Linguaviva Educational Group opened its first school in Florence in 1976 with the idea of encouraging not just the study of the Italian language but also the discovery of Italian culture and history. The center works with schools in Florence, Milan, Lignano, Shanghai and Tokyo
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city abounds in Renaissance treasures created by the greatest artists in the world – Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
The school in Florence is housed in a 19th-century building. It is just a few minutes from the city center and is perhaps the best location for studying Italian language and culture. It is suitable for students over 16.
There are several accommodation options.
- Homestay with an Italian host family, with several meal options – breakfast and dinner, breakfast only, or the student can use the kitchen to prepare food they buy themselves. The bathroom is shared, but a private bathroom is also available. The minimum stay is 2 weeks. Single or double rooms. The minimum age for this option is 16
- Shared apartment, where the student rents a single room, or a double room if two students are traveling together. The bathroom and kitchen are shared. The minimum stay is 2 weeks. The minimum age for this option is 18. The price includes gas, water, electricity, etc.
- Private apartment for fully independent students. The minimum stay is 1 week. The minimum age for this option is 18. The apartment is for 1 or 2 people and is fully furnished. Gas, electricity and water are paid separately.
The various courses offered in Florence include
- Italian and cooking – Italian language study - lessons focus on improving listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. There are 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons a day from Monday to Saturday. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes. Courses last no less than 2 weeks, with a maximum of 12 students per class, and cover levels from beginner to advanced. Cooking classes take place in the afternoon, 6 hours per week, split into 2 sessions of 3 hours. Students will have the chance to immerse themselves in amazing Italian cuisine. Minimum duration 2 weeks.
- Standard course – focused on developing oral and written skills. The course includes 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons a day from Monday to Friday, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes; the minimum duration is 2 weeks with 12 students.
- Intensive course - focused on developing language skills in the professional and cultural spheres of life. The course includes 30 lessons per week, 6 lessons a day from Monday to Friday, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. Minimum duration 2 weeks.
- Super intensive – offers the opportunity to combine the standard course with private lessons. The course includes 30 lessons per week, 6 lessons a day from Monday to Friday, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes. Minimum duration 2 weeks.
- Individual – 20, 30 or 40 hours per week, 4 to 8 lessons a day. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes. The minimum duration is one week.
- Italian and the arts - The course includes 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons a day from Monday to Friday, with each lesson lasting 45 minutes, plus 8 lessons of 45 minutes per week in one of the following arts – fashion design, interior design, digital photography, black-and-white photography and drawing. Minimum duration 4 weeks.
A stay in Florence also includes:
- Visits to historical sights such as Duomo, Accademia Gallery, Uffizi Gallery, Bargello, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, The Medici Villas.
- Italian film screenings at the school
- Organized excursions and walks around the area: a full-day excursion once a week, usually on Saturday, and half-day excursions to interesting places during the week.