Anyone have experience with language schools in Italy?

[KitSileya]

I need to refresh my Italian, nearly 20 years after minoring in it at Uni, and since I am a teacher, with the corresponding summer break, I was thinking about doing a couple of weeks at a language school in Italy. I've been looking at la Scuola Leonardo da Vinci, either in Milano or Firenze, but I would be very interested to hear from any DUers that have experience with attending such a school.

Things I'd like input on:

- how were the classes?
- what accommodation did you have?
- advice on how to organize such a trip (stay after the school weeks to be a tourist?)
- practical hints



If this sinks, I'll cross-post to the Travel group, but I figured the Lounge on a Sunday would be the ideal place to post this initially.

[mnhtnbb]

1. Can't help you with schools in Italy

but I know a teacher who went to Lyon (France) to attend school for the summer two years ago to
improve his French--which he was teaching in high school in MO--and ended up meeting
the love of his life. He moved there last June, got married, and by the end of the summer
had TWO job offers to teach in International Schools in Lyon. He LOVES his job
and his life.

So, if you are thinking about going to Italy...be prepared for a life changing experience!

[KitSileya]

2. I do declare!

I'm not expecting to meet my soul mate or anything - I'll be happy with improved Italian languages skills

As I think about it, I am leaning more and more towards just ordering the tickets and signing up for the course and not sweat the other stuff. I am an adult, I have traveled before, and I should manage.

It would mean that I can't go to the US this summer, though, for the first time in 5 years. That'll be a huge loss, to be sure, but needs must and all that.

[mnhtnbb]

3. Choose the city that speaks to you the most. Myself, I'd go with Firenze just

because I found the people more friendly there than in Milano.

[GermanDem]

4. Definitely Firenze over Milan!

Make sure the school you choose has some kind of official accreditation. For example, if their classes count towards the foreign language requirement here at US colleges, it should be legit.

[KitSileya]

5. I was leaning towards Rome, which is also an option, myself...

But that may be the countless hours of The History of Rome podcast talking (it cannot be recommended too strongly!) I went there once before, in 1992, with my high school class. Other than that, Firenze is definitely above Milano on the list.

La Scuola Leonardo da Vinci is accredited to the University of Siena; however, since I technically am qualified to teach Italian already (albeit a qualification that is 15+ years old), that isn't my main aim. I need a refresher course, but I am a bit apprehensive traveling alone - I've done it to London, but I've been there many times before, so that's ok. As is going to the US every year, of course. But traveling to a place where I don't feel 100% sure about the language, and the geography? I'm being a wuss, I know, but the wussiness is based on life experiences, so...

[riderinthestorm]

6. Read the online reviews! You'll get a ton of insight from people who've been there

Usually tripadviser or just google the names of the schools along with reviews.

So jealous! Enjoy yourself!