| ALL ABOUT TUITION
WHEN IS THE NEXT STARTING DATE?
You may start your Italian language course every first or second week
of the month,
on Mondays, even if you are a complete 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 8.30 am in the main reception area of the school.
All students will take a written and oral placement test which enables
us to find the appropriate level.
WHICH IS A TYPICAL COURSE SCHEDULE?
STANDARD ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSE:
09:00 - 11:00 , 20-minute break, 11:20 - 13:00
For homework and exercises
you should account for one additional hour per day.
WHICH BOOKS DO YOU USE IN THE LESSONS?
These books (text & exercises)
are used in conjunction with authentic teaching materials such as newspaper
and magazine articles, audiovisual
materials, and activities inside the classroom.
“LINEA DIRETTA vol. 1-2” ediz. Guerra Perugia
“RETE vol. 1-2-3” ediz. Guerra Perugia
"Espresso vol. 1-2-3"ALMA Edizioni Firenze
IS THE TEACHING MATERIAL INCLUDED IN THE COURSE PRICE?
No.
You can buy or rent the books. If you choose to buy them you pay 27
Euros. If you rent them
you pay a deposit of 28 Euros, but at the
end of the month - when you return the books undamaged and not written
on – we will repay 20 Euros back to you.
WHICH TEACHING METHOD DO YOU USE?
Scuola Dante Alighieri teaches according to the Direct Method: from
the first day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken. Speaking
is the most important part of our tuition. Continually promoting
the use of verbal communication permits you to learn Italian 'naturally',
to unite theory and practice with no great problems and to increase
your knowledge quickly and with confidence.
You are encouraged to practice your spoken Italian in real-life situations,
with your teacher, and with other participants, in pairs and groups.
In advanced courses written language will also be promoted.
WHAT
ARE YOUR TEACHERS’ QUALIFICATIONS?
All our teachers are highly qualified. Most of them have studied Italian
language and literature at Perugia University.
All our teachers have been specially trained in teaching Italian to
foreigners (at the University for Foreigners, Perugia and in the University
for Foreigners, Siena).
WHICH COURSE CERTIFICATES DO STUDENTS RECEIVE?
SCUOLA DANTE ALIGHIERI CERTIFICATES:
At the end of each course, students with regular attendance receive
the certificate of attendance indicating the level of proficiency attained.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE AGE OF STUDENTS ATTENDING THE SCHOOL?
60% of our students are aged between 17 and 30 seeking to improve their
Italian language skills and awareness of Italian culture.
30% of our students are already working; about ten percent are business
managers and executives of different nationalities. 10% are retired
and wish to improve their Italian and familiarize themselves with Italian
culture.
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?
Scuola Dante Alighieri offers 6 different course levels from beginner
to advanced. Each course level usually consists of 20 lessons per week,
over a period of 4 weeks.
If you are good at languages and you work hard, it is possible to complete
the Beginner, Basic and Intermediate levels in 12 weeks.
By the end of the Intermediate level we confidently expect you to have
developed a considerable knowledge of Italian. Your confidence and
feeling for the language should have grown and your range of expressions
developed greatly and become more varied.
ALL ABOUT CULTURAL AND LEISURE PROGRAMS
The town and its surroundings offer a variety of leisure activities,
which our students can undertake by themselves.We also organise leisure
activities on a regular basis:
• Informal
dinners, which enable teachers and students to get to know each
other better;
• Guided visits in the History of Art;
• Film evenings at the school;
• Day and half-day excursions (Roma or Venice, Firenze or Siena, Assisi,
Perugia, Gubbio and town of Marche Region)
• Visits to wine cellars.
Every month our school shows its own calendar of cultural activities.
In this way participants will always be well informed concerning
exhibitions, concerts, films and other events. For the weekends we happily
advise students on individual trips. All students receive a written
guide
indicating rail connections, car rental and taxi information, etc.
ALL
ABOUT ARRIVAL,TRANSFER & HOUSING (A - Z)
ACCOMMODATION IN HOST-FAMILY:
In selecting host families, we do not look for luxury and comfort in
the material sense but for Italian families who appreciate receiving
foreign students. Additionally, the word ‘family’ should
not be taken too literally, as a family can be ‘traditional’,
with children, a single parent or a childless couple who take in
students because they enjoy the company.
The use of the washing-machine is not included, but arrangements can
be made between the landlord, the school and the student.
ACCOMMODATION IN A SHARED APARTMENT:
The apartments are in the same building as the school, so the students
can reach the classrooms and the school hall immediately.
In this situation you share a flat with other students from our school.
Kitchen and bathroom are of communal use for you and your flatmates.
Each apartment (for max 4-5 people) has private entrance, two/three
bedrooms, balcony, equipped kitchen, bathroom, TV and telephone. Washing
machines are also available for the students’ use.
The apartments are furnished and the kitchens are supplied with all
essential kitchen utilities (cutlery, plates, pans etc.).
You can prepare your meals separately or together with your flatmates
and fellow students. (the supermarket is just 50m. away).
Electricity, gas water, local costs and taxes are included in the
price. During the winter 60% of the heating expenses will be paid separately
by the students.
The apartments are cleaned before your arrival. During the stay, you
and your flatmates are responsible for the cleaning of your room and
of the rooms used communally (kitchen and bathroom). Bed-linens are
provided by the Residence (every change costs 3 Euros), but you will
need to bring your own towels.
Please
note, that we request a deposit of 148 Euros for shared apartment accommodation.
This deposit must be paid in advance (see application
form).
There is a direct telephone line in and out of the apartment. Food
stores are closed on Sundays.
Italy
uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Plugs may differ from those in your home
country and it’s
possible that you might therefore need an adaptor.
ACCOMMODATION RESERVATIONS:
To make reservations for accommodation, we need your Application form
and deposit (148 euro).
Together with the confirmation of the school we will inform you about
the exact fee of the selected accommodation. Please pay the total within
the first three days upon arrival in Italy. By paying the deposit you
accept the accommodation arranged.
ACCOMMODATION IN A PRIVATE APARTMENT:
Private apartments (i.e. independent flats) are more comfortable than
shared apartments and therefore more expensive. They are available
for one or more persons.
Prices are available on request. Please note that the private apartments
must be reserved well in advance and the prices may vary depending
on the number of persons. We need your deposit to make reservations.
ACCOMMODATION IN A HOTEL:
There is a hotel in town, Hotel Bellavista (basic offer of bed & breakfast,
rooms with shower). Prices are available on request and according to
the season. Scuola Dante Alighieri only makes the reservation for you.
Payment itself has to be made directly to the hotel receptionist, but
we do need your credit card number to make a reservation. Please make
such a hotel reservation well in advance.
AVAILABILITY:
Accommodation reservations run from the Sunday evening before the beginning
of the course to the Saturday morning (10:00 am) at the end of the
course. If you need to arrive a day earlier or to stay a day longer,
please contact the school for help with extra accommodation arrangements.
Different arrival or departure dates must be confirmed in writing. ARRIVAL DATE AND TIME:
We need to be informed at least 7 days in advance of your arrival day
and time.
Tel. + 39 0737 642611. Mobile Phone: +39 347 7291608
BED-LINEN / TOWELS:
Bed-linen is provided and can be changed for a fee (3 Euros). However,
you do need to bring your own towels.
CAR PARKING:
There is a parking area in front of the Residence.
LAUNDRY:
Shared apartments: There is no washing-machine in the apartment itself,
but you may use the washing machine of the Residence for a small
fee (3 Euro for 5kg ).
LOCATION:
Our accommodation is located in the same complex as the school.
Camerino is a small quiet town where you can walk safely day
or night, so students can take advantage of the school’s proximity
to go for walks, or have a drink and make new friends at the town’s
bars and pubs.
Close to the school are facilities for football, tennis, basketball,
volleyball and bocce.
MEALS:
Students can cook in their own apartments, the supermarket is only
50 metres from the school.
The school also houses a Pizzeria-Restaurant with special discount
rates for students.
You can prepare your meals separately or together with your flatmates
and fellow students. (the supermarket is just 50m. away). You can find
bars and restaurants in town where you can eat a fast snack.
PAYMENT OF ACCOMMODATION:
Scuola Dante Alighieri makes the reservations for accommodation. We
need your deposit as a form of guarantee (148 Euro). Payment for the
accommodation has to be made within the first three days upon arrival
in Italy.
ROOMING WITH OTHER STUDENTS:
We really only recommend booking a place in a double room for younger
people. According to our experience mature people normally do not
feel at ease in a double room as they may have to share it with very
young people who have different habits and attitudes. TRANSFER:
At arrival, we offer a transfer service from the international airport
of Ancona www.ancona-airport.it (free
on arrival, but not on departure) and from the train-station of Camerino
(arrival and departure) www.trenitalia.it
TAXIS:
Taxis are easily found at the TAXI-ranks, which are always in front
of the train station and the airport;
ALL ABOUT ... USEFUL
INFORMATION (A - Z)
YOUR
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 time of arrival (tel +39 0737 642611 or +39 347 7291608);
• Transfer requested from school.
CLIMATE:
Although from the Alps to Sicily the summer in Italy is quite warm,
the winter in Northern and Central Italy can be cool; 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 / TRAVELLER’S
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 (Bancomat, Postomat,
EC, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro etc.). Mastercard and Visa (with PIN number)
may be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. Cash from ATM’s
only in Euro. You should not forget that the daily amount is limited.
CREDITS FOR AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES:
We can send transcripts to American Universities, where our courses
are usually accepted as valid language credits. Please ask us for
more information.
ELECTRICITY:
Italy uses a 220 Volts/AC system.Additionally, wall sockets and plugs
may differ from those in your home country. Be sure to get information
about the possible need for an adaptor before your departure.
EXCHANGING MONEY:
When exchanging large amounts of money it is usually better to do it
in Italy. However, you should also bring cash for the first few days
(for the taxi, for purchasing small things, etc.). Avoid changing
money in exchange-bureaus because of high commission rates; the best
exchange rates are at the bank. For a stay of more than 3 months,
it may even be useful to open a bank account.
FAX:
Faxes can be sent from the post office, from a lot of stationer’s
shops (cartoleria) and from copy shops. At our school you can receive
faxes free of charge and send them for a small a fee.
INSURANCE:
Our students are insured (for accidents) on their way to and accommodation
and school, during classes and during organized spare time activities.
Participants are not insured for time outside school and accommodation
(spending their free time somewhere).
They are not insured against illness, accident, theft or loss of personal
possessions, either by the schools or by those offering the accommodation.
We therefore recommend taking out a personal insurance policy.
During your stay in Italy, you must be personally insured against
illness and accidents. Citizens from European Union countries are entitled
to free medical care in Italy if they hold an E111 form which can be
obtained from their local health authority in their home country before
departing for Italy.
Students from non-EU countries must enquire with the authorities in
their countries to know if they are insured during a stay abroad; if
they are not covered, they should arrange health insurance to cover
their stay in Italy.
Moreover, participants are advised to insure against loss of fees
due to non-arrival, absence or unexpected termination of their course.
Contact your travel agent for further details or contact our school.
INTERNET
ACCESS AND SENDING & RECEIVING
EMAILS:
The email addresses of our school cannot be used to receive private
messages.
In the schools there are five computers with which to use the Internet
(3 euros per hour).
You can also use your own laptop in the school which connects you automatically
with the ADSL fast internet-line (15 euros per month).
ITALIAN CURRENCY / EURO - EUROPEAN UNION CURRENCY:
The basic unit of Italian currency is the Euro .When exchanging large
amounts of money it is usually
better to wait until you arrive in Italy. However, you should also
bring cash for the first few. Avoid changing your money in exchange
bureaus because the commission rates can be high; the best exchange
rates are at the bank.
HEALTH, MEDICAL DOCTORS AND PHARMACIES:
Only the first-aid service in the Emergency Room of the hospital is
free for anyone who is in need.
You should not forget to bring, if necessary, your own medical prescriptions.
During your stay in Italy, you must be personally insured against illness
and accidents. Citizens from European Union countries are entitled
to free medical care in Italy if they hold an E111 form which can be
obtained from their local health authority in their home country before
departing for Italy.
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS:
Our schools are closed on the following national and local public holidays:
Easter Monday, April 25th (National Holiday), May 1st (Labour Day),
June 2nd (Republic Day), August 15th (Assumption Day, called “Ferragosto”),
November 1st (All Saints)
These lessons are not held, not made up and not refunded.
POCKET MONEY:
This is not the same for every person but we think that 40s Euro per
week, in addition to the costs for food, should be enough.
TELEPHONE:
International telephone calls can be made from all public telephones
(in telephone offices, bars, etc.).
The school has a public telephone. In each apartment there is a direct
telephone.
The country code for Italy is +39.
TRAVELING BY TRAIN:
There are several night- and Eurocity-day-connections with Italy. Reservations
for sleeping car or couchettes should be made as early as possible.
www.trenitalia.it
There is a train station in Camerino. It is 5 minutes away from
the school. It takes about 3 hours to get to Rome (with just 1 change).
TRAVELING BY CAR:
Our course location is also easily accessible from the national motorways.
Free parking is available in front of the school (and in front of the
apartments that are in the same building as the school). TRAVELING BY AIR:
Our school can be reached from the international airport in Ancona,
Falconara (70 km away, or 50min by car from Camerino) (www.ancona-airport.com).
VISA:
Citizens from the European Union do not need a visa and can enter Italy
with an Identification card or Passport. Citizens from other countries
should check with the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate.
If
you need a visa to extend your stay for more than 90 days you should
apply for a ‘Type D’(student)
visa. Scuola Dante Alighieri will provide you, after enrolment and
payment of the deposit, with
a certificate of enrolment for your visa application.
WORLD TIME ZONES:
Italy uses Middle-European-Time (MET):
•
Rome: ±0;
• London: - 1;
• New York: - 6;
• Los Angeles: - 9;
• Tokyo: +8.
From the end of March to the end of October the clocks in Italy
are turned forwards one hour. NOTE:
If you didn't find what you were looking for, please feel free to
enquire by phone, fax or email
|
