F.A.Q.

ALL ABOUT TUITION

When is the next starting date?

You may start your Italian language course every 4/3/2 weeks on Mondays, even if you are a beginner! Please consult our course starting dates.

What should I expect to do on the first day at school?

We will wait for you at 09:00 at the school office. All other students will take a written and oral placement test which enables us to determine the appropriate level.
What is a typical course schedule?

Intensive Italian Language Course
Group lessons: 09:00 – 10:30 conversation, 30 – minute break, 11:00 – 12:30 grammar – from Monday to Friday – and an additional extracurricular activities, 20 lessons per week.

Semi-Intensive Italian Language Course
Group lessons: 09:00 – 10:30 conversation, 30 – minute break, 11:00 – 12:30 grammar – from Monday to Thursday – and an additional extracurricular activities, 20 lessons per week.

Combined Italian Language Course
Group lessons: 09:00 – 10:30 conversation, 30 – minute break, 11:00 – 12:30 grammar – from Monday to Friday – individual lessons in the afternoon – and an additional extracurricular activities, 20 lessons per week.

The Yearly Italian Language Course
Group lessons: 09:00 – 10:30 conversation, 30 – minute break, 11:00 – 12:30 grammar – from Monday to Friday – and an additional extracurricular activities, 20 lessons per week.

For homework you should calculate about one additional hour per day.


Which books do you use in the lessons?

Our basic text and exercise books have been developed by our teachers. These books are used in conjunction with text *books (*not included) and authentic teaching materials such as newspaper and magazine articles, audio and audio-visual materials, and activities inside the classroom.


Is the teaching material included in the course price?

All supplies are provided by the school, but you are expected to have (*buy) your own text *books and *dictionary.


Which teaching method do you use?

ISTITUTO EUROPEO’s teaching method, based on the most innovative concepts about learning, gives students the opportunity to live the language on all levels and learn it’s spoken and written usage. Attention is placed both on the correct use of grammar and syntax and on the everyday language. For this reason the wide array of teaching material and audio-visual aids available to the students are constantly updated.


What are your teachers’ qualifications?

The teachers are all highly qualified professionals, with teaching degrees, who have specialised in teaching Italian to foreigners.


Which course certificates do students receive?

ISTITUTO EUROPEO certificates:

. At the end of each course, students who have passed a test receive the certificate of attendance indicating the level of proficiency attained.

. At the end of each course, students who have attended regularly receive the certificate of attendance.

. At the end of the 6th level, students who have passed a test receive the “Diploma di Conoscenza della Lingua Italiana”.


What is the average age of students attending the school? I’m interested in attending a course for older students aged 30 and above. Do you have suitable courses for this age group?

62% of our students are aged between 17 and 40 seeking to improve their Italian language skills and awareness of the Italian culture.

65% of our students are already working; about ten percent are business managers and executives of different nationalities.

20% of our students are singers and musicians

25% of our students works in the world of art and show

5% are retired and wish to improve their Italian in order to familiarise themselves with the Italian culture.

Usually all our students feel comfortable in our classes and enjoy meeting people from all over the world.


After twelve weeks, how much Italian will I be able to speak, assuming I am a complete beginner upon arrival, I work very hard and I am good at languages?

ISTITUTO EUROPEO offers 8 different course levels from beginner to advanced. Each course level usually consists of 20 lessons/week over a period of 4 weeks. It is possible to complete Beginner, Basic and Intermediate levels in 12 weeks.

At the end of the Intermediate level you possess considerable knowledge of Italian. Your feeling for the language is confident and your range of expression is more differentiated. You will have knowledge of the basic grammatical structure of Italian language.

ALL ABOUT CULTURAL AND LEISURE PROGRAMS

Florence and the surroundings offer a unlimited variety of leisure. We organise on a regular basis:

. parties, lunches and dinners, which enable teachers and students to get to know each other better

. walks and guided visits in Art History

. film evenings at school

. evenings at the opera

. musical encounters

. conferences about art, literature, music and politics

. whole day and half-day excursions

. visits to Tuscan farms and estates

. visits to wine cellars

Every month at school we inform the students about cultural activities in Florence. In this way participants will always be well informed concerning exhibitions, concerts, films and other events. Every day students are informed about the activities of the school. For the weekends we organise trips and outings with the of Art History teacher. Each month the school organises a concert at the end of the course for the student singers, musicians and actors.

Can you give me an example of a monthly activity calendar in Florence?

. Day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano or Pisa and Lucca etc.; every 4 weeks, normally the first two Sundays after a month course begins (at cost price).

. Half-day excursion to the vineyards of the “Chianti” area, visit to a winery incl. “merenda” (typical Tuscan afternoon snack); every 4 weeks, normally the third week after a month course begins (at cost price).

. Dinners with the school in a typical Florentine trattoria: students and teachers have a good chance to get to know each other; Friday (at cost price).

. Guided museum and Church visits (at cost price).

. Guided Art History tours in Florence (at cost price).

. Free cinema italiano.

. Italian music: an afternoon is spent listening and understanding Italian songs.

. Free concert evenings at school.

. Conferences about art.

. Conferences about literature.

. Conferences about Opera.

. Conferences about politics.

. Evenings at the Opera: (with a special price).

ALL ABOUT ARRIVAL, TRANSFER & HOUSING (A – Z)


Accommodation in a private apartment

For those who desire complete independence or those who want to come to Florence with family or friends.


Accommodation in a shared apartment

You share a flat either with other students from our school, with other Italian students or with the owner.

Kitchen and bathroom are of common use.

The apartments are furnished and the kitchens are supplied with all essential kitchen utilities.

You can prepare your meals separately or together with your fellow students.

Electricity, gas, water, local costs and taxes are not included in the price.

The apartments are cleaned before your arrival. During your stay, you are responsible for the cleaning of your room and of the rooms used in common.

Normally there is no telephone in the apartment.

You should bring some food if you arrive on Sunday, as food stores are closed on Sundays.

Italy uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Plugs may be different from those in your home country and it’s possible that you will need an adapter.


Accommodation in host-family

The word ‘family’ should not be taken too literally, because your family could also be a single parent or a childless couple who take in students because they enjoy the company.

Arrangements can be made between you and the landlord about the use of the washing-machine and ironing board.

Your host family will offer you breakfast or breakfast and dinner according to your choice. Therefore the use of the kitchen on your own is not scheduled.


Accommodation in a Hotel

We work with Hotels situated close to the school. Prices are available on request and according to the categories of hotels and the season. Please make Hotel reservation well in advance.


Availability

Housing reservations run from 1 day before the beginning of the course until 1 day after the end of the course.


Arrival date and time

Please get in touch with the family or the apartment owner at least one week before arrival and inform him/her of the exact time you will be arriving.


Bed-linen / towels

Bed-linen are provided and changed every 2 weeks but you need to bring your own towels.


Laundry

Normally, there is no washing-machine in the apartments. You may use the many self-service laundromats.


Location

Our accommodations are located in the city centre. You can easily reach the school by foot or by public transport. The apartments/home stays are located (on an average) 10-30 min. walking distance from the school.


Meals

If you book host family accommodation you can choose breakfast or half board (breakfast and dinner). You will have your meals with the family. Italian eating habits can be rather different from your own. Breakfast usually consists of coffee or tea and bread, butter, marmalade. Dinner is a complete meal served normally at around 8:00 pm.


Payment of accommodation

Istituto Europeo only makes the reservations for accommodation. You will pay the landlord/landlady, the apartment owner or the hotel receptionist for the accommodation on the first day of your stay.


Rooming with another student

We recommend a ‘place in a double room’ only for young people. According to our experience, mature people do not feel at ease in a double with very young people who have different habits and attitudes.


Transfer

At arrival, we recommend that you take a taxi to your accommodation. Taxis are:

1) easy to find at the TAXI stations, which are in front of the train station and the airport

2) the best way to bring your luggage

ISTITUTO EUROPEO also offers a transfer service from the airport in Florence. >>> TRANSFER COSTS <<

ALL ABOUT….USEFUL INFORMATION (A – Z)


Check list:

– Valid passport or identity card

– Tickets and reservations

– Insurance documents

– Money, traveller’s cheques and credit cards

– Personal medicine or medical prescriptions

– E111 form (for citizens from EU countries)

– Italian address given to parents etc.

– School informed about arrival time

– Transfer booked (if requested)


Climate

Summer in Italy, from the Alps to Sicily, is quite warm. Winter in Northern and Central Italy can be quite cool; in the south, however, is relatively mild. The best weather in the cities is in spring and autumn.

Average summer temperatures range from 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F), the average winter temperature is around 4°C to 16°C (39°F to 61°F).


Credit Cards / Euro-Cheques / Traveller’s Cheques

Euro-Cheques, Traveller’s Cheques and Credit Cards are accepted almost everywhere. You can receive money at Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), if you have an ATM card linked to an international network (Eurocard, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro). Mastercard and Visa (with PIN number) may be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. In Europe, ATM’s do not often accept PIN’s with more than 4 digits. Cash from ATM’s only in Euro / daily amount is limited.


Credits for American Universities

We can send transcripts to American Universities, where our courses are accepted as valid language, art and music credits.


Electricity

Italy uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Additionally, wall sockets and plugs may be different from those in your home country. Get information about the possible need for an adapter before your departure.


Exchanging money

When exchanging large amounts of money it is usually better to do it in Italy. You should also bring cash for the first few days.

For a long stay, it may be useful to open a bank account. Our staff will assist you to open a bank account in Florence after your arrival.


Fax

Faxes can be sent from the post office, from many stationary shops (cartoleria), from Internet-points and from copy centres.


Internet access and sending & receiving e-mails

ISTITUTO EUROPEO has a free Internet point for its students. So as not to create long waiting lines, students can sign up for computer time. There are also several Internet points around Florence, with special prices for students.


Scholarships

ISTITUTO EUROPEO awards, more than 100 Italian Cultural Institutes, school or Universities, Consulates or Embassies, scholarships for a 100 percent reduction and scholarships for 50 percent reduction in the cost of a 4L course (4 weeks/80 lessons), not including accommodation. If you wish to apply for one of our scholarships, you are requested to contact the Italian Cultural Institute, your University, your school, the Italian Consulate or Embassy in your home country, enclosing a reference from your Italian teacher, and stating the precise name and address of your school/university, and of the teacher concerned.


Insurance

Residents of the EU countries should obtain an E111 form from their local National Health Service in order to be eligible for free medical care in Italy. Students from other countries are advised to obtain private health insurance and to contact the Italian embassy in their country.

Theft coverage: is often included in personal insurance; if not, we recommend that you purchase coverage for your stay in Italy.


Euro (€)

The Italian currency is the “Euro” (plural: Euro, abbreviated: EUR, symbol: €). Euro is the official currency for Italy and the other European countries.


Health, Medical Doctors and Pharmacies

The first-aid service in the Emergency Room of the hospital is free for anyone who is in need.

ISTITUTO EUROPEO can provide a doctor whenever you are in need of a consultation or medical care.

In every city you will find 24-hour pharmacies. Don’t forget to bring, if necessary, your own medical prescriptions.


National Holidays

Our school is closed on national, religious and local public holidays. Lessons are not refunded.


Pocket money

This is not the same for every person but € 75 per week, in addition to the costs for food and accommodation, should be enough.

Telephone

International telephone calls can be made from all public telephones. To call the US, you must dial 001 + area code + number.
The country code for Italy is “39“, to call Italy from the US you must dial 011+39+number.
You can rent a cellular phone for the period in which you will be staying in Florence.


Travelling by train

There are several night-and-day Eurocity-connections with Italy. Young people under 26 years may receive special discounts. Reservations for a sleeping car or couchettes should be made as early as possible.


Travelling by car

In the old city centres using and parking a car is normally not allowed. In all other districts parking is free of charge except for specially marked short/long term parking zones.


Travelling by air

Our school can be easily reached from the airport of Florence.

Visa

Citizens from the European Union can enter Italy with an Identification card or Passport. Citizens from other countries should check with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their country for the appropriate visa.

If you need a visa to extend your stay for more than 90 days you should apply for a ‘Type D’ (student) visa. ISTITUTO EUROPEO will provide you, after enrolment and payment of the account, with a certificate of enrolment for your visa application.


World time zones

Italy uses Central-European-Time (CET), i.e.: Rome = 0 / New York = -6 / Tokyo = +8.

During the summer months (mid March to mid October) the clocks are turned ahead one hour to Central-European-Summer-Time (CEST = CET + 1h), i.e.: Rome = 0 / New York = -5 / Tokyo = +7.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for please feel free to enquire by phone, fax or e-mail:
Phone +390552381071
Fax +39055289145
e-mail: info@istitutoeuropeo.it