Italian Language Courses 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.

Standard course Italian language and culture:
The duration of the standard course is two weeks. It is also possible to enrol for periods of one or more weeks. The classes are formed on the first day of the course after the compilation of a language level test. All the levels are catered for, from beginners to proficiency. Each class has a minimum of two, a maximum of 6 students. Lessons take place in the morning, Monday to Friday, from 9.00 a.m. to 1. 00 p.m. (with a twenty minutes break).

THE PROGRAM:
Morning: 4 hrs language lessons from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a brief pause of 20 minutes.
The desire to include social and cultural information about our Country is a strong motivation to learn the language. For this reason, as our land is so rich in nature, archaeology, art, history and traditions, we offer an intense program of cultural activities in the afternoon.
Afternoon: 4 cultural meetings ( 6hrs/1wk; 12 hrs/2 wks)- Italian literature, art history, archaeology, art, song and cinema.
- 1 all day historical-naturalistic excursion to one of the islands of Tuscan Archipelagos during the first week.
- 1 half day historical-naturalistic excursion during the first week (Natural Park of Maremma, "Giardino dei Tarocchi" by Niki de Saint Phalle, Spring-waters of Saturnia.
- 1 half day historical-naturalistic excursion during the second week (after a little trek along the coast to swim, you can see an ancient Roman or Etruscan site).

Combined intensive course:
Italian language and culture with group+ two hrs "one to one" p.m.

THE PROGRAM:
Class lessons each morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. plus two hours of individual tuition in the afternoons.
Students who choose a combined course participate in all the cultural activities organized by the school for intensive group courses.

Individual course and CILS preparation:
This course is suited for students with special needs. Available courses include preparation for CILS exam at all levels, translation courses, proficiency and in-depth study courses in a wide range of language fields (economics, law, science, historical-artistic, etc.).
Students who choose an individual course participate in all the cultural activities organized by the school for intensive group courses.

The CILS exam preparation is offered In collaboration with the University for foreign students of Siena . This certificate of Italian as foreign Language is issued by the University of Siena and recognized by the Italian Foreign Office. It is possible to choose a group or an individual course.

THE PROGRAM:
From 2 Hrs to 8 hrs/Day

Italian, art and archaeology:
This course offers special insight into the artistic and archaeological aspects of Italian culture. The two-week course integrates visits to artistic sites and monuments, historical centres, and archaeological sites with language instruction. Students learn to express cultural contents, aesthetic forms, social functions, and symbolic representation found in art in the most appropriate language. Learn Italian while enjoying the Italian way of life, perfectly integrating culture, tradition, and natural environment. The course consists of language instruction in the morning 4 h per day for a total of 40 hours (2 weeks) plus afternoon activities and excursions of 3-5 hours each which include visits of archaeological sites, museums and workshops.

THE PROGRAM:
Week 1:
Monday: Morning language lesson; afternoon lesson on the art and archaeology in Orbetello and environs.
Tuesday: Morning language lesson; afternoon visit by bicycle to the Roman ruins of Cosa, founded in 273 B.C.
Wednesday: Morning language lesson; afternoon visit to the museum of Etruscan art and archaeology and the Etruscan tombs in Tarquinia.
Thursday: All-day excursion to Isola del Giglio and visit to the medieval town; possibility of trekking and swimming on the coast.
Friday: Morning language lesson; afternoon practical pottery workshop.

Week 2:
Monday: Morning language lesson; afternoon exploration of the Maremma inland, its medieval hilltop towns and Etruscan necropolis; stop at Saturnia spa; dinner in a local restaurant.
Tuesday: Morning language lesson; afternoon visit to the medieval town of Capalbio, the Chiesa di San Nicola, and frescos from the schools of Umbria and Siena and visit to the "Giardino dei Tarocchi" by Niki de Saint Phalle.
Wednesday: Morning language lesson; afternoon excursion to the Natural Park of Maremma and the medieval coastal town of Talamone.
Thursday: Morning language lesson; afternoon practical pottery workshop and ceramics painting.
Friday: Morning language lesson; afternoon free.

Italian, nature and sports:
This course is suited for those who want to combine studying the Italian language with enjoying their favourite sports activities in one of the most exquisite natural environments in Italy. Students can choose from canoeing, rowing, and sailing in the lagoon; surfing, sailing, scuba diving (beginners and professional), snorkelling, and sea watching around the islands of the Tuscan archipelago and the coast of Argentario and the Natural Park of Maremma; horseback riding, trekking, and cycling through the green paths coastal Maremma and in the islands of Tuscany. The course consists of language instruction in the morning for a total of 40 hours (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) plus afternoon activities of 3-4 hours each.

THE PROGRAM:

Week 1:
Monday: Morning language lesson; afternoon introduction to local ecology and sporting opportunities and a guided tour of Orbetello's historical centre.
Tuesday: Morning language lesson;afternoon sporting activity with the assistance of a professional instructo.
Wednesday:Morning language lesson; afternoon sporting activity with the assistance of a professional instructor.
Thursday: All-day excursion to Isola del Giglio and visit to the medieval town; possibility of trekking and swimming on the coast.
Friday: Morning language lesson; afternoon sporting activity with the assistance of a professional instructor.

Week 2:
Monday: Morning language lesson; afternoon sporting activity with the assistance of a professional instructor.
Tuesday: Morning language lesson; afternoon sporting activity with the assistance of a professional instructor.
Wednesday: language lesson; afternoon excursion to the Natural Park of Maremma and the medieval coastal town of Talamone.
Thursday: Morning language lesson; afternoon sporting activity with the assistance of a professional instructor.
Friday: Morning language lesson; afternoon free.

Italian, cuisine and wine trail:
The Tuscan Maremma is one of the Italian regions in which the food-industry tends more towards organic production processes and finds a natural ally in the most ancient tradition of Mediterranean cuisine and wine making. The students attending this course will be able to enter the kitchen of traditional Italian families and prepare, with their own hands and under the guidance of expert cooks, traditional dishes (from starters to desserts), and to taste these dishes with some of the best Italian wines. This is a two-week course which includes:

THE PROGRAM:

Week 1:
20 hours of general Italian language, Monday to Friday from9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1 afternoon workshop on Mediterranean typical cuisine (4 course meal). The dishes will be eaten at dinner, with the host family.
Visit to the fish farm on the Laguna di Orbetello, dinner at the fishermen’s restaurant with typical local dishes.
Day excursion to the Isola del Giglio (with possibility of trekking, visit to the medieval town, fish lunch at a restaurant on the beach, swim in the sea).
Visit to a local organic food farm, with local foods and organic wines tasting.

Week 2:
Afternoon visit to the Maremma inland, its medieval, rock-clinging towns and Etruscan necropolis; stopover at the spa centre in Saturnia; dinner in typical local restaurant.
1 afternoon workshop of typical Maremma and Lazio cuisine, cooking a full 4 course meal, dinner with the host family in their seaside villa.
Afternoon excursion to the Maremma Natural Park; evening stopover at La Parrina farm with local wine tasting.
Visit to the local dairy, cheese-making centre "Caseificio di Manciano".
2 hours of language study.

Italian courses with university credits:
The courses leading to university credits are divided into the 6 levels described by Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The lessons are divided into two modules: MLB (basic linguistic module)and MLT(thematic linguistic module). At the end of each course, students have to pass the exam to obtain credits recognized by the University of Sienna. Credits can be cumulated and spent in any other University.