Learning Italian in Italy
There are Italian language courses to suit everyone. The main distinction in language school is between the Universities for Foreigners (Universita per Stmnieri) and the private language schools.
Throughout the year Universities for Foreigners offer high quality, good value courses at all levels of Italian. The length of the courses ranges from one to three months or longer but it is possible to attend for shorter periods. There are Universities for Foreigners in Perugia, Siena, Florence, Lecce and Reggio di Calabria . If you are considering a course of a month or more then one of these universities should be at the top of your list regardless of your age or educational background. Perugia is a favourite and has the most flexible range of courses starting every month of the year. The number of students per class can be high particularly in Perugia, Florence and Siena.
In addition to the Universitli per Stranieri many other Italian universities run intensive summer courses in Italian language and culture. These are usually an all-inclusive package of lessons, accommodation and excursions.
The private language schools offer a more personal and supportive service than the universities. They are often small local businesses and it is in their interests to please their customers. They run flexible courses ranging from a weekend to several months for all levels of Italian. They are, however, much more expensive. If, however, you are considering a short course of a week or two then a private language school is the best bet.
The private language schools tend to overcharge for their accommodation, even if they claim to run a 'free' service. Booked locally accommodation will cost around half that booked through a private school. Most of the private language schools charge an enrolment fee (iscrizione) in addition to the cost of the course. This is a one-off payment ranging from €20 to €100.
The Societa Dante Alighieri is halfway between a private language school and a university. It is the oldest Italian association to teach Italian to foreigners. It was founded in 1889 following the initiative of some of the great cultural figures of the time. There are 500 committees worldwide and language schools throughout Italy . The schools have a similar atmosphere to the private language schools but are cheaper. They sometimes, however have classes of 20 or more students. The schools are usually housed in beautiful, historic buildings.
In Summary: The private language schools are good for short holiday courses but nothing beats the value and quality of teaching in the universities for courses of a month or more. For the more adventurous person, there are many regions still relatively unknown to tourists such as Lecce in Puglia and Reggio in Calabria.
