School
                        founded: 1998 
                        Founded and directed by: Dr.
                          Claudio Serafini  
                        Our courses in Italian language and culture 
                        
                          
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                              Our courses in Italian language and culture take place in the light and airy rooms of a small manor house on an Etruscan settlement, located close to a 14 th century Benedictine monastery.  
                              At
                                our school you will receive individual attention:
                                courses are tailored to your personal wishes
                                  and language proficiency. 
                                This
                                  means that we work exclusively through private tuition or
                                  in small groups , giving you the
                                  satisfaction of learning Italian in an effective
                                    and focused way  while experiencing a
                                  sense of harmony  with the natural
                                  surroundings. 
                              foto: Dr. Claudio Serafini  
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                            Rooms 
                              Our school is in southern
                                Tuscany, in the picturesque Orcia
                                  Valley in the province of Siena.
                                The roomy premises of a former estate renovated in
                                2003 reflect the motion of the gently rolling countryside
                                and transform the light  and mood  of
                                the surrounding landscape into inner contentment and focus ,
                                with glass panels and high windows that
                                also afford beautiful and peaceful views.  
                                Our school
                                is thus also a place to relax  and reflect ,
                                where you can contemplate and enjoy the unique landscape
                                of this corner of Tuscany.  
                              Another emblem of the place is the ancient oak tree growing in front of the school building, a symbol of freedom and strength.  
                              And the surrounding hilltop villages (Castelmuzio, Petroio, Lucignano d'Asso) are an invitation to unwind and get to know the local people.  | 
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                        Courses 
                        We
                          work exclusively through private
                            tuition or
                          in small groups, (Class size: 5
                          max.) giving you the satisfaction of learning Italian.  
                        
                          
                            Depending
                              on your personal and professional interests, your particular
                              knowledge of foreign languages and learning style,
                              we offer:  
                              Beginners,
                                advanced and “professional” level language courses  
                              Focus
                                on:  
                              
                                - speaking 
 
                                - grammar 
 
                                - pronunciation
 
                                - written
                                  expression
 
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                        Special thematic courses:  
                        
                          - Art, history, religion, philosophy, literature 
                          
 - Local cuisine and products (wine, olive oil, Pecorino cheese) in collaboration with nearby farms 
 
                         
                        Workshops on one of the nearby farms  
                        The program of each course ranges from the 1st level (for beginners) to the 5th level. 
                         
                          
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                            Courses Vivace, Allegro, Andante  
                              2,3,4 hours a day, from 9.00am o'clock, are advisable above all for those who wish to have free time for other activities.  
                               
                              Course "Presto "  
                              6 hours a day, from 9am to 12.20 o'clock and from 2pm to 3.40pm. Offers concentrated study in the morning and exercises of practical use of the language during the afternoon hours.  
                               
                              Course "Presto" including lunch with the teacher  
                                6 hours a day, from 9am to 2pm. This formula insures the lesson's continuity and the participation of the student in realistic situations .  
                                   
                                  Course "Prestissimo"  
                                    8 hours a day, from 9am to 1.10 o'clock and from 2pm to 4.30pm. Offers a longer, more concentrated contact with the language. Two instructors teach this course.  
                               
                              Course  "Prestissimo" including lunch  
                                8 hours a day, from 9am to 3.40pm including lunch with the teacher. The lessons continue without interruption with two different teachers .  This formula insures the lesson's continuity and the participation of the student in realistic situations.  
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                        Overview of courses: 
                        The prices include:  
                          use of textbooks, video tapes; certificates and diplomas; school tax; examination fee.  
                          10% discount  for each extra week.  
                        
                          
                             "Assolo" (private tuition)  
                            The one-to-one courses may start and finish on any days requested.              
                            
                          
                            
                              
                                "Assolo" 
                                  (private tuition) 
                                 | 
                                Hours per week 
                                 | 
                                Price per week | 
                               
                              
                                Prestissimo (including lunch)   | 
                                40   | 
                                € 1450   | 
                               
                              
                                Prestissimo   | 
                                40   | 
                                € 1300   | 
                               
                              
                                Presto  (including lunch)  | 
                                30   | 
                                € 1350   | 
                               
                              
                                Presto   | 
                                30   | 
                                € 1.000   | 
                               
                              
                                Vivace   | 
                                20   | 
                                € 750   | 
                               
                              
                                Allegro   | 
                                15   | 
                                € 650   | 
                               
                              
                                Andante   | 
                                10   | 
                                € 500   | 
                               
                             
                            “Duetto” For 2 participants in the same course  
                              The "Duetto" courses may start and finish on any days requested.   
                            
                              
                                "Duetto" 
                                  (for two partecipants) 
                                 | 
                                Hours per week 
                                 | 
                                Price per week | 
                               
                              
                                Prestissimo   | 
                                40   | 
                                € 1200   | 
                               
                              
                                Presto   | 
                                30   | 
                                € 1100   | 
                               
                              
                                Vivace   | 
                                20   | 
                                € 840   | 
                               
                              
                                Allegro   | 
                                15   | 
                                € 720   | 
                               
                              
                                Andante   | 
                                10   | 
                                € 600   | 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                        
                          We design special course modules  for
                            large groups (e.g. school/university classes, other course
                            groups).  
                         
                          
                        Lessons 
                         Class size: 5 max 
                        
                          
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                            Teachers:  Graduates
                              with experience in teaching Italian to foreigners  
                              Courses
                                offered:  Year-round, Mondays
                                to Fridays (no lessons on bank holidays)  
                              If
                                required at weekends and on holidays (15% supplement)  
                              Lessons last:  50 minutes  
                              Class size:  5 max.  
                              Course fees include:  Individual course
                                material, placement test on request, course certificate
                                (the course books may be borrowed or purchased)  
                              Preparatory
                                courses for the CILS Diploma (Università per
                                Stranieri, Siena) and PLIDA (Società Dante Alighieri). 
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                        Our visitors from all over the world:  
                        
                          
                            - Single people seeking immersion in Italian language and
                              culture in a peaceful rural environment 
 
                            - Couples wishing to learn Italian together through private
                              lessons 
 
                            - Groups following school, university, painting or pottery
                              classes who are staying in the monastery of Sant'Anna and
                              wish to supplement their activities with an introductory
                              course in Italian or prepare for study at an Italian university
                              (e.g. the Modern Art Institute in San Francisco, University
                              of Washington, Munich/Salzburg Summer Academy).
 
                           
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