Italian Language School in Tuscany, Italy

Terramare, Orbetello, Tuscany:
Our school in Orbetello, Tuscany was founded in 1986 in collaboration with the Koinè School in Florence. Also presently with the University for Foreigners of Siena, our school offers courses which can be accumulated for university credits for students from universities all over the world.

- For over 20 years we have accompanied students on their journey of discovery of, not just the Italian language, but also of this unique, natural and historic region.
- It is the close contact with the life in town and the strong focus on communication and interaction small groups that enable the participants to make fast progress by combining the language learnt in class with the practical use in everyday life.

Our method of teaching is centred around the individual student. Our communicative approach is based on interactive activities in the classroom and group activities outside, with many cultural trips to a variety of local places of archaeological, artistic and historical interest. The student's immersion in everyday Italian life, therefore transforms their language learning experience into a real cultural experience, and enhances their language learning with communicative competence.

Authentic learning materials have long demonstrated their effectiveness in helping the student to develop basic linguistic competence as well as at more advanced levels.

LESSONS consider at aspects of the Italian way of life and culture, and activities are chosen according to the students' level. The specific interests of the group are tailored to the individual student's needs in one to one classes.

The purpose of individual activities varies and includes reading comprehension, communicative practice through role-play and playacting, structure and grammatical analysis, and discussion of functions and syntax.

Standard Course with Italian language and culture; Combined intensive course; Individual Italian Lessons; C.I.L.S. preparation; Italian, art and archaeology; Italian, nature and sports; Italian, cuisine and wine trail; Winter integral course; Italian and art workshop.

The school is run by a co-operative of highly qualified teachers with many years experience of teaching Italian as a foreign language. Over the years, they have built up their know-how in intercultural communication, including the design of courses aimed at the linguistic and cultural integration of foreign students in state schools.

Different types of accommodation are available from private appartments to hotels.

The school organises cultural activities which take place three times a week:
* Two afternoons a week we organise cultural meetings on a variety of subjects (Italian songs, cinema, theatre, history, art and literature etc.)
* Once a week included in the General Language and Culture Course, there are trips to the local nature reserves and parks, to the islands off the Tuscan coast, archaeological sites and old medieval town centres.

The direct contact with the many different aspects of the Italian environment combines the ease of acquiring specific areas of vocabulary with the enjoyment of exploring the local nature and history. Cultural activities are aimed at exploring the Italian way of life, cuisine, traditions, cultural events and places where Italians meet other people. MEETING OTHER PEOPLE IN AND AROUND ORBETELLO IS REALLY EASY. All the typical meeting places are within a minutes walking distance, and nature is at hand all around us. In fact, in the afternoon students often arrange to meet up at one of the nearby beaches: the Duna, the Feniglia* or at one of the little bays around Monte Argentario* just a short bike ride away. In the evening they meet up in the local “bars”, pizzerias, restaurants or piazzas. Twice a week students and teachers go out to dinner together in one of the characteristic restaurants along the coast or inland.

ORBETELLO, surrounded by its lagoon, was an important Etruscan port and the home of trade between ancient civilisations. Its historical, urban and natural features provide the ideal conditions for meeting local people, as well as guaranteeing quality of life, making it just the place for a language school.

The old town centre, was originally organised to provide a functional setting for everyday life of the townsfolk. The same places where people used to meet within the Etruscan walls, are still in use today. The little piazzas and quiet lanes with their bars and restaurant tables, come to life in the evenings, with street theatre s and concerts that are open to everyone. The warm Mediterranean air provides encourages one to stop and mingle with others.