2. Holiday, Study, or Both?
Once you have decided to go to Italy to study I think the first step you should take is to decide on what exactly you want. Do you want to have a holiday with a little studying? Do you want to study for 99.9999% of the time? Or do you want something that falls between these two extremes? If you are clear in your mind as to what you want you will be in a better position to select the right course and type of institution.
Most students, especially those who might be visiting Italy for the first time want to experience more than just the classroom. Most would like to absorb the “culture” – taste the food of the region [and the wine!], and get to know the city and the neighbouring towns. I also think most people would like a facilitator or guide to explain the features, history, and gossip. The amount of free time available for play will depend first on whether you choose an intensive or a standard course, and secondly, on the attitude of the institution you choose. Most commercial institutions also offer one-to-one classes, and so you can choose to take a basic course, one-to-one, a combination of the two, an intensive course, or some combination that you want and for which you are willing to pay.
Standard courses are divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, but as most institutions will test you when you arrive, your entry level will be decided for you. However, if you find your level too easy, you should speak up. Don’t assume that the institution knows what’s best for you. To judge from my experience, neither institution I attended did a very good job in placing me, especially the University of Perugia, but more on that later.
I do believe that even if you take an intensive course, the ability to combine study and play depends less on the course and more on the type of institution that you attend. In this respect, there are two types of Italian institutions that teach the language, namely what I call the commercial school and one of the two universities that teach the Italian language and culture to foreigners. I hope to discuss the pros and cons of each type of institution based on my experience.
Most students, especially those who might be visiting Italy for the first time want to experience more than just the classroom. Most would like to absorb the “culture” – taste the food of the region [and the wine!], and get to know the city and the neighbouring towns. I also think most people would like a facilitator or guide to explain the features, history, and gossip. The amount of free time available for play will depend first on whether you choose an intensive or a standard course, and secondly, on the attitude of the institution you choose. Most commercial institutions also offer one-to-one classes, and so you can choose to take a basic course, one-to-one, a combination of the two, an intensive course, or some combination that you want and for which you are willing to pay.
Standard courses are divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, but as most institutions will test you when you arrive, your entry level will be decided for you. However, if you find your level too easy, you should speak up. Don’t assume that the institution knows what’s best for you. To judge from my experience, neither institution I attended did a very good job in placing me, especially the University of Perugia, but more on that later.
I do believe that even if you take an intensive course, the ability to combine study and play depends less on the course and more on the type of institution that you attend. In this respect, there are two types of Italian institutions that teach the language, namely what I call the commercial school and one of the two universities that teach the Italian language and culture to foreigners. I hope to discuss the pros and cons of each type of institution based on my experience.
posted by Toby1939 at 11:01 AM
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