|
Learn Italian in the Gothic city of Siena, Italy
|
|
|
Views
|
Date Posted
|
|
2315
|
Tue October 9, 2007
|
|
|
Looking for:
|
SIENA ... A ****** JEWEL
Sitting on the rolling hills in the heart of Tuscany lies a pricesless ****** jewel, Siena. A city that is both passionate and contemplative, proud of its unequaled artistic heritage but always forward-thinking. Siena is the ideal setting for an immersion in the culture, art, history, and cuising of Italy.
It's villas, alleys, and piazzas create an ambience of bygone centuries even if modern innovations and the conveniences they bring with them guarantee a high quality of life, making Siena accessible for people of all ages. With its historic centre closed to automobile traffic, Siena is safe and relaxed; you can walk its streets at all hours of the day or night and feel the magic of this grand, urban drawing room.
During the Palio an explosion of banners, sounds, and songs permeaters the air, bringing to the forefront the ancient traditions of the Siena which was, in the Middle Ages, not just a city but a powerful Republic. The various celebrations that surround this momentous event, and that take place throughout the year, make Siena a place of nearly constant amusement, entertainment, and unique experiences.
A university city and an international one, a land of merchants and bankers, of artists and writers, cradle of the Italian language, Siena reveals itself more to the traveller than to the tourist. To the attentive visitor who wishes to understand, and to become more than a passive spectator, countless wonders await. And there is no better method to facilitate this profound and unforgettable encounter than a knowledge of the language.
OUR LOCATION ... STUDY IN A DISTINUISHED PALAZZO IN THE MOST ANCIENT PART OF SIENA
The Societą Dante Alighieri was created in 1889 by a group of Italy's leading intellectuals, writers and scholars, including Nobel Prize Winner Giosuč Carducci. Originally tasked in helping Italians abroad maintain their spiritual and cultural roots in Italy, the Societą now works to spread the Italian language and culture throughout the world. With a network of more than 400 Comitati from Nagoya to New York, Buenos Aires to Bangkok, Jerusalem to Sydney, the Societą offers courses in Italian, organises cultural exhibitions, grants prizes and scholarships to students of Italian, striving constantly to keep Italy and its cultural heritage alive in the world.
The school was founded in 1979, and since then it has grown both in size and reputation, in Italy and abroad. Since 1990, it has represented the Siena branch of the famous Societą Dante Alighieri.
The courses in the Italian language, culture and cuisine are held in a distinguished palazzo in the most ancient part of Siena, Castelvecchio. Here, students can enjoy 20 large, sunlit classrooms, as well as a culinary studio, a reading room and well-stocked library, and a student lounge with games and musical instruments to enjoy during periods of relaxation.
Ours' is an engaging locale where you will meet people of all ages and nationalities, with whom you will share the experience of learning Italian in a stimulating yet relaxed environment.
QUALITY TEACHING
Studying a language in its country of origin provides a valuable and formative linguistic and cultural experience. Entering into contact with native speakers and cultural informants allows learners to continually improve their own capabilities to understand and communicate. All of the teachers in the school are spe******ts in the teaching of Italian as a second language. What is more, they are constantly furthering their own learning in this field by participating in seminars and continuing education programs.
The teaching methodology they adopt is focused on communicative learning, allowing students to acquire the skills necessary to express themselves and to understand others so as to interact with Italians. The use of varied didactic techniques makes the classroom fun, stimulating, and motivating, never dull.
Under the guidance of the Director of Studies, each of our courses follows a syllabus that accords with one of the six levels of linguistic competency laid out by the European Concil.
The lessons will help the students to inductively gain a knowledge of the linguistic structures appropriate to their level, and to put this knowledge to use by communicating in various contexts. Our teachers place great importance on using authentic Italian-language materials, allowing students to explore the language in the varieties of its use.
OUR FACILITIES
Our computer room has 5 computers, giving efficient internet access. The school is covered wireless. A study room with piano is at disposal of the students. Our weekly social program includes an orientation tour of Siena and the school.
An English or Japanese-speaking tutor meets students once a week to help them with their homework or to understand the grammar taught in classes. The school has various patios where students can relax at break times or meet friends after class.
SOCIAL PROGRAMME
Each month the school offers a rich programme of activities to supplement our language courses. These include the screenings of Italian films, guided visits to the museums and historic sites of Siena and its neighboring cities and towns, lectures and conferences, trips to the Sienese countryside and to the major Tuscan cities, wine tastings, and explorations of the foods of Tuscany.
LANGUAGE COURSES
Prospective students can choose from a vast range of courses, each at a different level and targeted to a different goal, so that there is a perfect solution for almost everyone.
Classes are international with an average of 8 students to a maximum of 12. Each hour of the lesson lasts a full 60 minutes, rather than an "academic hour", allowing the students to receive more teaching time.
Group Courses
Most of our courses can be taken on their own or in different combinations, from standard to highly intensive. There are various timetables to choose from and you can take a course for 15, 20 or 25 hours a week.
Combined Courses
These are made up of group lessons in the morning and either individual lessons or more group study in the afternoon. They offer the opportunity to focus on specific aspects of the language and culture.
The afternoon sessions can focus on the study of the grammar and vocabulary, improvement in verbal communication, the acquisition of focused vocabulary, and the study of Italian art and culture, at the student's discretion.
PLIDA Preparation Courses
These are structured around the demand of the PLIDA exam, in order to help the students to effectively prepare for the exam at whatever level they have chosen to seek certification. They begin two weeks before the exam session and last 30 hours.
Mini group and one-to-one
The lenght, number, and focus of the lessons can conform to the student's needs and desire. Mini-group courses are recommended for students who have the same linguistic levels and goals or come from the same company.
CULTURAL COURSES
Siena Heritage
Offered in combination with our language courses, as well as for brief stays in the city, this course consists of two afternoon sessions per week. The course is intended to introduce students to Siena, its history, and its art through classroom lectures and discussion, and guided visits to museums and historic sites.
Siena Magnifica
This programme combines language, culture, and culinary lessons. The study of the language becomes the primary means to enter into a variety of experiences in Italian society. The programme includes guided museum visits, trips within and around Siena and its surrounding cities, wine tastings, and an introduction to Tuscany's culinary treasures.
History of Italian Opera
Offered in combination with our language courses, this course allows students to deepen their understanding of Italian Opera through critical reading of individual librettos. In addition to aiding the reading and comprehension of the librettos themselves, the course introduces students to the psychological, sociological and cultural study of the works' protagonists, and to the interpretation of the singing and gestures of the genre's most influent preformers.
We are always working to offer new cultural opportunities. In recent years these have included courses in the visual and performing arts, nutrition, artis**** crafts and many more.
SPECIAL PROGRAMMES
Culinary Courses
Offered in combination with our language courses, the study of Italy's cuisines provides a fun and unique way to engage with the country's culture and language, as well as to discover the unparalleled richness of its culinary patrimony. Under the expert guidance of local culinary chefs, students will preparare a variety of traditional Italian dishes, including many types of pasta and foccaccia, seasonal vegetables, and main dishes of fish and a variety of meats.
Internship
Structured in two phases, the first focused on linguistic studies, the second an internship lasting from 1 to 6 month in a local business. This programme offers the opportunity to participate in the dynamic Italian economy, allowing for professional growth and concentrated cultural immersion.
P.L.I.D.A. certificate
The Progetto LIngua Italiana Dante Alighieri (PLIDA) is an official certification of competence of Italian granted by the Societą Dante Alighieri, in joint venture with the University of Rome "La Sapienza".
The PLIDA verifies competence in Italian as a second language on the six-leveled scale laid out by the European Commission. A passing score on the exam at one of these levels entitles the student to a diploma recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by the Ministry of Education, University Studies, and Research, and grants a title accepted in university admissions and applicable for college-level coursework.
ACCOMMODATION
The choice of where to stay is without doubt an important concern for anyone planning to visit a new city. For this reason our staff works hard to obtain and reserve housing that meets our students' needs and desires. We will find you a place to stay in the historic centre of the city or, if you wish, in the surrounding countryside, and accessible with public transport.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information please do not hesitate to contact our team or visit our website:
Dante Alighieri Siena
Via Tommaso Pendola 37
I - 53100 Siena
Toscana
Italy
Tel.: 39-0577-49533
Fax: 39-0577-270646
SkyPE: SDA,Siena
http://www.dantealighieri.com
info@dantealighieri.com
|
|
Keywords:
|
language dante school italian course siena learn culture italy tuition
|
|
|
|
Dave's Travel Corner, Message Boards
