Italian Club 50 + course in Taormina
Our Italian Club 50+ courses in Taormina take place at our general language school in the centre of the town. Sicily is an excellent location to study Italian thanks to its relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, its marvellous climate, and its friendly, talkative locals. Taormina is a beautiful hilltop town brimming with fascinating history and magnificent architecture. Lessons are held in an historic villa with its own botanical gardens - in fact, the site is protected by the Soverintendenza alle Belle Arti (the national agency for the preservation of arts and monuments). As well as 9 fully air-conditioned classrooms, the school has its very own kitchen where cookery lessons are held and a cafeteria offering a selection of hot and cold drinks and snacks. There is also a library with a selection of multi-media learning materials that you can access throughout your time here. As well as being a protected site, the school building is a centre for Italian cultural studies and regularly hosts book presentations given by local authors. Other on-site events include live theatre performances and concerts, as well as sculpture and painting exhibitions in the gardens.
Throughout the centuries, Sicily has been coveted and conquered by innumerable invaders, resulting in a unique mosaic of cultures and influences. This is reflected in the island’s rich and varied cuisine, its fascinating traditions, and its incredible historical sites. During your time here, you can visit the Ancient Greek theatre - just a stone’s throw from the school - practice your Italian skills in one of the town’s lively bars, or simply take a stroll along the narrow streets, taking in the atmosphere. Or why not sample some native dishes in one of the many eateries close to the school? Many well-known ‘Italian’ foods - such as cannoli, arancini, and pecorino - are actually distinctly Sicilian, and even the pizza is different here! As Goethe once said, "To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything."
Our language school here has formal accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research and is affiliated with the International Association of Language Centres (IALC). It’s also a member of both the Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language (ASILS) and Eduitalia, two organisations which are committed to promoting and protecting the Italian language. These credentials demonstrate the high quality of language tuition available at this facility. What’s more, Taormina is a perfect base from which to explore the rest of Sicily, including the delights of Syracuse, Palermo, and Monreale. You’re also just a short drive from Messina, where you can board the train-ferry to the mainland and discover the gorgeous south coast of Calabria.
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Club 50+ course in Taormina
The Club 50+ package offered by this school consists of 10 or 20 Italian lessons each week (2 or 4 classes per weekday) in groups of no more than 10. Lessons on the Semi-intensive course take place between 09:30 and 11:00, while lessons on the Intensive course take place between 09:30 and 13:00. Classes are followed by a selection of social/cultural activities exclusively for students over the age of 50. Tuition is suitable for A0 to B2 students, and is therefore not appropriate for advanced-level learners. Language lessons follow the same format as the standard Intensive and Semi-intensive programmes, with the exception that students must be aged 50 or over to be eligible.
The Club 50+ course can be taken for 2 weeks at a time and has specific start dates throughout the year.
Please note: if there are no other Club 50+ students of your level, you can have private tuition and join your fellow mature students on the 50+ activity programme.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the Club 50+ programme as standard but can be added to your tuition package.
For maximum Italian immersion, we recommend that you select homestay lodging. Hosts are all native Italians, so you’ll be able to practice your language skills with them and carry on learning even outside the classroom. You’ll have a private single or twin* bedroom and 1, 2, or all 3 daily meals as part of the accommodation package. You’ll share the living and bathroom facilities with your host(s) and any other students living in the home. Bed linens and towels are included and changed weekly. Laundry is not included; you can use a local laundrette if you need to wash your clothes. Wi-Fi cannot be guaranteed - please let us know if Internet access is a firm requirement for you. You will have your own key to come and go as you please, though you must respect house rules and schedules. Hosts live up to 15 minutes’ walk from the school.
If you prefer total privacy and independence, you should book a studio apartment. All apartments are suitable for two people, though they can be booked by students travelling alone. Each apartment has a fully equipped kitchenette, a private bathroom, and a television. Bed linens and towels are included and changed weekly. Laundry facilities are not available on-site; you will need to use a local laundrette to wash your clothes. Apartments are located around a 15 minutes’ walk from the school. You will have your own key to come and go as you please; you are responsible for cleaning the apartment on departure. Please note that apartments do not have Wi-Fi access.
*Twin rooms are only available to students travelling together.
Accommodation is available from the Sunday before the start of your course until the Saturday after your course finishes. Check-in and check-out times are usually very flexible.
Activities
The Club 50+ package includes a selection of social and cultural activities designed to complement your Italian tuition and give you the best experience in Taormina. Possible activities may include:
- Walking tours of the town
- Group meals
- Hikes in the surrounding countryside
- Visits to local attractions such as the Roman villas and the Ancient Puppetry Workshop
- Food- and wine-tasting sessions
- Lectures and seminars on Italian culture and history
- Cookery workshops
- Half- and full-day excursions to local points of interest such as Syracuse, Agrigento, or Neapolis
You are also welcome to attend the sessions offered to all students on the general activity programme if you wish.
Suitability
This programme is ideal for mature students wanting to study Italian with other international learners of a similar age. Taormina is a lovely coastal location and therefore offers the perfect combination of immersive experience and beach holiday! Tuition is suitable for students with A0 to B2 Italian ability, and is therefore not appropriate for advanced-level learners. You do not need to start your course on a specific date if you are a beginner; since this programme only runs at certain times of year, all available start dates are suitable for all students, regardless of their starting language level.
Do note that complete beginners will join mixed-age Italian lessons and attend the Club 50+ activity schedule. If you already have some Italian experience but there are no other Club 50+ students of your level at the time of study, you can have private tuition or join general mixed-age classes.
Please contact us if you are unsure if this programme would be suitable for you; we will be happy to advise you.
How to get there
The closest airport to Taormina is Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, which is around an hour’s drive from the town and which is easily accessible from many worldwide airports.
From here, you can either take public transport to your accommodation or we can add an airport transfer service to your booking for an additional charge. If you select this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your lodging. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your accommodation on your last day and taken back to the airport in time for your departing flight.
You should arrange to arrive in Taormina on the Sunday before the course starts and depart on the Saturday after the course finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.
Location of our school in Taormina
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Student reviews & feedback
Club 50+
The course itself was good, with the main focus on the understanding and use of two verbs. The school staff were helpful and informative. The service given by Stephanie at Apple Languages was very good. Thank you
- W. Thomas
Club 50+
School set up alongside a shady courtyard was lovely. Courtyard cafe set up ideal for socialising too. Interesting mix of students and good teaching. But I was very glad to escape the afternoon heat to my hotel's poolside for homework.
- M. Moffat
Prices for Taormina
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