Lingua Service Worldwide, Ltd.

Italian Courses in SIENA

Siena, with its Gothic facades, is a city proud of its ancient traditions and suspicious of outside influences which may alter its cultural physiognomy. This characteristic has not hindered an endless flow of visitors to this fairy tale city beginning the Middle Ages to the dawn of the 20th century.  An "oasis of the spirit", a town far removed from the frenzied pace of Italy's larger cities, Siena has preserved its own urban dimension, guarding her art treasures and continuing, undisturbed, to celebrate her most precious festivity, the Palio, in an atmosphere typical of the Renaissance. A great location to learn Italian and experience Italian culture.

  Centro Internazionale - Dante Alighieri
 

Many years of experience have enabled the center to develop its own didactic method, employed by the teachers under the guidance of the Director of Studies.  All teachers are highly qualified university graduates and are all specialized in the teaching of Italian as a second language. 

NB: Centro Internazionale was last visited and inspected by Lingua Service Worldwide in May 2000.

Italian Language Programs 2008:

(All programs: Please add USD 100.00 Lingua Service Worldwide Application fee. See Application Procedures.)

Each Italian Course level lasts 4 weeks. Students may attend the school an learn Italian for any length of time from 2 weeks to 9 months. Lessons last 60 minutes and there is a maximum of 12 students per class. Please note new course structure for 2008!

Standard Italian Course: Group 12 --- 15 lessons per week: 2 weeks: USD 559.  3 weeks: USD 782.  4 weeks: USD 974.  Additional weeks: USD 216 each.   Long Term: 12 weeks USD 2,626.   24 weeks:  USD 5,118.

Intensive Italian Course: Group 12 --- 20 lessons per week: 1 week:   USD 431.  2 weeks: USD 718. 3 weeks: USD 958.  4 weeks: USD 1,149.  Additional weeks: USD 247 each.  

Super Intensive Italian Course: 20 group lessons per week + 4 hours of group cultural course in the afternoons:  1 week:   USD 511.  2 weeks: USD 878.   3 weeks: USD 1,197.  4 weeks: USD 1,469.  Additional weeks: USD 327 each.  

Super Intensive Italian Combined Course PLUS 4: 15 group lessons + 4 private lessons per week. 1 week:  USD 607.   2 weeks: USD 934.  3 weeks: USD 1,349.   4 weeks: USD 1,707.  Extra weeks: USD 391 each.

Super Intensive Italian Combined Course PLUS 8: 15 group lessons + 8 private lessons per week. 1 week:  USD 798.   2 weeks: USD 1,317.  3 weeks: USD 1,924.   4 weeks: USD 2,451.  Extra weeks: USD 583 each.

Text books must be purchased on site: Approx. USD 56 depending on your language level.

Private Italian lessons:  10 lessons per week:  USD 750,  15 lessons per week: USD 1,070,  20 lessons per week:  USD 1,389.   30 lessons per week: USD 2,028.  

Starting Dates 2008 : (The following starting dates are compulsory for absolute beginners only. All other levels may start every Monday)

Holidays 2008:  24 March,  25 April, 1 May,  2 June, 15 Aug,  1 Nov,  8 Dec.  School will be closed from 16 December 2006 until 7 January 2007.    Classes lost to holidays listed above are not made up!. NOTE: The school will also close in the afternoon on 2 July and 16 August for the "Palio" race, but classes lost during that time will be made up during the week.  The school will be closed from 19 December 2008 until 5 January 2009 for the Christmas holidays.

Cooking  Courses  2008  - Learn Italian and Italian Cuisine at the same time!

Cooking Courses:  Several options are offered. 

A.  Cultural Cooking sessions:  Available year round.  Held in the evenings from 6:15 to 10:30 PM, with emphasis on Tuscan cuisine. Each lesson finishes with a delicious dinner prepared by the students.  This course can only be taken in conjunction with a language course.   Prices: 1 session (1 evening): USD 85.   2 sessions (2 evenings):  USD 169.  Each additional session:  USD 81.    Materials are included in all prices.

B:  Amateur and Professional cooking courses:  Available at set starting dates during the year.  Please check the Italian Cuisine web page for information:  Italian Cuisine Courses 2008 !

Official Examinations --- Dante Alighieri prepares the students and takes care of the registrations for the CILS (Certificate of Italian as a Foreign Language) examination. This certificate in Italian language competence can be taken at four different levels and on various dates which are set annually by the University of Siena. The exam can be taken either in Siena or in the students' own country. Schedules and prices provided upon request.

Accommodations 2008:

Please note accommodation charges are to be paid upon arrival in local currency (Euros) within 3 days of arrival. IMPORTANT NOTE: Students requesting accommodations must ADD a USD 114 accommodation fee to the course prices listed below, this fee is payable prior to arrival and will be included in your invoice. Prices detailed below have been converted to USD using an average exchange rate to be used for budgeting purposes. Actual amount to be paid will be detailed in final invoices.

Host Family: Private room, 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner).  2 weeks: Approx.   USD 620.   3 weeks: Approx.   USD 915.   4 weeks: Approx. USD 1210.

Host Family: Private room, breakfast only.  2 weeks: Approx.   USD 450.   3 weeks: Approx.   USD 636.   4 weeks: Approx. USD 822.

Shared Flat: Share with Italian students and/or other students (no meals /use of kitchen). 2 weeks: Approx. USD 450.  3 weeks  Approx.   USD 636.   4 weeks: Approx. USD 822.

Residence and Hotels: Prices available upon request.

Activities

Every month the school offers a program of social activities: cocktail parties, films, guided museum visits, "pizza in piazza," excursions, dinners, and conferences, and a farewell breakfast. Activities are offered free of charge, but students must pay for transportation fees, meals or entrance fees where applicable. The center has at its disposal tennis courts at a special price and organizes a gymnastics course with music.

Airport pick-up: Airport pick-up service is available upon request and at additional cost. 

What former students have to say about the center:

"Dante Alighieri attracts a wide variety of people. No matter what your age or interests, you will meet people similar to you. My teachers were young, extremely motivated and interesting.  A great way to learn Italian. I came back ecstatic!"
- Barbara Weinstein

"A once in a lifetime experience. I met many wonderful and interesting people from all over the world.  I also developed a better appreciation for the culture, art and history of Italy"   -  Jannine Belveal

"My experience was more than I had hoped for! The school was wonderful, I met people I will keep in touch with. I learned so much Italian, Italy and Tuscan cooking.  I can hardly wait to go back!"  - Alison Goldie

" This was a life-altering experience that has changed my views on living.  Absolutely incredible! This was the best decision I have ever made.   The school and its teachers were phenomenal!"  -   Douglas Malan,  Journalist

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