Learning a second language can be hard, even if said second language is that of our ancestors: when it comes to speaking fluent and flawless Italian, we all would love to, but sometimes –often!– taking regular classes can be a tad boring and the results may end up being less than stellar. So why not learning Italian during a vacation in Italy? Being immersed in the culture can certainly help speeding up the process and language schools all over Italy offer an interesting variety of courses aimed at learning Italian in fun and unique ways: from seaside holidays to opera singing, from cooking to exploring.
If being only a few yards away from a beautiful beach and the blue waters of the Med doesn’t distract you too much, then Mediterranea-Sicilia is the school for you. Located in the quaint seaside town of Cefalù, Sicily, it offers a vast array of courses, from those geared towards beginners to those for students who already speak Italian and want to become more fluent. Love cooking? This school also organizes Sicilian cooking classes, hosted by a Sicilian home cook in her own home: throughout a week she will share her secrets so you can learn a few recipes as well as Italian grammar and vocabulary. Courses for children and study&work opportunities are also available. Discover the details and prices here: http://www.mediterranea-sicilia.com/it/
For the nomad-at-heart student, there is a school in the picturesque region of Umbria that brings together learning and traveling: at La Lingua La Vita in Todi you study in the morning and then, every afternoon, you explore the most beautiful cities and villages in the area –think Orvieto, Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia…– with a tour guide in Italian, so you can keep practicing while enjoying the views and panoramas. This eclectic school also offers courses for foreign opera singers to perfect their accent and diction, Culinary Italian classes for food lovers and even special courses for priests, nuns, seminarists and everyone who wants to further their religious linguistic abilities. For more detailed information visit: http://www.lalingualavita. com/
Sure, learning is important but some students may want to have some fun as well, especially while visiting the beautiful seaside town of Alghero, Sardinia. Pintadera school offers the AllegraMente weekly course, a vacationer’s delight that takes place in the late afternoon and early evening to let holiday makers have fun at their own pace during the day. AllegraMente offers unique insights into the Sardinian way of life and aims to make learning fun by taking the lesson outside the classroom and around the picturesque streets of Alghero. The school also offers courses for those who have very specific passions: learn art and drawing with Arte a Parte, taste wine with Cin Cin or sing your heat out with O’ Sole Mio. For details and prices visit: http://www.pintadera.info/
If you are looking for a city experience but would like to go somewhere other than Florence or Rome, L’Italiano Con Noi language school in Verona might be the right pick for you. This school offers different courses – regular and intensive – in the mornings, while the afternoon is all about having a great time and exploring the beautiful city of Romeo and Juliet. With Walk and Talk learning is paired with discovering the hidden gems around town, Let’s talk about wine introduces students to the wonderful vintages of the Veneto region, and Verona Local will make participants experience the town as locals do, away from the most touristy spots. Learn more here: http://www.litalianoconnoi.com/
Learning in small groups is the key ingredient at Cultura Italiana Arezzo, located in the very heart of Tuscany. With a maximum of 10 students per class, but often less, this school offers a solid language preparation along with the opportunity to travel to stunning destinations such as Siena and the Chianti region during the weekend. The school also gives great importance to the arts and, for those who enjoy them, offers special Italian courses that specialize in cooking, music, classical singing and drawing. Those traveling with children will appreciate the Family Programs, structured so that parents and children can attend the same courses and learn the language together. Find out more here: http://www.culturaitalianaarezzo.it/
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