There are few more beautiful cities anywhere in Europe in which to learn a new language than Venice in northern Italy. Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon, its maze of canals, picturesque piazzas and historic landmarks make for a stunning backdrop to your lessons.
Photo: Pedro Szekely via Flickr
Across Venice are a wide number of Italian language schools offering a variety of courses to suit every preference and need. We’ve done some research and picked out three of the best, based on a number of factors including range of courses available, prices and former student reviews.
Venice Italian School
www.veniceitalianschool.com
Based in in the quarter of San Polo in the heart of Venice, the Venice Italian School is housed within a renovated 15th century building and contains two classrooms and a private garden. Founded in 2009, the school specialises in teaching Italian to individuals, mini-groups and professionals. Classes are tailored to students’ abilities and are constantly adjusted based on feedback. Lessons take place from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1pm, and cover all levels from Beginners (A1) through to Advanced 2 (C2). The school use a combination of Communicative and Dogme approaches to language learning, with students encouraged to put into spoken practice the structures covered in class. Social activities, including meet-ups in local bars and cafes and visits to some of the hidden corners of Venice, are included in all course programmes. The school also provides assistance with finding students accommodation during their stay in the city.
Photo: Venice Italian School
Instituto Venezia – A Tandem School
www.istitutovenezia.com
Officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education, Istituto Venezia is part of the Tandem global network of language schools. The school offers a wide variety of courses at all levels throughout the year, including intensive and super intensive courses, low budget courses (4 weeks only), individual courses, weekend courses, company courses, and one-to-one Skype lessons too. There are also courses that combine language learning with cultural activities, including art courses and cooking courses. All lessons are held in Italian, with the teaching methodology based on a fully communicative approach that promotes and encourages students’ active participation. A variety of up-to-date authentic material is used in class, designed to introduce students to Italian culture and society. The school also puts on an array of cultural activities including orientation walks, boat excursions, bicycle trips, and visits to art galleries. Students can also make use of the school’s accommodation service which is set up to find you a room either in a traditional Palladian Cloister or in a homestay with a local family.
Photo: Tandem School
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
www.unive.it
Part of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, the School for International Education is open to everyone and offers Italian language courses from A1 (Beginners) up to C2 (Advanced) all year round. Summer intensive courses are held over the summer months and are open to anyone interested in studying Italian in a short period of time. Each module consists of 40 hours of teaching, held over two weeks, and are taught by qualified native language experts in classrooms with full multimedia access and made up of no more than 25 students. The school also organises a wide variety of activities which aim to give students the opportunity to experience Venice, to learn about its rich culture, past and present, and to get to know each other at the same time.
Photo: Ca’ Foscari University of Venice