TEACHING METHOD

Our Teaching method takes full account of modern didactics and is oriented towards the "Foreign Language Concept of the Council of Europe" and the "Guidelines of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL)".

The Leonardo da Vinci schools teach according to the Comunicative Approach: from the first day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken.

We emphasize the spoken language and live language. Continually stressing the use of verbal communication permits you to learn Italian "naturally", to unite theory and practice easily and to increase your knowledge quickly and with confidence. The structure of the language and its practical application is very important. Advanced courses also practice the written language.

Our teaching staff consists of young teams of experienced language teachers, all of whom studied at University and who have been specially trained in teaching Italian to foreigners.

Most of the teaching material has been developed by our schools and is excellently suited to the needs and requirements of the students. Thanks to a permanent work group the didactic material is continuously updated and adapted to the newest research on teaching languages to foreigners.

But learning Italian does not consist, for us at the Leonardo da Vinci schools, in just teaching grammar and vocabulary. We want to allow our students to gain insight into the Italian way of living and thinking. That is why we offer, in addition to the language courses, a whole range of italian culture extracurricular activities for our students.

FIRST SCHOOL DAY

On the first school day there is an entry test (written and oral), testing the student's knowledge of the Italian language.

Beginners will join a pilot course which is aimed to divide complete beginners from students with a little knowledge of the Italian language.

LEVELS OF ABILITY

On the first day of the language course, your knowledge of Italian will be determined by an entry test and an interview. Students with no knowledge of Italian will be assigned to the beginner level. Text books and supplies are provided by the school, but you are expected to bring your own dictionary.

The time it takes to learn to use a foreign language varies from person to person. Therefore, regular progress tests at the end of each level enables us to measure your language development and evaluate your performance over a period of time.

Our schools offer courses on six ability levels, following the Assessment Grid of the European Language Portfolio (ELP/CEF: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) which is based on the assessment grid of Schneider/North:

ELP/CEF = Language ability scale according to the European Language Portfolio (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
S/N = Language ability scale according to Günther Schneider and Brian North

DIDACTIC PROGRAM
(according to the level)

• Intensive grammar study
• Phonetics Development of vocabulary
• Syntax and application
• Listening and comprehension
• Dialogue and communication
• Situation method Idiomatic and phraseology
• Written and oral comprehension
• Lecture and analysis
• Live guided discussion and synthesis
• Free conversation

NOTA BENE

Teaching Material: Text books and supplies are provided by the school and is already included in the price of the course. You are expected to bring your own dictionary.
Minimum Admission Age: The minimum age for participants is 16.
Course Dates: In our calendar we specify the course dates, the public holidays and the days off for group language courses and courses in Italian culture.
Certificate of Attendance: On request, all students receive a Certificate of Attendance.
Lessons: The duration of each lesson is 45 minutes.

^top

DIPLOMAS AND EXAMS

Our teachers will be checking on your progress continuously during your course and will discuss with you any particular difficulties which arise in the teaching program. At the end of each course and each level, your progress will be assessed with a written test.

Your studies at the Leonardo da Vinci schools can be concluded with the following diplomas and examinations:

"Scuola Leonardo da Vinci" Certificates

Thanks to our international success many institutions and companies in your country recognize "Leonardo da Vinci" certificates and diplomas. They are valid proof of your knowledge and communicative abilities in the Italian language.

• Certificato di Frequenza: Certificate of attendance at the end of the course;
• Certificato di Conoscenza: At the end of the 3rd level (every month);
• Diploma di Lingua Italiana: At the end of the 5th level (every month).
  

"Firenze" Language Diplomas of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL)

The Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL) is the international association of schools, institutions and experts in the field of teaching Italian as a foreign language. The members of the association guarantee and promote the high quality of Italian language teaching.
AIL organizes the following Diploma "Firenze" language examinations:

• DELI A2 - Diploma Elementare di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" (Diploma of the Italian Language "Firenze") - AIL: Basic level (elp: A2 - s/n: N3)*;at the end of the 1st ability level.
• DILI B1 - Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" (Diploma of the Italian Language "Firenze") - AIL: Intermediate level (elp: B1 - s/n: N6)*; at the end of the 3rd ability level.
• DILC B1 - Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Italiana Commerciale "Firenze" (Business Diploma of the Italian Language "Firenze") - AIL: Business language, intermediate level (elp: B1 - s/n: N6)*; at the end of the 3rd ability level.
• DILI B2 - Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" (Diploma of the Italian Language "Firenze") - AIL: Intermediate level (elp: B2 - s/n: N7)*; at the end of the 4th ability level.
• DALI C1 - Diploma Avanzato di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" (Diploma of the Italian Language "Firenze") - AIL: Advanced level (elp: C1 - s/n: N9)*; at the end of the 6th ability level.
• DALC C1 - Diploma Avanzato di Lingua Italiana Commerciale "Firenze" (Business Diploma of the Italian Language "Firenze") - AIL: Business language, advanced level (elp: C1- s/n: N10)*; at the end of the 6th ability level.
  

*) Levels according to European Language Portfolio (elp) and Schneider/North (s/n); see ability levels.

Other Language Diplomas:

Our language schools organise preparation courses for the following language diplomas:

• CELI - Perugia;
• CILS - Siena;
• Certificato in Italiano come L2 - Rome.

Detailed information upon request.

^top