The Ponte Vecchioin Florence

Learn Italian in Florence

Learn Italian in Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and one of our most popular schools in Italy.

16 classrooms
Minimum age: 16
Private garden
Refreshment points with vending machines
Art history library
Wi-Fi throughout the building
Level test prior to arrival
Various activities offered
Course materials purchased on-site
Member of IALC, ASILS, and Eduitalia
ICB-Quality assurance
CILS examination centre
Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research
Approved for CSN and Bildungsurlaub programmes (various states)

Our school in Florence

When you learn Italian in Florence with us, you’ll study in the heart of the city and be just minutes away from the breath-taking Piazza del Duomo and the bustling Piazza della Signoria. The latter is home to a copy of Michelangelo’s David, which is overlooked by the impressive Palazzo Vecchio. If you’d rather see the real thing, take the 20-minute walk to the Galleria dell’Accademia and have a look for yourself!

Peaceful green spaces like Baboli Gardens and Parco delle Cascine are both within 30 minutes’ walk from the school, while the small but quaint Giardino di Valfonda is a great place to soak up the sun after class. Other nearby sites include Ponte Vecchio, Loggia dei Lanzi open-air sculpture gallery, and Piazza della Repubblica, home to bourgeois mansions and cultural cafés like the famed Giubbe Rosse.

Italian lessons take place in an elegant 19th-century building right in the middle of the city’s Centro Storico. The facility has 16 airy classrooms, a student refreshment area with vending machines, and a well-stocked art history library. It also has its own private garden, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. With public transport links close to hand, you can easily explore the city and the wider region of Tuscany once your lessons have finished.

This school first began teaching Italian to international students back in 1976. Such a wealth of experience makes it perfectly equipped to welcome pupils of all ages and abilities. Its courses are accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research; they are also approved for CSN and Bildungsurlaub funding by the Swedish and German governments.

As well as boasting ICB-Quality assurance, the facility is a member of various quality-control organisations including Eduitalia, the Association of Schools of Italian as a Second Language (ASILS), and the International Association of Language Centres (IALC). When you attend an Italian course in Florence, you’ll learn from highly qualified teachers and immerse yourself in life in this iconic city, helping you to reach your goals in no time.

Photos

Learning Italian
Italian lessons in the garden
Private tuition
Relaxing in the garden

Florence

Famous for its many seminal artworks and stunning architecture, Florence is a truly superb location for an Italian language course.

As the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, this city boasts the greatest concentration of art in the world. Even just walking the streets is a joy - when you do so you’ll discover Florence’s huge palazzos and wide piazzas, its sheltered walkways and ornate archways, its ancient churches and its stunning basilicas. Dotted with parks and green spaces, this popular tourist city can be peaceful as well as bustling.

When you learn Italian in Florence with us, you’ll find out more about the city’s rich cultural legacy, see world-famous artworks in its many museums and galleries, and taste delicious local delicacies like ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina. Our school’s amazing location makes it easy for you to experience everything this city has to offer. What’s more, Florence is the perfect place to develop your Italian language skills, since the Florentine dialect is the ancestor of modern Standard Italian.

In 59 BC, Julius Caesar founded Florentia (‘the flowering’), a village for Roman army veterans. Since it was built on one of Italy’s key trade routes, this small settlement quickly became an important commercial centre boasting spas, an amphitheatre, and a forum, all protected by huge walls. The last surviving remnants of these walls are the portas Romana, Croce, San Giorgio, San Niccolò, and San Frediano. You can also find relics of Florentia’s early history in the National Archaeological Museum.

By the Late Middle Ages, Florence was one of the most powerful cities in the world. The arts and sciences flourished between the 14th and 16th centuries, thanks in part to the ruling Medici family. Formerly bankers to the Pope, this famous family commissioned cultural projects to display their wealth. These included world-renowned artworks, new architecture, and scientific research. Many of Florence’s most popular attractions - from the San Lorenzo Basilica and Boboli Gardens to the work of Michelangelo, Donatello, and da Vinci - came from this period.

The city sits in the gorgeous Chianti region, famed for its rolling green hills and acres of vineyards. Here you can experience true Tuscany, with its quaint farmhouses, its verdant fields, and its stunning sunsets. Weekend winery tours offer the perfect opportunity to see more of the area, learn more about local wines, and put your newly developed language skills into practice!

We won’t blame you if you prefer to stay in the city, however, since there’s just so much to do here. You can visit artisanal handicrafts workshops and enjoy street performers outside the Uffizi Gallery. You can cruise down the Arno on a traditional barchetto or take a peaceful stroll through the huge Parco della Cascine. Brave explorers can climb Giotti’s Tower for an unparalleled view over the city, while shopaholics can visit the boutiques lining the world-famous Ponte Vecchio. Whatever you do during your stay, your experience in Florence is sure to be spectacular.

Courses in Florence

Available courses

    The general Italian course is the Intensive programme of 20 group classes per week. Lessons usually take place between 09:30 and 12:30 each weekday, though they could be held between 13:30 and 17:00 during busy periods. When you book this course, you’ll study with other students with the same ability level, meaning you can start making improvements straight away. Classes are restricted to just 14 participants, giving you extensive interaction with the teacher and lots of opportunities for language practice. You’ll find that you’re able to significantly develop your Italian skills regardless of how long you study for.

    Select the Super-intensive course for a more rigorous programme. This combines the 20 core lessons with 10 extra group classes per week which expand on the content of the Intensive course, allowing you to make even more progress during your stay in Florence.

    Please note: if you have little to no previous experience of learning Italian, you must begin your language course on an appropriate date. Feel free to contact us for further information on beginners’ start dates.

    Undoubtedly the quickest way to develop your language skills is by booking private tuition. You can choose the standard package of 20 weekly one-to-one lessons or a bespoke package according to your preferences. However many lessons you pick, you’ll benefit from unlimited interaction with the teacher and maximum opportunities for language practice. The nature of private tuition means that it’s particularly suited to those who want extra support with their studies and those who want to cover specialist topics like medical or business Italian.

    While private lessons are superior in terms of language development, they don’t offer a highly social learning experience. Thankfully, you can combine the best parts of both courses by attending an Intensive + Private programme! By adding 10 one-to-one classes per week to your core Intensive course, you can get to know your fellow students in group lessons without missing out on the language benefits of private tuition. Your one-to-one lessons will take place around your group timetable; the exact schedule of this course will be confirmed on your first day.

    As a city noted for producing some of the world’s most famous artists, Florence is the ideal location for learning more about this subject. On our school’s Italian & Art course, you can combine your 20 general Italian lessons with 8 weekly lessons focusing on painting, photography, fashion design, or interior design. This package is available for 1, 2, or 3 months at a time and has set start dates. Students should have reached at least A2 level to follow the course. Please note that this course requires a minimum number of participants to go ahead.

    A key reason our students want to study in Italy is to experience the country’s astounding national cuisine. If you’re a foodie, why not select our fantastic Italian & Cookery course? As well as your general Italian lessons, you’ll receive 2 x 3-hour cooking workshops per week. Cookery lessons are taught by professional chefs at the nearby Culinary Arts School. Here, you won’t just be introduced to iconic national recipes; you’ll also improve your vocabulary and speaking confidence, as well as enjoying the dishes you’ve made with your classmates! This course can be booked for 2 - 4 weeks on specific start dates. Tuition is appropriate for all levels.

    If you’re over 50 and are looking for a comprehensive package of Italian lessons and cultural activities that you can enjoy with your peers, select our fantastic Club 50+ programme. You can find out more about this excellent package by clicking the link below.

    Interning for a foreign company is a great way to demonstrate both your language ability and your working skills to universities and potential employers. If you’ve been thinking about attending an internship, we can help! We can arrange a 2-, 3-, or 4-month Work Experience programme in a wide range of industries. Students looking to book this package will need to attend at least 4 weeks of tuition at the school to ensure their level is appropriate. Please contact us for more details.

    Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us today to see if we can arrange a bespoke package for you!

    Special courses in Florence

    Accommodation

    Available accommodation

      Staying with a local homestay host offers maximum language immersion, since all hosts are native Italian speakers. This accommodation option therefore allows you to continue learning and using Italian outside the classroom.

      Our hosts live a maximum of 15 minutes from the school by public transport, and all offer private single or twin* bedrooms. When you book this option, you’ll also have access to the communal spaces including the lounge and the bathroom(s). Private bathroom access may be available on request for an additional fee. Rooms are available with the following meal packages: self-catering (you’ll have access to the kitchen to cook your own meals); breakfast-included (doesn’t include kitchen access); or half-board (breakfast and dinner each day; no kitchen access).

      Bed linens and towels will be provided by your host(s) and changed regularly; your host will also do your laundry once a week. Most hosts offer Wi-Fi access, but you should let us know at the time of booking if this is a requirement for you. You will have your own key to come and go as you please, but you must respect house rules and schedules. You will need to pay a €100 security deposit on arrival; this will be returned to you on departure providing your room is left in a suitable condition. Please note: students under the age of 18 must book half-board homestay lodging.

      If you’d prefer a little more independence, you can share an apartment with other international students. When you select this option, you’ll have a private bedroom* on a self-catering basis and share the kitchen, bathroom, and living facilities with the other resident(s). This is a great choice for anyone who wants a social lodging experience. As a low-cost option, it’s also perfect for anyone travelling on a budget.

      Apartments are located around the city and may be up to 20 minutes’ walk from the school. You’ll be placed based on availability at the time of booking, so we cannot guarantee the location of your lodging. Bed linens, towels, and utilities are included, and you can use the apartment’s washing machine to do your laundry. Most apartments have Wi-Fi but some do not; you should let us know at the time of booking if this a requirement for you. You will need to pay a €100 security deposit on arrival; this will be returned to you on departure providing your room is left in a suitable condition.

      For total privacy and independence, you can select a studio apartment and enjoy your own space close to the city centre. Most apartments are located within walking distance of the school, and all have a private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette.

      Bed linens, towels, and free Wi-Fi are provided, and most apartments have a washing machine for doing laundry. Air-conditioning is not guaranteed but may be available on request. Double-occupancy apartments are available for two students travelling together. Please note that utilities are not included in the package price; these should be paid directly to the owner, along with a €100 security deposit which will be returned to you on departure providing your apartment is left in a suitable condition.

      *Twin rooms are only available to students travelling together. If you select a shared room but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room.

      Activities

      To complement your Italian studies, our school organises a variety of social and cultural activities in the afternoons, evenings, and at weekends. These will teach you about Italian history and culture and give you hands-on experience of life in Florence. Since all activities are held in Italian, they have the added benefit of maintaining your language immersion and allowing you to put your newly developed skills into practice in real-life scenarios.

      Many activities are available free of charge, though some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:

      - Tours around the city
      - Visits to popular attractions such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and Ponte Vecchio
      - Italian film screenings
      - An evening aperitivo with the class
      - Visits to local music events and/or bars
      - Lectures/seminars on Italian society and culture
      - Half- and full-day excursions to local points of interest such as Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano, and Chianti
      - Plus seasonal activities available in the city

      How to get there

      The city’s airport, Florence Peretola, is around a 20-minute drive from the Centro Storico. As a major international airport, Peretola is easy to reach from destinations around the world.

      From here, you can make your own way to your lodging or you can book an airport transfer service on arrival. If you select this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your accommodation and taken back to the airport in time for your departing flight.

      You should arrange to arrive in Florence on the Sunday before your course starts and to depart on the Saturday after it finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.

      Location: District 1, Florence
      Nearest convenience store: 210 m
      Nearest café: 220 m
      Nearest metro stop: N/A
      Distance from train station: 300 m (Santa Maria Novella)
      Nearest bus stop: across the road!
      Distance from airport: 7.7 km (Florence Airport, Peretola)


      Location of our school in Florence

      Course

      4.4 / 5
      Accommodation

      4.2 / 5
      School Staff

      4.5 / 5
      Average score for our school in Florence based on 11 previous client reviews.

      Student reviews & feedback

      Intensive 20
      Course
      Accommodationn/a
      School Staff

      The course was excellent, and Emanuela is an exceptional teacher. I can say, without reservation, that she is one of the best teachers I have ever had?

      I loved the games and activities we did! They added variety, and were extremely useful for our learning. I also enjoyed making new friends with other students. Can’t wait to come back!

      Intensive 20 with Shared Apartment
      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      The course was very good, my first teacher was incredible and very understanding. However when I got to the last 2 weeks of my course, I got a new teacher who was no where near as good as my first. The staff in the reception were great and checked up regularly.

      The accommodation was great, especially the location. The landlord was lovely, very helpful at all times. The only thing I would say is that the rooms were very different sizes, with my roommates having almost double the size of my room, however for me it was perfect. The kitchen and bathroom were great as well.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      Especially highly qualified teachers who are adapted to the specific needs of each student, establishing not only an academic relationship, but also bonds of friendship that will last over time. Teachers and staff allow students to feel appreciated and a vital part of the structure of the school and Florence resulting in that this opportunity becomes a unique and unforgettable life experience.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      In class I learned the language and during the activities I was able to put into practice what I had studied. I was also able to visit many interesting things in Florence. The school teachers and staff are very dynamic and helpful

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      My experiences in Florence are all positive. The teacher was very nice and she taught us a lot of things. In my free time the school organized many trips and excursions, the most beautiful for me was the one to the Cinque Terre. Florence is also a beautiful city that in my opinion must be seen.

      Course
      Accommodationn/a
      School Staff

      Florence is a place where I not only learned the Italian language but also got to know the culture and the nice people of this country. I had already studied Italian in my country and also here in Florence but my experience here was totally different. I began to understand what it is like to learn a language. The people here are nice and the environment is very friendly. I am happy to have chosen thsi school and I recommend not to miss the opportunity to attend a course here!

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      I started attending the school 3 months ago and I was able to learn Italian without any problems because all the teachers teach very well at every level and then the lessons are always fun. There are also many after school and weekend programs and I got to know many famous places and Italian culture. I enjoy talking to people from other countries using a common language. I'm really happy!

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      In my opinion, Italian is studied in a very fun way, the teachers are competent and kind and most of all fun. I came to here twice in Florence and I was able to improve my Italian a lot.

      Course
      Accommodation
      School Staff

      The school is a good option for those who want to learn Italian in a relaxed environment. The school offers many alternatives on a cultural level. The facilities and staff are very friendly and are always looking for a way to help you, the residences assigned by the school are good too.

      Student stories on our blog

      Missing Florence…

      I really enjoyed the course. There was a small group of just 6 us in class for two weeks, then 3 or 4 in the group for the following 2 weeks. With this small class size, we had plenty of opportunities to speak Italian individually. The teacher, Enrica, was very skilful at drawing us out and was very nice. We all liked her a lot. The course was a mixture of discussion, speaking, using grammar, verbs, etc. We also had quite a lot of homework, which was good for reinforcement. Read more...

      Prices for Florence

      Choose your course below to view our prices in pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR).

      (b) = start dates suitable for complete beginners and all other levels
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      Our schools are rated  (4.59/ 5) based on 3984 customer reviews!
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