Italian Courses in Siena, Italy
Surrounded by the olive groves and vineyards of Chianti, Siena lies on three hills in the middle of Tuscany. It is a city right out of a picture with medieval houses and small streets, leading up to the Cathedral or down to the wonderful Piazza del Campo. The people of Siena – one of the first city states – love their city and every year they celebrate it with a traditional horse race called the Pallio.
Italian Courses in Siena at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
The Scuola Leonardo da Vinci is located three minutes away from Piazza del Campo in the historical center of Siena. From its garden you can enjoy a fantastic view of the whole city and the Duomo.
The Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Italian language schools teach according to the Direct Method: from the first day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken in class. The spoken language is the most important part of the tuition. Continually promoting the use of verbal communication permit you to learn Italian “naturally”, to unite theory with practice with no great problems and to increase your knowledge quickly and with confidence. In advanced courses the written language will also be promoted.
The teaching staff consists of young teams of experienced language teachers, all of whom studied at the University and who have been specially trained in teaching Italian to foreigners.
Most of the teaching materials have been developed by the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci and are continually updated using the most recent foreign language research.
But teaching Italian does not consist, for the staff at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci schools, in just teaching grammar and vocabulary. They want to allow their students to gain insight into the Italian way of life and culture. This is why they offer, in addition to the language courses, a whole range of optional activities to their students.
Please click on the following tabs for more information:
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Italian Language Courses
All courses: minimum age 16. Each lesson is 45 minutes. Prices include: placement, assessment and final tests, teaching materials (basic course material for Art courses), free internet access, certificate of attendance and student card. A school enrollment fee of $88.00 must be added to all course prices listed below.
Italian Courses in Siena – Course Options:
Intensive Italian Courses – Group course (12 students maximum per class). 20 Italian language lessons per week (4 lessons per day from Monday to Friday). All levels from Beginner to Advanced.
Intensive Italian PLUS 5 Group Course – Group course (12 students Max. in group class) PLUS one-to-one Italian lessons. 20 Italian language lessons per week of Standard morning group classes PLUS 5 hours a week private instruction in the afternoon.
Private Italian Courses – One-to-one Italian language lessons – All prices per week: 15 or 20 Italian language lessons per week (other options available, contact us for pricing). Private courses can start any Monday of the year!
Italian Courses in Siena – Prices 2019 and 2020:
(All programs: NO application fee. A non-refundable USD 100.00 deposit is required at the time of enrollment. Deposit will be subtracted from final program invoice. See Application Procedures.)
| Course | One week | Two weeks | Three weeks | Four weeks | Six weeks | Eight weeks | Twelve weeks | Twenty Four weeks | Extra Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intensive Italian Group Course: | $255 | $462 | $656 | $875 | $1,167 | $1,556 | $2,188 | $3,792 | |
| Intensive Italian PLUS 5 Group Course: | $498 | $948 | $1,386 | $1,823 | -- | -- | -- | $438 | |
| Private Italian language lessons (15 per wk.): | $820 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $820 | |
| Private Italian language lessons (20 per wk.): | $1,094 | $1,094 | |||||||
| "La Dolce Vita" 50+ Course for Senior Citizens: | $602 | $1,179 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
IMPORTANT: an $88.00 school registration fee must be added to all course prices.
2019 Starting dates for Group Italian Courses: Complete beginners MUST start on the following dates: 7 or 21 January / 4 or 18 February / 4 or 18 March / 1, 15 or 29 April / 6 or 20 May / 3 or 17 June / 1, 15 or 29 July / 5 or 19 August / 2, 16 or 30 September / 14 or 28 October / 11 or 25 November / 9 December. ALL other levels may start ANY Monday.
Holidays 2019: School is closed on 22 April, 1 May, 15 August, 1 November. The school will be closed from 21 December 2019 until 6 January 2020.
2020 Starting dates for Group Italian Courses: Complete beginners MUST start on the following dates: 7 or 20 January / 3 or 17 February / 2, 16 or 30 March / 6 or 20 April / 4 or 18 May / 1, 15 or 29 June / 6 or 20 July / 3, 17 or 31 August / 14 or 28 September / 12 or 26 October / 9 or 23 November / 7 December. ALL other levels may start ANY Monday.
Holidays 2020: School is closed on 6 January, 13 April, 1 May, 8 December. The school will be closed from 19 December 2020 until 3 January 2021.
Special Italian Courses in Siena:
NEW! “La Dolce Vita” – 50+ Course for Senior Citizens: A course specifically designed for students over 50 years of age. One or two week course combining 20 Italian Language lessons during the mornings with daily activities and excursions during the afternoons. Important Note: A minimum of 3 students is required for this program to be offered. In case there is only one participant enrolled at any given time, the morning classes will be substituted with the Intensive Plus course (see above) and all standard organized activities during the week will be offered free of charge.
La Dolce Vita Sample Activities:
One week Program: Guided city tour and local aperitif in the ‘Campo’ square; visit to the Duomo, the imposing cathedral of Siena; wine tasting guided by expert sommelier; guided visit to the fascinating fountains of Siena; traditional Tuscan dinner in a local Trattoria.
Two week program: The One Week Course schedule listed above is followed by: weekend excursion to the Beauty of Southern Tuscany: Montalcino, San Quirico, Montepulciano; introduction to Tuscan cuisine: lesson and tasting; Guided tour of the ‘Palazzo Pubblico’, Siena’s graceful gothic town hall; relaxing half day excursion at the Spa of Rapolano; ‘Pecorino’ cheese tasting, accompanied by a selection of honeys and marmalades.
Prices include: 20 Italian Language lessons per week, afternoon activities and excursions (Mon-Fri), placement, assessment and final tests, teaching materials, free internet access, certificate of attendance, and student card. Accommodations in host families are available upon request. See below for pricing.
Starting dates 2020: 18 May, 14 September, 12 October.
“La Dolce Vita” 50+ Italian Courses – Prices 2020:
School enrollment fee: $88.00
1 week program: $602.00 // 2 week program: $1,179.00
Accommodations in a host family in single private room with breakfast daily. Double rooms are available at reduced rates for students traveling together, please contact us for details.:
1 week $277.00, 2 weeks $405.00
Important note: host family accommodations are paid directly to the host family upon arrival. Prices listed are for budgeting purposes and subject to change due to currency fluctuations. Students will be advised of actual amount to be paid in Euros at time of registration.
Other Italian Courses also available: Please call us or e-mail us for prices and schedules on the following courses.
– “Italy Today” course – a combination of language training and introduction to art, culture, history and folklore as well as discussions on the current social and political climate in Italy.
– Italian Courses for Business and Commerce.
– Business Correspondence.
– Italian Courses for the Hotel / Hospitality Industry.
– History of Art.
– Italian Cuisine or Italian Wines Courses. Evening sessions once a week – each session last approximately 3 hours: USD 130 per session for Cuisine course, USD 130 per session for Wine course. Language level recommended: elementary and above.
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Accommodations
The Scuola Leonardo da Vinci offers accommodations in carefully selected host families and shared apartments. The following prices are provided for budgeting purposes only. Payment for accommodations is done directly to the host family / landlord upon arrival in local currency.
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Siena – Accommodation Prices 2019 and 2020:
| Housing Description | One Week | Two weeks | Extra weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host Family: Single room, breakfast: | $287 | $405-$460 | Approx. $240 |
| Host Family: Single room, Half board | $392 | $620-$700 | Approx. $365 |
| Apartment Share: Single room, no meals & kitchen privileges | $256 | $350-$400 | $185-$225 |
* Important Note: a refundable deposit of 100 Euros is required for all apartment accommodations. This deposit is refunded upon departure. Any verifiable damage caused by the student will be deducted from the deposit.
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Siena – Activities
Every month the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci school offers and activity program which includes a number of varied outings and get-togethers including museum and gallery visits, dinners, dancing and excursions. The activity program is designed to complement their Italian Courses by giving students the opportunity to experience the local culture. Some activities are offered free of charge while others involve a nominal fee. A welcome party and a tour of the city is arranged at the beginning of each monthly session. Optional weekend excursions are also arranged at reasonable cost.
Airport Transfers: Available upon request at additional cost. Transfers from Amerigo Vespucci Florence airport: USD 260 each way.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prices are subject to change due to fluctuating foreign currency rates.