured and evaluated on a weekly basis. Every two weeks they are given a test to verify that they have understood all the concepts, functions and vocabulary covered in that period and given the opportunity to revise and to deal with any specific areas of interest or difficulty.

This constant monitoring of the students' progress ensures that students are happy and learning! Because of the tightly structured syllabus it is also easy to change level without losing any time or repeating aspects of the course.

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 classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life.

Afternoon activities could include Italian film-shows, lectures and talks on various aspects of Sienese and 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.

At the weekend many students can take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest: 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) with 2 meals daily.
Double rooms may be available for students travelling together only.

Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 30 minutes away.

Self Catering Apartments: (private room) no meals.
Double rooms may be available for students travelling together only.

Our apartments are normally located within the same distance as the host families (many are closer) and are shared with local residents or other students from the school, this varies between 1 - 7 students.

All apartments provide a basic equipped kitchen (including cooking utensils), shared bathroom facilities and living areas. The apartments vary in size and number of bedrooms, depending on the location in the city. All apartments are self-catering, which means meals are not included and students provide their own groceries and prepare their own meals or eat out. In many cases the cooking becomes a social event in the apartment and a great way to chat and make new friends.

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