Italian Language & Culture Courses in Florence, Italy

Scuola Toscana, Florence:
Scuola Toscana is an Italian language school located in the historical centre of Florence in the Tuscany region of Italy (approximately 3 hours north of Rome). Recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education, we provide a wide range of Italian language courses including intensive communication, university preparation, business, culture, art history and many more.

Italian Language Courses:  
There are 6 levels from absolute beginners to advanced allowing you to reach the various levels of the European Language Portfolio.

Absolute Beginners / False Beginners:  
By the end of this program, you will have learned how to exchange simple information, make basic conversation, say hello and goodbye, understand simple instructions and explanations, describe places and people, "survive" in an Italian environment. You can reach the levels A1 and A2 of the European Language Portfolio.

Intermediate 1 and 2:  
By the end of this program, you will have learned to give opinions, agree and disagree, talk about yourself and your experience, write personal letters, read simple articles from the press, carry out phone conversations.

You can reach the levels B1 and B2 of the European Language Portfolio.

Advanced and Perfecting:  
By the end of this program, you will have learned to give opinions, agree and disagree, talk about yourself and your experience, write personal letters, read simple articles from the press, carry out phone conversations.

You can reach the levels B1 and B2 of the European Language Portfolio.

Placement Test:  
At the beginning of every course a placement test is given to determine which class is best for you.

At the end of the course another test is carried out for admission the next level and/ or for a proficiency evaluation once the course is completed. 

The students of the Scuola Toscana may sit for all the examination of the Universita' per stranieri di Siena (CILS) and of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (A.I.L.) (see: exams/diplomas).

 - Intensive Italian Communication & Conversation Courses:  
These courses have weekly starting dates. Six hours a day of Italian for 1 week up to 12 weeks. The courses are designed to make the most of your time, working with the Italian language in all of its aspects: grammar, communication, vocabulary, practice. 

In the communication and conversation courses the student is introduced to Italian conversational structures, from survival Italian up to more confident and effective use of the language. 

Great importance is given to familiarizing the student with contemporary Italian culture, through the use of Italian magazines and newspapers, tapes and video.

- Private Italian Tuition (One-to-one classes):  
Our intensive individual Italian language courses are one-to-one, tailor-made courses to suit your own requirements.

You choose your own timetable and the length of your course. Private general courses, business courses, special topics of your choice or Italian culture classes.

- Homestay Program with an Italian Family:  
Totally immerse yourself in the Italian language, lifestyle and culture. An extremely effective way of learning the language. 

One of the best ways to really come to know Florence is to live with an Italian family, alone or with other foreign students.

- University Preparation Courses: 
Learn all the terminology you need for the admission to the Italian Universities, whichever department you want to attend. (2 hrs Italian language + 2 hrs terminology every day) Duration 1 week-12 weeks.

- Italian for Business Courses:  
Italian for business and trade is a wise investment for you and your organization. You'll return to work armed with new tools to improve the performance and competitiveness of you and your company. 4 hours a day. 

In addition to Italian grammar and syntax, this hands-on course will teach you the Italian you need for: Telephoning, meeting customers and visitors, travelling for work, negotiating, handling business correspondence, reports and summaries, memos, e-mails, faxes, money matters, figures and graphs, commercial papers, marketing and sales, import export, delivery and after sales.

We authentic business situations and genuine problems encountered in Italian companies.

- Weekly crash courses for business and trade.
- Private tuition / individual specialised courses for everyone: Italian for bankers, Italian for lawyers, Italian for trade, Italian for managers, Italian for wine traders and experts (see also "supertuscany"), Italian for cooking and Italian for shopping.
- We also provide post school vocational courses.

- Italian for Tourism Course:  
Standard and intensive short courses. In addition to Italian grammar and syntax, these hands-on courses will teach you the Italian language you need for: Handling reservations via telephone, e-mail, fax, letter; communicating prices, tariffs, conditions to customers; giving tourist information to visitors, having social conversation with hosts; explaining itineraries, maps, menus, money matters.

- Internship Program (work experience placements)
It is now possible to study Italian language doing an internship (Convenzione di Tirocinio e Formazione) in an Italian restaurant, hotel, or other firm: this is the & ''fast lane" to learn the everyday Italian, as they speak it.

- Family Holiday Courses (children & adults)  
Tutoring for children and tailor-made courses for families. After 15 years of experience in teaching Italian as a second language to students from all over the world, we open now our courses to the families.

Our new programs are designed to engage, enrich and delight all generations.

- Italian Culture Courses:  
The Scuola Toscana lets you understand Italian cultural values, issues and concerns:for the student who wants to stay longer in Florence, Scuola Toscana offers a course which will enable you to learn and perfect your Italian language skills.

You will come to know all the aspects of the Italian language and culture, from grammar to literature to art history to Italian cuisine.

At the end of every year you can sit for the exams of AIL and CILS. You will return to your country armed with the new tool of the concrete knowledge of a foreign country: Italy.

- Italian and Art Courses: 
- "Rinascimento": learn about the techniques of the grand maestros of the renaissance.
- "Maestro": to try, improve or deepen your knowledge of fresco painting.
- "Bottega di Disegno e Pittura": learn the technique of painting and drawing.
- "Decorazione": if you are interested in the techniques of decorating wood or paper, of decoupage, painting on glass or trompe l'oeil.

- Italian Art History Courses:  
You will learn about the everyday life of the Renaissance, and the secrets of the Maestri through classes, interpretative walks, visits to museums and galleries: every visit designed and accompanied by an Italian teacher, who is also specialised in history of art. 2 hours Italian language + 2 hours history of art every day. Duration of 1 week up to 12 weeks.

- Italian Fashion & Design Course:  
Learn all the terminology you need for your study or your work in the field of Italian fashion & design, with an expert teacher and materials from the stylist`s workshops and ateliers. 2hrs Italian language + 2 hrs terminology every day. Duration of 1 week up to 12 weeks.

- Italian and Photography Course:
Together with the Italian language, learn the theory and the techniques of photography; two hours of Italian language and two hours dedicated to the art of photography.

From absolute beginners up to perfecting, theory, practice, and workshops with a professional photographer. Duration: 1 week to 12 weeks.

- Italian Music and Opera Course:  
Italian is the "royal language" in the world of classical music and opera. Since years, the Scuola Toscana organizes individual and group courses for singers and musicians, as follows:

- 2 hours per day of Italian language.
- 2 hours per day of Italian for music and opera.

This course includes all the caracteristics of the Italian language in music and opera: "il bel canto", the diction, the themes, the texts and of course the cultural aspects, the historical background and the techniques.

The course will take place in our new classrooms, in Via Garibaldi, located near the Teatro Comunale, seat of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

The price includes the visit of an opera or a concert together with your teacher. The course is open also for non-specialists and amateurs.

- Italian Wine & Cooking Course:
Learn Italian language and discovery the Italian cuisine - with an hands-on course which, together with Italian language, introduces you to the world of Italian food and wines. 4 hrs every day. Duration: 1 week to 12 weeks.

- Italian Language + Jewellery Course:
Designed for absolute beginners to professionals, this course is composed by 2 hours a day of Italian language and 2 hours a day of jewellery work. 

There is no minimum number of participants required. Jewellery-based topics include: jewellery design, stone setting, engraving, wax-work, restoration and gemology.

- Italian Courses taught in English:
Now you can have the basis of Italian language explained in your mother-tongue, learning in a personalized, easier, faster way.

This is possible thanks to the experience of our instructors, who have been teaching abroad (i.e. in US universities and colleges).

- Distance Learning Courses / Online Italian Courses:
"LEONARDO" is the name of our distance learning course of Italian language you can do at home. 

This course is composed of 8 different lessons (exercises in grammar, texts, conversations, tapes etc.) that you will receive directly at home, via E-mail, fax or airmail.

Additionally: 
Travel and study in Tuscany course, discover Florence while learing Italian courses, learn Italian while staying at the Fiesole Club and also refresher courses for teachers of Italian abroad.