Italian Course in Sicily

Culturforum:
Our friendly school Culturforum is based in Cefalu, the beautiful coastal town in northern Sicily.

The focus at the Italian Language School Culturforum is to teach the real spoken Italian language, that spoken by Italians in everyday life. Classes are small and informal stimulating the learning process and communication. In our language courses we always try to combine professionalism with liveliness, method with lightness of touch, efficacy with sympathy so that everyone can feel at ease and leave behind the stress that the learning of a foreign language sometimes involves.

What we aim at is that students attending our Italian courses should learn to express themselves effectively and be able to interact with Italians in every type of communication and cultural context.

Standard Italian courses; Combined Italian courses; Intensive Italian courses; One-to-one Italian language tuition; Duo Italian courses: Italian for special purposes (business, medicine, tourism etc.); History of Italy and Sicily in the Italian language.

The organization of our Italian language courses is based on the development of the four basic skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking, as suggested by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework of Reference which describes the levels of teaching and learning a foreign language in the EU countries.

Particular emphasis is placed on improving listening and speaking skills, developing vocabulary and functional language so that, outside the classroom, you will be able to communicate in many different situations and practise your Italian with Italian people.

As part of the Italian language course there are some lessons out of the school when the students can practise what they have learnt: order drinks at the bar, do some shopping, chat with the shopkeepers or interview passers-by.

In class we use a wide range of authentic teaching material: newspaper articles, letters, authentic listening, simulation exercises and role play in order to make the study of the Italian language a stimulating and enjoyable experience; while also providing a good grounding in grammar we focus mainly on a more practical use of the language to teach students true communication skills.

The teaching material, which is provided by the school, is constantly kept up-to-date and matched with the practical needs of the various groups.

Our Italian language school offers a series of seminars which can be combined with your Italian language course. The goal of these seminars is not only the study of the Italian language but also an in- depth discussion of topics relating to diverse aspects of life and culture in Italy or Sicily.

History of Italy and Sicily; Italian Literature ; Art History; History of the Italian language

Right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily can boast some 6000 years of history. Since prehistoric times different peoples landed to the “Wonderful island of Helios”, the God of the Sun, attracted by its beauty, fertility and luxuriant vegetation. The island has been a real crossroad where different races and civilisations merged, and has seen many different cultures flourish on its soil, which have left behind a rich cultural, historical and artistic heritage and a trail of impressive monuments, buildings and works of art which still today inspire wonder and admiration.
As we believe that learning a language should not be confined to time spent at school we organise a rich and varied social programme and a range of visits and excursions, that will take you off the beaten track to allow you to discover the real soul of Sicily.

Excursions to archaeological and artistic sites; Natura walks; Sicilian wine and food tasting; Bike and boat tours.

Cefalu is the most celebrated seaside resort in Western Sicily, a favourite destination for tourists and Italians alike. Endowed with excellent tourist facilities, it’s the ideal spot for passing a relaxing and enjoyable holiday. Various types of accommodation are available, so we can offer you different solutions for your accommodation requirements:

Studios and apartments in the town centre ; Houses and villas by the sea; Hotel accommodation; Lodgings with local people