Florence Academy of Italian Music, Art
and Italian Language: Courses.

Italian Language Instructors:

Our instructors, fully qualified and highly trained, are continuously updated on the most modern methods and research in the field of language didactics, guaranteeing a constant awareness of it's functional aspects as well as the guidelines for a natural and active learning of the language. From the very first day of class, students are put in to the condition to be able to learn the language by actively "using" the language to confront common, everyday situations, to learn specific vocabulary and expressions and apply the correct grammatical functions.

The Method of Teaching Italian to Foreigners:

Our method is based mainly on the achievement of linguistic proficiency through a consistent progress in all 4 of the fundamental skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing. Another very important aspect is, of course, the development of a linguistic foundation built on the solid knowledge and comprehension of the grammatical structures and syntax of the language.

A rapid and precise learning of the language is the goal of our courses, and likewise we encourage our students to constantly practice the use of the language, both in and outside of the classroom, during the extra-curricular activities to motivate their interest in learning the language through interaction.

Italian Language Course Levels:

Foreign Language Courses.

To encourage interaction and cultural exchange between Italian and foreign students, our school organizes foreign language courses for Italians or for those interested in learning another foreign language: English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese and Chinese.

The mother-tongue instructors, motivated and experienced, are constantly updated on language teaching techniques and methodologies. Each language course offers beginner and advanced levels.

Starting with the beginner course, the students will learn rapidly and effectively to comprehend and interact correctly in the language being studied. The advanced levels are indicated for students who, for their job or their studies, need to learn to elaborate more complex texts, regarding both context and formality.

The courses are scheduled in such a way to be compatible with work/school schedules. Our central location is also very convenient for those who live or work in the city center. For those who have little time during the week, the "once a week" course allows them to attend lessons on Saturday. For more information, please contact us.

Music Courses:

History of Italian Music. Guided by a musicologist experienced in teaching foreigners, students will acquire a broad understanding of the History of Music... History and Language of Melodrama. Melodrama is a fundamental aspect of Italian music: an expert in this sector traces a profile of the history of this art form... Opera Directing. A stage director, after the initial lessons concerning the general problems: lighting, stage sets, libretto and stage directions... Opera Libretti. An specialized instructor explains and illustrates the specific 'language' of Opera libretti... Vocal Technique for Lyrical Singers. A professional signer and expert in voice engineering, guides students toward a correct use of the most recent techniques for vocalists... Vocal Music of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque. In the city where opera was born, one cannot but give tribute to the interpretative techniques of ancient music... Interpretation of Chamber Lyrics. The vocal repertoire of chamber or parlour music has a different context than the operatic tradition and therefore requires an appropriate interpretation... Neapolitan Song. For this very particular and traditional repertoire, the instructor, a specialist in Neapolitan song, teaches and helps to perfect the interpretation, the pronunciation, the technical preparation... Group Song. Guided by a maestro, who also accompanies on the piano, the students will prepare a program of songs including pieces from varied genres... Diction for Singers. For those who intend to follow a career in singing, it is very important to master the linguistic rendering and pronunciation of the interpretation ... Piano Accompaniment. This course is open to all students who, for professional or personal reasons, must accompany singers through their studies, rehearsals or performances... Piano - Elementary / Advanced. The course is designed for students who either wish to begin, better or perfect piano playing... Musical Instruments. The course is designed for students who either wish to begin, better or perfect their playing of any musical instrument at any level of competence... Learn more about Music Courses.

Art Courses:

Watercolor. After having studied the basic notions of color theory and the techniques of form and content, transparency and opacity through the 'language' of figurative painting... Oil Painting. During the course, students will learn the fundamental techniques of oil painting through the study of still-life compositions, and in the case of more advanced students... Sketches of Florence. As was popular with the travelers in the 19th century, the students will draw views of everyday life as well as the landscape of Florence which they most interesting. They mediums used will vary from charcoal to pencils, and ink. Figure Drawing. Students will learn the basic techniques of drawing, the use of the materials and techniques to draw from still-life compositions... Ceramics. During this course students will be introduced to modeling the clay with the wheel as well as decorating, firing and enameling techniques. Sculpture. This is a course for those interested in learning or perfecting the technique of clay modeling... Appraisal of Antiques. A specialized course for students in field of antiques or restoration or even for antique lovers, teaches students how to correctly evaluate the origin and age of antique objects and furniture... Photography. This beginners course begins with the understanding the basics of photography: the camera and how it works (the light meter, aperture, shutter and film speeds... Learn more about Art Courses.

Italian Culture Courses:

Art History. The professor will trace an historic profile a outline a general view of Italian art, placing particular importance on the Florentine Renaissance. History of Literature. The panorama of Italian Literature extremely vast; yet it is possible to trace a few guidelines that can help in understanding its most interesting and innovative themes... History of Italian Cinema. During the aftermath World War II, Italian cinema underwent an evolution, creating new ideas, original themes, and some of cinema's greatest film-makers. History of Contemporary Italy. This course reviews the social and political history Italy in the second half of the 20th century... History of Italian Theater. A large part of Italy's most authentic regional culture is expressed through theater, and, like the tradition of the Commedia dell'Arte... Short Courses. The Academy can organize short courses in Art History for those students who are in Florence only a short period of time, but who wish to take advantage of the city's rich artistic patrimony. Learn more about Italian Culture Courses.