Italian language courses in Tuscany

General information on language school

• classes comprise a maximum of 10 students, although the yearly average is less
• lessons are held from Monday to Friday, usually from 9am to 1.15pm (with a break from 11 to 11.15am), and occasionally in the afternoon
• a one hour class is deemed to be a full 60 minutes
• textbooks and/or teaching materials such as photocopies are included in the prices
• we offer 5 levels - Beginners, Elementary, Intermediate I, Intermediate II, and Advanced
• on the first day, students are asked to take a placement test; afterwards there is an introduction and welcome meeting
• students receive an Attendance and Achievement Certificate upon completion of their course
• if only one student applies for the "Super Intensive" course this will be converted automatically into a  "Combined" course (see details below)
• afternoon schedules can vary according to staff and/or student needs
• the minimum age for enrolment  is 14 years.
  There is no maximum age.

We offer following Italian courses

A Intensive courses (20 lessons per week)
B Super-intensive courses (30 lessons)
C Combined  courses
D Preliminary  courses
E Individual courses and lessons

Additional courses

A Intensive courses

• Four hours of group lessons a day, from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 11am and from 11.15am to 1.15pm, for two, three or four weeks (40, 60, 80  hours total).
• This type of course is suited to students who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Italian language and culture through   lessons, regional visits, and following individual interests.

B Super-intensive courses

• Six hours of group lessons a day, from Monday to Friday, for two, three, and four weeks (60, 90, 120 hours total). During the two extra hours, there is a maximum of five students per class.
• This type of instruction is aimed at those who would like to benefit from an even more complete language course. However, because it is not always possible to arrange afternoon lessons according to the school's excursion programme some students may prefer to choose the Combined course.
• Timetable: 9am to 11am, (break), 11.15am to 1.15pm (maximum of 10 students per class), 3 pm to 5 pm (minimum of two, maximum of five students per class).

C Combined  courses

• Four hours of group lessons (from 9am to 1.15pm) combined with a one hour individual lesson (afternoon) a day, for two, three, and four weeks (50, 75, 100 hours total).
• Combined courses are recommended for students who want to deepen their knowledge of the Italian language and culture.  Subjects of special interest or a specific linguistic field can be included in the instruction. Individual instruction times are related to the group lesson timetable and, when possible, can be arranged according to the school programme and the students' needs.

D Preliminary  courses

• Ten hours a week for one or more weeks (two hours of group lessons a day for one and two weeks, from 9am to 11am), or 20 hours a week for one week.
• This type of course addresses the needs of students who want an introduction to the Italian language and culture. A week, of course, is not enough to learn a language but this is a good opportunity for those on a short holiday.
• Unless there is a minimum of five participants students enrolled for only two hours will attend a section of the four hour classes appropriate to their level.

E Individual courses and lessons

• These are recommended for people with particular linguistic, cultural, and practical needs, as well as for those who want to examine specific topics. Il Sillabo  arranges lessons according to individual students’ needs.
• Special prices are available for those who book 20 or more hours. For specific purposes, such as lessons on translation, architectural Italian and medical Italian, charges are generally higher. However, prior notice is required so that the best specialised teachers can be engaged.
  
  In both cases lessons are planned during the first meeting or earlier.
  

Additional Italian courses

F History of Art
G Italian literature
H Cooking courses
I Antique furniture courses
J Archaeology courses
K Drawing

F HISTORY OF ART

This course comprises an urban and historic introduction to Firenze from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and to the most renowned Tuscan artists such as Giotto, Masaccio, Donatello, Piero Della Francesca, Brunelleschi, Arnolfo di Cambio, Michelangelo and others. The lecturer presents and discusses visual material such as old maps, historical documentation and slides of the most renowned masterpieces. The prices include lecture notes.

Timetable: 8 hours (two hourly afternoon lessons once a week for four weeks, plus four on-site lessons)

G ITALIAN LITERATURE COURSES

This course is an analysis of texts, their style and contents as a starting-point for studying Italian literature.  The teacher selects the subjects and literature according to the needs and wishes of the students. The prices include lecture notes.

Timetable: 8 hours (one or two lessons a week, two hours each over two or four weeks)

I COOKING COURSES

The Cooking course is a pleasant, appetising opportunity to learn the secrets of Italian cuisine under the patient guidance Alessio Romagnoli.
As a child he always loved watching his mother prepare hand-made pasta, cakes and other delicious dishes, and when grown up he started attending courses to learn more and more about Italian cooking.
He has continued attending specialisation courses and undertaking practical experience in hotel kitchens. Lately he has started holding cooking classes for small groups and arranging buffets for birthdays, marriages and other celebrations.

Alessio is not only a good cook but a better teacher because he lets his students handle the ingredients and cook themselves.

You don't have to be a chef to attend his courses: your enthusiasm and your willingness to taste Mediterranean flavours and smell Italian cooking aromas will be enough. Cooking lessons at Il Sillabo are not professional, but serious enough for you to learn how to make typical Italian dishes and amuse yourself with your fellow students.

More details on cooking lessons here

J ANTIQUE FURNITURE COURSES

Florentine furniture from the 15th Century to the present day is the subject of these courses. Including theoretical and on-site lessons at antique furniture workshops. The prices include lecture notes, but not transportation.

           Timetable: 8 hours (four two-hour lessons once or twice a week)

K ARCHAEOLOGY COURSES

These courses involve an introduction to Etruscan and Roman archaeology.The prices include lecture notes.

           Timetable: 4 hours (two lessons of two hours each)

L DRAWING

For these courses students don't need to speak Italian because instruction is practical, not theoretical. Lessons are held in afternoons in a well-lit hall in a building near the school.
The contents of this course are related to the student’s needs and knowledge and are arranged by agreement with the teacher. Usually the course involves

• real-life charcoal drawing using the proportional method and study of chiaroscuro
• the study of real-life composition, copying from the Great Masters (portrait study),
• the study of the Tuscan landscape and pastel technique outline (optional).

The equipment required includes charcoal and drawing pencils, a special soft eraser and a few sheets of drawing paper. If requested while enrolling Il Sillabo can provide applicants with a complete drawing kit at additional cost.  Students must supply their own aprons or smocks.

Timetable: 8 hours (two 2-hour lessons a week for 2 weeks)