Learn Italian while walking under Turin's Arkades

  Italy

• Torino: 
Torino (Turin)

Dates: all year round, every first monday of the month for absolute beginners, otherwise every monday

Description: L'Italiano Porticando proposes classes for those who want to learn Italian because they love Italy and its culture, for those who study Italian at university, for those who have moved to Italy and want to live in this country or want to study Italian for business purposes.

The school offers all year round Standard courses (5 to 8 people), Classes in small group (2 to 4 people), Individual classes and Combined Courses for all levels of proficiency. The Combined Courses are so called, because they are the combination of a standard course with individual classes, business Italian, history of art or architecture, with tango. From 2009 students who want to have their level of proficiency certified, can enroll for the CILS Exam (Certification of the University of Siena) preparation courses, which will be held during the month(s) before the exam's date.

Cultural and extra-curricular activities organised by the school (such as walks through the city, visits to museums, wine tasting and courses about the region's typical dishes) will help the student to deepen his comprehension and communication abilities. The cultural courses related to cuisine, history, arts, architecture, literature and traditions of Piedmont and Turin can be linked with the language course, making thus language learning even more interesting.

The school will also offer, as in the last years, one-week language holiday courses for groups. Furthermore L'Italiano Porticando will organise again one week Special topic Courses, which include extra-curricular activities depending on the season or on events in the region or in Turin.

Highlights: Turin is in a city well-known as an industrial centre, but little-known by tourists. Turin has, however, an incredible artistic and cultural legacy to offer to those who love Italy, its language and its culture.

The school is managed by its three founders who have joined their long experience and their abilities in teaching the Italian language, culture and history to foreigners in order to give life to a project which at that time was new in Piedmont: the possibility to experience the Italian language and culture in a destination which is not typical for foreigners as, for example, Rome, Florence, Siena or Venice.

* The school's team

The three founders are present and active in the school's life. They have structured their role within the school according to their competencies and experience. The school's teachers are selected with great care according to their education and their experience as teachers for Italian language and culture to foreigners. All teachers are native speakers, have a university degree, and are highly motivated and experienced in supporting foreign students in their first meeting with Italy and the Italian language and during the language learning process.

* The school's location

L'Italiano Porticando is located in a beautiful 18th century building in the Quadrilatero Romano, the historic city centre, in midst of Turin's pedestrian area. Next to the most important piazzas, near both train stations and only two minutes from Piazza Castello, the beating heart of Turin.

The classrooms are bright and inviting. Though they have all you need in a modern language school, they are not typical classrooms, as the school's management have created a comfortable and cosy atmosphere making you feel rather at home than at school.

Furthermore, the students have at their complete disposal books, newspapers and magazines, dictionaries, CDs and DVDs which they can borrow or use at school.

* The school's teaching method

The teaching method used by L'Italiano Porticando is the direct communicative teaching method. Italian is the only language spoken at school from the first day. Our teachers are experts in teaching Italian to foreigners and so there isn't a need for using other languages to bridge language gaps or to communicate with students. This is true for all levels, from beginners to advanced.

Teaching materials mainly developed by the school are chosen and created to stimulate free conversation and to simulate real communication situations. Class activities are designed to give the student all necessary tools to handle daily life situations and social interaction in Italy.

Though the communication ability is fundamental we aim first at the development of the student's communication ability and then at the elimination of mistakes the classes leave room also for grammar exercises and for exercises which will help the student to use and understand the written and spoken language. Many original texts of various kinds (articles, literature, advertisements etc.), songs, films, documentaries help the student to improve these abilities.

The classes are complemented by extra-curricular activities organized by the school in the afternoon, allowing students to put into practise what they have learnt during their morning lessons.

Cost in US$: depends on kind of course and length

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Italy Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of max. 8

Application Process Involves:

• Other

L'Italiano Porticando Srl's Mission Statement: L'Italiano Porticando was founded at the beginning of 2005 with the aim to be a cut above ordinary language schools in Turin and to provide a specialized centre and point of reference for those who want to study the Italian language and culture in Turin.

Year Founded: 2005