LEVELS

The didactic contents, based on authentic use of the language, are chosen according to communicative objectives. The presentation of grammar always follows the learning itinerary.

Level  A1 "Breakthrough" 

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and every basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.    

 Level  A2   "Waystage "                                                                                                                                              Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

Level B1 - "Threshold"  

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure etc. Can deal with most situation likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reson and explanations for opinions and plans.

Level B2 - "Vantage" 

Can understand the main ideas of complex texts, on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Level C1 - "Effectiveness"

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibility and effectively for social academic and professional purposes: Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts an complex subject showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Level C 2 - " Mastery" 

Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read: Can Summarise information from different spoken or written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously and very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

TEACHING STAFF

The executive of the Linguistic Centre "Le Antiche Torri" has more than 20 years' experience in organizing Italian courses and cultural activities for foreigners, having done these activities of formation and teaching in other institutions. The teaching staff have a lot of experience in teaching Italian as a foreign language and have followed special training courses and seminars about the teaching of Italian as L2.

All didactic activities take place in Italian even for "beginners". In the language courses methodological innovations will be taken into account, integrating the various approaches according to the needs of the students. But a fully communicative approach will be adopted as well as the use of didactic material suitable for a gradual and progressive communication and learning.

You can always count on the Linguistic Centre executive and staff at any time and not only for learning problems: a Tutor and, if necessary, a cultural-linguistic Mediator, have the task of helping, any problem may arise during your stay.

ORGANIZATION

Registration Fee: € 50,00, valid for 12 months for all courses, includes:

The 3-4 week courses usually start every first Monday of the month; however you are advised to follow the dates indicated in the calendar.

For other dates or duration of courses, please contact the Linguistic Centre.

Timetable

Classes are from Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. with a 20 minutes break. At certain time of the year, lessons may be held in the afternoon.

Individual lessons

Individual lessons and small groups lessons, as an optional support to the study course, take place after the main course in the afternoon. Students from all courses can ask for extra tuition, provided by the Centre on payment, with due warning. An individual lesson is useful to work on a specific problem and help with spoken Italian, Italian for specific or vocational purposes and to improve reading and listening competence. Group lessons (3 to 4 students) permit a more rapid progress exchanging and comparing personal achievements.

Some cultural activities and guided visits take place in the afternoon from 4.30 p.m.; in the evening there are social activities which follow a detailed weekly calendar that will be given to each individual student.

The classes are formed according to homogeneous knowledge of the language on the basis of an entry test. The number of students per class goes from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 15.

The Enrolment or Registration fee, which lasts 12 months, necessary for attending each course, includes textbooks and any other supporting material used during the lessons.

Certificates

At the end of the course each student will receive an Attendance Certificate with information about profit, level and duration of the course itself.