All of our teachers are university graduates, speak at least two other languages, have studied these languages at university and/or language schools abroad, and have been trained to teach Italian as a second/foreign language. As a member school of A.S.I.L.S. we take advantage of the regulary scheduled teacher training seminars and workshops offered by A.S.I.L.S. In addition, we organize our own, on going, in-house, teacher training program.

Our first aim is communication, both oral and written. The grammatical structures are always introduced in some form of authentic text (newspaper or magazine article, taped dialogue, video-taped situation, letter, short-short story, etc.), students are engaged in analyses of the grammatical structures presented and involved in meaningful practice, communicative activities and tasks.

There is a maximum number of 8 students per class. This limit ensures a small group environment conducive to communication and offers each student the opportunity to speak as much as possible.

Levels:

The program is divided into six levels:

The Formation Program is divided into three levels (elementary, intermediate and superior) and allows the students to reach the "Threshold Level", i.e. the level of communicative competence according to the Modern Language Project of the Council of Europe.

The Specialization Program is divided into three levels (Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and Advanced 3) and allows the students to reach a level of competence in the Italian language which is necessary for entrance into an Italian university.

Each level lasts four weeks. Students are welcome to enroll for as few as 2 weeks or as many as 6 months.

*Special Note: completion of a particular 4 week course does not guarantee advancement to the next level. Language learning is not a mechanical endeavor. It is an academic endeavor which contains a personal / psychological component as well. Some students have elected to repeat a particular level or delay advancement by a week or two, so as to continue study and practice of particular structures, so as to feel more comfortable. Because our program is developed from a Communicative based approach and because our materials, activities and tasks are quite extensive, there is no risk that the student will repeat the same activities, using the same materials. In fact, our program is designed with this in mind.

Individual (one-to-one) Course

Designed and arranged on an individual basis to meet your needs, for as many hours as you want, in a given period of time.

Closed group (two-to-one tuition) Course

Designed for two people who want to share a language course with no one else.

Specific Group Course

10 hours per week. Grammar or Conversation.
Designed for those who want to study only 2 hours per day, focusing on the language analysis activities or the communicative tasks.

Standard Course

20 hours per week. Grammar or Conversation.
Designed for those who want a complete language experience, studying 4 hours per day, focusing on the language analysis activities and the communicative tasks.

Standard Plus Course

20 hours per week in a group class plus 5 hours per week one-to-one tuition. Grammar and Conversation.
Designed for those who, beyond the advantages of the Standard group course, want to have an extra individual hour (one-to-one) especially devoted to their needs.

Intensive Italian Language Course

30 hours per week. Grammar and Conversation.
Designed for those who want to have a more intensive group course to strengthen their abilities in a shorter time.