italian language in italy : Teaching staff

The value of a school depends on its teachers. For this reason the Centre of Italian Studies takes great care in selecting and training them. To teach in our school it's not enough to have a degree; we require long internal, theoretical-practical training.
The candidates for teaching must, first of all, frequent a preparatory course organized every year by the Centre of Italian Studies, with its exclusive programme. These courses are also attended by teachers from state schools who profit immensely from them.
Following this the candidates must make a certain amount of attendances, both in the language and conversation courses. If considered eligible for promotion, they will be called for temporary posts.
Their first appointment will be as teachers in the conversation courses, and only after adequate practice and experience will they be entrusted with an Italian language course, in a level compatible with their university training. Every year they will then be required to attend a refresher course which is also organized by the Centre of Italian Studies. This is why our teachers are professional and have an unmistakable pedagogic-didactic style.

The director conducts the training courses for the internal teachers and he is also called to hold these courses in other schools in Italy and abroad.
Dozens of teachers have been trained in our courses; some of these have afterwards had excellent results in state schools or in a university career. From this point of view also, ours is a school with followers!

http://www.centrostuditaliani.org/docenti_gb.htm

italian language in italy : centro studi Italini - our vision

I started to organize my first courses of Italian language and culture for foreigners way back in 1986 with the original and exclusive formula "small courses in a small town". This was my idea, really courageous and innovative at that time and which afterwards proved to be a winner.

As a base for the courses I have chosen Urbania, in the Marches, equidistant between the Adriatic sea and Tuscany. Very close to Urbino but not in Urbino.

Urbania is a delightful town, immersed in the greenery of its hills, rich in history, art and culture, but small and made to measure for all tastes, quite the opposite to a big city invaded by mass tourism.

As Prof. F. John Willett (founder and first chancellor of Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia), our first illustrious visitor was able to point out, in Urbania "a student does not feel lost amongst 10,000 other foreigners as in summer courses in big universities. And it is precisely for this reason that every student is able to receive individual attention". Also "those attending the courses can participate in the local life of a very pleasant community.

There is no doubt that students will receive a warm welcome in Urbania and no doubt whatsoever regarding the quality of the study programmes".
So the town offers the most favourable environmental conditions together with the high quality level of our courses. This explains the success of our formula and the fact that at least ten other schools, near and far (in the Marches, in Emilia-Romagna, in the Venetian region and in Tuscany), have attempted to imitate it, more or less faithfully, more or less happily. And this constitutes our greatest success: we are a school with followers!

http://www.centrostuditaliani.org/idea_gb.htm

italian language in italy : The Centro Studi Italiani

The Centro Studi Italiani, Polo Universitario Internazionale (Center of Italian Studies, International University Hub) is not an Italian university. The Centro Studi Italiani is an "international university hub" (registered trademark and name), in the sense that foreign universities hold courses at the Centro Studi Italiani, but also in the sense that the Centro Studi Italiani courses are known and acknowledged by foreign universities (refer to international collaborations in this website). Our school - the first center of Italian language and Culture in the Marches and on the Adriatic coast - started its first courses in 1986, with its own original framework and remains unique in its kind, in spite of the fact that many other schools have tried to imitate us.

From the very beginning we have been an authorised educationall center both for international students as well as for Italian citizens. Students from over 90 different countries throughout the world have attended our courses. 70% of our students come because the school has been recommended to them by ex-course members. They appreciate not only the professionalism of the Centro Studi Italiani but also our flexibility. Students learn quickly and well, thanks to the friendly atmosphere. Our study program can also serve as a framework for foreign universities and we are able to develop programs which will meet the needs of their university. Right from the beginning, and continually more and more so, we enjoy prestigious international collaborations with universities and conservatories throughout the world.

Furthermore, the Centro has been acknowledged and assigned the patronage of the Marches region and, with regard to the Festival (the Centro Studi Italiani Opera Festival), the patronage of the Marches region and also that of the Pesaro and Urbino province. Since being established, the Centro Studi Italiani has been included in the publication "Courses of Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners in Italy" which, up until a few years ago, was edited yearly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Moreover, it is a center where an international student, who benefits from a Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship, is able to attend a course of Italian language and culture.


Foreign Affairs scholarship, is able to frequent a course of Italian language and culture.

http://www.centrostuditaliani.org/chisiamo_gb.htm

italian language in italy : Scuola Palazzo Malvisi school

Studying Italian language and Italian culture with us is easy and funny!

OUR EXPERIENCE
Founded in 1981 Scuola Palazzo Malvisi has grown and developed into one of the most respected and successful Italian language schools.

HIGH-QUALITY TEACHING
You can be sure of the high standards of our Italian language teaching. Well trained, highly qualified our Italian language teachers are recruited not only for their teaching ability and warm personalities, but also for their wide range of interests and skills. Trainee seminars are regularly organized for our Italian language teaching staff.

LEARN ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN SMALL GROUP
A maximum of 8, 9 or 10 students per class (depending on the Italian language center and on the Italian language course).

FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE
and totally Italian environment where you hear and speak Italian all day long practicing what you have learned in your Italian language program.

A WIDE CHOICE OF COURSES
G - Italian Language Group Courses
GI - Italian language Combination Courses
I - Italian language Individual Courses (1 teacher - 1 student)
D - Italian Language Duetto Courses (1 teacher - 2 students)
SPECIAL COURSES

You can start your Italian language course every Monday
(if you are not a absolute beginner Italian language student).
We can found all information in our website, but we also send you our brochure on request, to organize your Italian language travel vacation.

Copyright S.P.M.

italian language in italy : italian language courses

“Lessons in Italian” is a course borne from my three years of instructing foreign students in Italian grammar and culture at Porta D’Oriente School. Over the years I have come to understand both the joys and the difficulties of this particular type of work. I have come to realize that foreign students need more than just Italian language instruction – they also need an instructor who can be sympathetic and understanding of their intimidation with a new language and environment, and who can be gentle with both the process of learning and the process of adapting. However, I have also found it is necessary to balance this tender approach with correct behavior; and to be stubborn when it comes to assuring that that a student acquires the knowledge essential to communicate effectively.

It is this philosophy that I have developed over the years and that has been instrumental in building trusting and mutually respectful relationships with my students.
Thank you to all of my foreign students for both the gratitude and the trust you have shown me and in particular Barbara Dimitri of the Porta D'Oriente School (Otranto).

With Much Love,

Patrizia Convenga

italian language in italy : Learn Italian in Florence

This is the story of Clarissa, an American woman who planned to visit Italy and learn about the Italian culture. She loved the Italian language and wanted to learn it in a fast and easy way. Her additional incentive was being able to communicate with her new Italian friend, Carlo, whom she met in a chat room a few months ago.

Carlo, an Italian native, had always wanted to learn English well. He knew a bit of English like most Europeans do, but Clarissa knew only three Italian words: ciao, amore and gelato. So they made a deal. They decided to practice by speaking in each other’s native language.

Wanting this exchange to be more balanced, Clarissa decided to take a course in Florence, which is not far from the small town in Tuscany where Carlo lives.

Being an art lover, Clarissa did not have to think hard about which city to investigate. Florence is where the spark of the Renaissance movement started and flourished a few centuries ago. Italy stores more artworks than all of the rest of the world combined, and Florence is at the heart. The task now was to find a good school that would fit her personality.

A bit shy but adventurous, she asked Carlo to find a good school for her to learn Italian. However, he could not give her much help. Florence is a big city, and he would have to go there himself and check into the different schools. And, after all, she knew herself better than Carlo. So, she decided to choose on her own and went surfing the web.

To her surprise, she discovered there are many more schools in Florence that teach Italian to foreigners than she thought. There are schools for every taste and any possible interest. She even found a course to learn Italian while sailing on a yacht.

After assessing few schools, she signed up for a week-long total immersion course to give her a taste of what it would be like. She would learn enough Italian to allow her to move around in Italy. Later, she would choose an in-depth course that would take perhaps several months to complete and give her the ability to communicate on a deeper level.

A month later, Clarissa was at a school in Florence, learning lots of vocabulary she could use to get around the city. Through some classroom lessons and many trips to museums, restaurants and shops, she learned to construct sentences in Italian and to express herself. She also experienced the basics of survival in a foreign country. And, of course, she learned to better understand Carlo, who turned out to be more likable than she expected.

Now Clarissa is back in Florence for the second time, taking a six-month course with a concentration on the art and architecture of the 17th century. What a fantastic time for her—perfecting her Italian, enjoying her new skills, broadening her knowledge. Thanks to Carlo and her new capacity to converse in Italian, she has many Italian friends. When she returns to the U.S., she will connect with them in Italian via email.

These are her recent words about her continuing experience.

"Learning another language is a life change. It opened a new world that I did not suspect existed. This world was inside of me. You can only find it when you give to yourself the chance to look for it. Like I did."

By Sergio Tamburri

italian language in italy : Learning Italian in Italy

Everybody knows that can be one of the most fantastic experiences you can have in your life.

Three days ago, one of my students came back from a memorable, intensive course to learn Italian in Florence.

We crossed each other on campus while I was walking to teach a Level I class. She was radiant and fashionably dressed in unmistakably Italian clothes. Claudia, in her forties, looked ten years younger.

With curiosity, I asked her how it went in Italy. I have to clarify here that she took all three Italian levels that I teach at the University of Houston in the Accelerated Foreign Language Program. And that she was ready and confident to study for two weeks in Florence in a "total immersion" program designed for learning and practicing Italian day and night.

She started to tell me what an incredible time she had. Unfortunately, we could only chat in fluent Italian for a few minutes before I had to get to class. We agreed to meet again so she could tell me more of her adventures in this famous Italian city.

Yesterday we finally had the opportunity to lunch together, and she gave me a good overview of her experience in Florence. I appreciated her new Italian accent. It was outstanding and well above my expectations.

I have already experienced several methodologies used to ease students into absorbing and integrating a new language, but I was fascinated by her enthusiasm for the way it is done at her school in Florence. With her eagerness and my curiosity, we could have talked for hours and hours.

The course in Italy is designed to integrate fun and exciting adventures into the learning process. Shopping, dancing, eating and discovering unique parts of the city are all activities in a well-designed program. I was admiring the creators of the course for their capability to combine study and everyday life in such an impeccable, harmonious balance.

Italians are known for being great teachers. Creativity and beauty make them famous all around the world. On top of that, the charming environment of Florence and the Italian people themselves make, without a doubt, learning an unforgettable experience.

Here in Houston at the Accelerated Foreign Language Department, we use a unique way to learn new languages that is ideally suited to adult learners. This method employs the best teaching practices with whole-brain learning theory to maximize each individual's learning style. Our system is a combination of accelerated "tools" where we recreate the way Italians learn to speak naturally from the time they are born. We try to make the student feel like they are actually in Italy.

In Italy, the method is similar, but with the great advantage that there is no need to recreate being in Italy. You are in Italy. And all around you, everyone speaks Italian language, from teachers and staff to neighbors and shopkeepers.

The experience is real and complete. And...very effective.

By Sergio Tamburri

italian language in italy : Why study Italian in Italy?

Reason 1
Thousands of students travel abroad each year to learn Italian language. They realize that the most effective way to learn Italian language is to learn in the country the language is spoken and may be used not only in the classroom, but all day and in the street, shops, restaurants...

Reason 2
Italy is a world leader in the culinary arts, interior design, fashion, graphic design, furniture design, etc. Those planning careers in such fields greatly benefit from knowing Italian and Italy.

Reason 3
Living in Italy can be a fantastic cultural experience. Although it can be said that Italian cannot be considered as a vehicular language, it is just as true that it cannot be relegated to a language of the past. Are you an art and culture enthusiast? Italy, the country with the highest concentration of art, history, culture, nature, good food and wine in the world, is one of the most popular vacation countries in Europe. Wherever you choose to study Italian in Italy you will find something unique: beautiful natural scenery, history, customs, delicious food, colourful festivals and warm people.

Reason 4
The Italian welcome is warm everywhere, people are friendly and all seasons are good for a visit.

What you should know

Information about visas for entry into Italy

Citizens from countries from which a visa is necessary to enter Italy can enroll in and attend a course provided that they have a visa for TOURISM (for stays of up to 90 days) or for STUDY (indispensable for periods of over 90 days). Before enrolling in one of our courses we would ask you to contact the Italian diplomatic representation or Consulate nearest your place of residence to obtain precise, up-to-date information.

In some countries it takes a long time to obtain a visa and for this reason it is advisable to contact the Consulates as soon as possible.

For countries, such as: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Savador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malesia Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Poland, Rumania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, there is no obligation to apply for an entry visa for purposes of tourism for periods of up to 90 days.

To check up on any changes in these lists, we advise visiting the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.esteri.it/eng/5_32_183.asp? and the site of the European Union: http://europa.eu.int/abc/travel/doc/index_en.htm

In any case, even if a visa is not required, to avoid problems with the Police, always make sure that your passport is stamped with the date of entry into Italy by the Italian Border Police.

The documents normally required by the consular authorities are:


1. Passport valid for at least 3 months (for some countries it must be valid for at least 6 months) longer than that of the visa applied for
2. Return air ticket (or return ticket for any other means of transport) or the flight booking
3. Proof of possession of sufficient financial means for self-support during the stay in Italy, according to the parameters specified above.
The applicant, by means of appropriate documentation (e.g. declaration of employment, cash, credit card, travellers cheques or other), will have to prove that he/she is in a socio-economic situation or work or family position that can guarantee his/her genuine interest in returning to his/her country of origin at the end of the period of validity of the visa.
4. Confirmation of hotel booking or any other suitable accommodation.
5. Health insurance with adequate cover and valid for all the countries of the Schengen area.

Anyone applying for a visa for purposes of study must also:
a) stipulate a medical insurance policy, valid in the event of urgent hospitalization without limits on expenses or duration with 1’”INA – Le assicurazioni d’Italia”. This insurance is fairly cheap, on 03/10/2003 it costs euro 38.73 for 6 months or 77.46 euro for 12 months and covers risk of hospitalization in the event of injuries or illnesses that necessitate emergency hospitalization, but cannot be used for out-patient or domiciliary medical examinations. For this reason it is necessary to have also medical insurance from ones own country, valid in Italy, that covers these risks.
b) show documented proof of the course to be attended (certificate of enrolment in the course).

Those applying for a visa for purrposes of tourism must also:

Stipulate medical insurance cover, valid in the case of urgent hospitalization without any limit on expenses or duration, with INA –Le assicurazioni d’Italia”. This insurance covers the risk of hospitalization in the event of traumas or illnesses that necessitate urgent hospitalization, but cannot be used for surgery or domiciliary examinations. For this reason it is also necessary to have medical insurance from the country of origin, valid in Italy, covering these risks.

Once the possession of the minimum requisites required by law has been verified and the necessary information obtained from the Consulate, the student can then enroll in the course by sending to the school the enrolment form and effecting a single payment of the entire cost of the course booked. Only at that point can the school, in order to make possible the initiation of the visa application procedure, issue the enrolment certificate, the letter of confirmation for the course with the address of the accommodation booked and the receipt for the amount paid.

It is not possible to issue a visa (nor the extension of a pre-existing visa) to a foreigner who is already on Italian territory. To make possible officially extensions of the period of stay, only extensions or renewals of the residence permit are valid.

In Italy the Police cannot extend or renew residence permits of the visa is type “C”.

By Luca B

italian language in italy : Study the Italian Language

The Italian language is one of ancient and historic roots. Today, it is spoken by approximately 70 million people, and is the official language of several nations, including Italy, Slovenia, and Vatican City. If you are interested in learning to speak, read, and write another language, consider the romantic Italian language. You could study at a college or University and receive your degree in Italian. You could take one of many online accelerated courses. Or you could experience the beauty, history, and culture of the Italian language firsthand. You could attend one of the many Italian immersion programs available in Italy.

Earning a degree in Italian from a college or University will provide you with a thorough knowledge of written and conversational Italian. If you earn a college degree in the Italian language, you will most likely be fluent in it. This can lead you to several interesting career options. For example, you can find employment as a foreign language translator, either in the United States or aboard. You can also work as a teacher of English as a second language to students in Italy. If you are already established professionally, and find that you must learn Italian as a job requirement, you can enroll in accelerated courses in Italian online. There are several reputable programs offered via the Internet that are convenient and fun. Learning Italian in this manner will give you a very basic foundation in the language.

If you have the time to devote (a few weeks to a month) and the financial resources, an ideal opportunity is to learn the Italian by enrolling in an immersion program. By doing this, you will not only learn Italian, but you will get a taste of the exciting Italian way of life. Learning Italian in the beautiful country of Italy, where the language has its ancient roots, you will be thrust into the life and culture, and you will learn to speak and understand the language quickly and with surprising ease. You will learn the conversational and colloquial styles of the Italian language. You will interact on a daily basis with native Italian, and they probably won’t be willing or able to communicate with you in English. You will be absorbed into the everyday life of Italy. You can choose to study in historic Rome, Florence, Milan, or even Venice. You will learn to understand and appreciate the mythic Italian culture: the art, the architecture, the food, and the people. You will also attend courses in which you will learn how to read and write Italian. Can you think of a more fun and interesting way to learn a foreign language?

Knowing how to communicate in more than one language (such as English and Italian) can be advantageous to your career. If the business you are in demands international travel, being able to communicate with your associates in Italy will make your work easier and less stressful. If you are fluent in Italian, you can be certified as a foreign language translator for example (as mentioned previously). This is a challenging career opportunity. You can work full-time for a foreign language translation firm, translating important business documents or web pages for global corporations. Or you can do freelance translation work, where you make your own work schedule. You might also have the skills to teach English to students in Italian speaking countries. By knowing English and Italian, you would be able to live and work in Italy.

By learning to speak, read, and write the Italian language, you possess the potential to develop you career by working in Italy, or you can set out on a new career as a translator or English instructor. Learning Italian will also enhance your travels to Italy. Learning the Italian language is an intellectually and personally achievement that will broaden your scope professionally open your eyes to a new culture.

By John Davison

italian language in italy : Travel to Learn Italian in Italy

Before traveling, especialy to learn Italian in Italy, I was warned to not be the ugly American tourist. We must be sensitive and respectful. We must be open and understanding. We must not wear leisure suits and track shoes. I pride myself on my cultural sensitivity, which is probably why I was so traumatized when, during one of my first outings while I went to learn Italian, a fruit monger accused me of calling him a communist.

It was the first time for me to attempt to learn Italian and even experience the culture in depth. I soon discovered that buying fruit in Italy is an art. Fruit is beautifully displayed in baskets and stands, to be admired but never touched by the hands of the passing consumer. Picking up an apple for inspection in Italy is considered an act of aggression, one for which I was properly chastised repeatedly. Quickly I learned: ask for what you want, and the fruit monger, whose experience and knowledge of grape clusters is vastly superior to your own, will select exactly the right cluster to suit your needs.

Such a custom would never have occurred to me. In the US, you inspect each piece of fruit carefully, using techniques your grandmother taught you to make sure your melon is really ripe, your plums are not bruised, and your apple is crisp. But sure enough, this is what I experienced as I went to learn Italian abroad.

While I was packing and getting ready for my trip with the objective to learn Italian, my mother sat on my bed. She told me about traveling around France and Italy on the back of a motorcycle, stopping at markets to buy bread, cheese and blood oranges for impromptu picnics; she had also gone to Italy with the objective to learn Italian. My ears perked up at the mention of the blood orange-even its name sounded exotic and decadent. This was in the days before yuppie grocery stores sold goods from around the world, and in our neck of the woods, even the kiwi was still regarded as a novelty.

So, in Siena, with a few hours to spare after my first day of class to learn Italian, I wandered around the market, looking for my first taste of Europe. I had memorized that useful phrase, "I would like..." I have found that this phrase and a strong index finger are all the communication tools you need for basic survival until you learn italian. Unless you are picky. Unless you want something specific-not just any orange, for example, but a dark red, sweet, tangy blood orange.

I found a charming fruit market and greeted the monger, a graying old man with a wizened face and sharp, appraising eyes. It dawned on me that I was not ready for this first transaction after having had only one day to learn Italian! I hadn't the slightest idea how to say "blood orange" in Italian. I tried a few variations-"orange of blood" brought looks of disgust and confusion. "Special orange" brought a torrent of language, none of which I understood since I had just started to learn Italian. I settled on "red orange, you know? Red, red!". Here is where I noticed that my trip to learn Italian in Italy would have to be recurring in order for me to be able to at least communicate an idea.

My fruit monger gave up. He was a patient man, a fair man, but I now had clearly gone too far. This young, impudent man not only touched his fruit, but insulted his character. "Non sono comunista!" he bellowed. He had a lot more to say, but to the untrained American ear, it sounded rather like, solononoglionomabuonomiaabonlagliono. Using my only other phrase of Italian-"excuse me!" I scooted away as quickly as I could, the entire market staring at me curiously; the American tourist trying to learn Italian in Italy. Later, nursing a latte and my bruised self-esteem, I was able to make the connection: red meant communist. All those words of warning had done no good: even without a leisure suit, I was still that ugly American tourist.

It was several more weeks before I mastered the art of buying fruit in Italy, and finally tasted a blood orange. Buying that piece of fruit was now more than honoring one of my mother's sappy memories, but a triumph of international commerce. It was delizioso! These are the times were you realize there is so much more to learn and I am so glad I came to learn Italian. Insistence makes perfection so I will be returning to Italy to learn Italian soon.


by JohnSlocum

italian language in italy : Learn Italian

There are lots of ways to learn a language, but nothing can beat actually visiting and studying in the country where the language is spoken. Daily immersion in the language and culture is the key to gaining proficiency in a language. So where better to learn the Italian language than in Italy! Italy is a beautiful and diverse country with friendly people, fantastic food and an astonishingly rich cultural heritage.

For anyone who hasn't realised, Italy is a country rich in history, beauty, romance and style. It's also a country where good taste in fashion and food abound. Italians take an immense, and justifiable, pride in their national assets, and often refer to their country as the 'bel paese' or 'beautiful country'. Italy is among the oldest and most fascinating European countries, with art and architecture are second to none. Whether you choose to explore Italy by foot, by gondola, or by Vespa, the journey is breathtaking! To appreciate 'la dolce vita' fully, knowledge of the Italian language is essential, and there is no better place to learn than right in the midst of Italian life.

Italian language schools are located throughout Italy, from world-famous Venice and Milan in northern Italy to historic Taormina and Otranto in the south. Choice of location is one of the most important factors in deciding which language school to attend. Without a doubt, time spent outside the language classroom is at least as important as time spent in class. In larger cities, language programs typically emphasise amenities and activities but, depending on the size of the program, can neglect individual student attention. While there may be no shortage of cultural activities and museum visits, intimate cultural experiences are more likely to occur in smaller towns and villages. It is also much easier to fall back on speaking English in large cities, which of course defeats your original purpose entirely!

Throughout Italy, English is less spoken in smaller towns and villages than in cities. In such locations, it is almost impossible not to speak the language you’re there to study. Generally, people in the more rural areas of Italy will be quite honored that you’ve chosen to learn Italian in their home town and will be more welcoming, making it easier to establish lasting friendships and feel right at home.

The type of Italian language program you choose will of course be determined partly by your specific needs. There are many different types of program offered by language schools in Italy, including general Italian, Italian for business, Italian for academic studies, and Italian for art courses, music, design and culinary arts.

Whichever program you choose, there are several features to look for which are shared by all good programs: flexible, communicative instruction methodologies, a friendly atmosphere, personal attention, enthusiastic and qualified teachers, small groups. Depending on your requirements, the program should also provide a language qualification recognised by national and international colleges and universities.

In summary, to get the most out of an Italian language program in Italy, look for schools with small groups, qualified native-speaking teachers and programs providing plenty of individual attention. Cultural programs including excursions and activities are important, but they should not substitute for real language learning which occurs best in smaller groups and more intimate contexts. Whatever happens during your time in Italy, the most important thing is that you thoroughly enjoy the language learning experience! You will learn much better if you are happy with your program and enjoying yourself!

Miguel Scaccialupo writes on Italian tour and Spanish tour topics, and regularly reviews online Italian courses.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miguel_Scaccialupo