Learn Italian & live in your private teacher's home around Bologna with Home Language International!
Home Language International (HLI) is a family-run business offering language courses in more than 20 languages in over 30 countries worldwide, including Italian lessons at an experienced private teacher's home in Italy. More than 5,000 students take advantage of our services every year. Ian Josephs, Danielle Josephs, their 5 adult children and an expert team of dedicated staff all put in very long hours for HLI.
You stay in an experienced teacher's family home, have one-to-one Italian lessons and then continue to use the language during the rest of your stay in Bologna. Because you are the only student, you are guaranteed individual attention. The lessons are completely designed for you, so the teacher will focus exactly on what you need. Mealtime conversation, television and social contacts are all in Italian.
All of our teachers in Italy have a university degree (or equivalent) and/or a recognised teaching certificate. All teachers have been visited by one of our local organisers. Their qualifications have been checked and their homes throughly inspected. During your stay in Bologna, a local organiser will monitor your progress and make sure your experience is both happy and successful.
Home Language International (HLI) is accredited by the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS), Association of Language Travel Organisations (ALTO), and UNOSEL.
Madrelingua offers standard Italian courses comprising 20 hours of lessons a week or more intensive 30 hours a week courses. For those who are working or studying in Bologna, we offer evening Italian courses. And for students who prefer to personalize their course or lesson content, there is the option to choose individual or semi-individual lessons. You can even study Italian online, wherever you are in the world, with our virtual classroom system.
Our experienced, professional language teachers and support staff will help you maximize the value of your language course: lessons are communicative and personalized to your needs and interests, a tutor and a social-program organizer are available after classes to help you with your studies and free-time activities, and most importantly, Italian is the "lingua franca" of the school, so you'll be putting your learning into practice each day!
ALCE is a medium-sized family-run school and officially recognized examination centre for CILS by University Of Siena, (Certificate of Italian as a foreing language), CELI (authorized by University of Perugia), CERT.IT (the University of Roma III, and Authorized Exam Preparation Center for DITALS (The Certificate for Teachers of Italian as a foreign language) that specialises in teaching the Italian language, providing overseas students with a comprehensive educational and cultural experience within a friendly and encouraging environment.
One thing has and never will change and that is our insistence on the same high standards and the same warm welcome we gave when we started. We work constantly to guarantee this and to maintain the quality on which our reputation is founded (maximum 8 students per class, personal attention, balanced international mix of nationalities).
We are, and will always be, a traditional institution where you will be treated as an individual, not as a number, and where teachers and staff respect your commitment to your education and take pride in your achievements.
Our Italian courses are designed for all foreigners wishing to approach our language and increase their knowledge of it for personal or professional reasons. The Italian Courses respect the methodology of ALCE which favors high quality and professional teaching in an informal environment. Teaching integrates the traditional methods for basic grammar and syntax, with innovative use of audio, video and authentic materials. But what really makes the difference is the teacher-student relationship. There is nothing that can influence teaching more positively.
All of our teachers tailor their teaching as far as possible to the needs of each and every student.
Located in the prestigious Santo Stefano district and less than 500metres from the historic centre it is serviced by some of the main us routes As a city, Bologna offers an exciting alternative destination for an authentic immersion in Italian language and culture. It is home to the oldest university in the western world and has been enthusiastically embracing foreign students for almost 1000 years. Whilst avoiding mass tourism and with an exciting cultural and social landscape, the city provides a great opportunity to meet Italians. Bologna is well connected by international and low-cost airports and additionally serves as the main rail junction in Italy. Whilst being a city of art in its own right it is conveniently situated near many other historical centres such as Florence, Venice, Milan, Verona, Mantua, Parma, Padua, Ravenna and Ferrara
A.L.C.E. is centred in a recently refurbished nice building with a total of 14classrooms (including 5 smaller studios (for individual classes), a wine tasting room, a professional Kitchen, a recording/dubbing studio, a library, with a maximum capacity of around 75 students. The media centre house a total of 10 personal computers, providing free high-speed internet connection in addition to the free wi-fi access available. There is a wide selection of resources including up to date books, CDs and multimedia material
Arca is located in the heart of the historic centre and is very close to the city's main attractions. The school's excellent location and experience make it an ideal place to study the Italian language and culture. Students can choose between weekly group courses for 20 hours per week, flexible individual courses and special courses. Arca is located in a historic building, with large, colourful classrooms with free Internet access. The school also offers two social and recreational activities per week to invite students to socialise, practise their Italian and visit points of interest in the city.
