Best place to spend a monthSiena or Montepulciano?

Montepulciano, especially if there is less a tendency for human traffic jams there then In Siena
you need immerse yourself somewhere where there is limited English speaking

Montepulciano would require a car, or at least it would be highly advisable to have one. It's a very small town with limited public transportation options.
Siena is a small city, so you can easily survive without a car.

Regarding the school. What is your goal? To learn Italian, or just have a good time with peer students for a month?

If your goal is to have a good time either is great. Just decide if upyou like a village or a small city.

If your goal is to learn Italian, you should not go to either, especially in summer. The locations you mentioned are packed with Americans. You are more likely to hear English than Italian in the streets. Especially in Montepulciano (surprisingly enough). The reason is that Siena, being a city, with a larger population, the tourists are more diluted, and you can stay in neighborhoods where there are very few tourists. In Montepulciano, which consists of one Main Street and not much else, that is harder (unless you go in winter). The temptation for you to congregate with other English speaking people will be stronger than you can imagine. Also the friends you will make, will be likely your school mates, many of whom will be American. If you really want to learn Italian, you need to go to a school in an area where there are few chances to have Americans, and you should stay with an Italian family where nobody speaks English. I sent my wife on her own many years ago to learn Italian to a school in Florence (worst place to learn Italian). She learned very little at school, but living with my family (who spoke zero English and lived outside of the tourist infested city center) did the trick.

Thank you both for your response. I recently studied at Lucca Italian School and found that most of the students where speaking English. There were very few people at the school who spoke Italian. Therefore, I tried to speak with the native speakers whenever I had a chance. In addition, I rented a private apartment which lessened my speaking opportunities. Could you recommend a town where there are fewer tourists? I thought maybe Bologna or a home stay in Sardinia with a tutor. However, in Sardinia I will need a car. I am nervous about driving in Italy. Thanks again. Diane

If you really want to be surrounded by Italians only, you need to be outside city centers. Bologna has a lot of international students because Bologna has the most prestigious University in Italy. There are thousands of international students in Bologna, and oust congregate in the city center.
But even in Florence, English speaking people will be very few outside the city center or in the neighboring towns. For example what are the chances of finding Americans in Grassina, or Agliana? Nearly zero. Language schools are likely in towns and cities with lots of foreign visitors. But No matter where the school is, I recommend that you stay in a very small town outside of it (but not famous tourist destinations like Montepulciano or San Gimignano). It's easier to make Italian friends in small towns. Just go to the coffee bar in the main Piazza and within minutes you make friends.

My daughter took 3 quarters of Italian at the University she attended, prior to her semester abroad in Florence. This gave her a foundation in the fundamentals of Italian. When she arrived in Florence, she insisted that her host-family speak to her only in Italian. By the time my daughter was ready to return home (4 months later), she had become fluent in Italian. Her host-mother told her that she could easily find a job in Florence, either teaching English or working as an interpreter. It's been my observation that the best way to learn a foreign language is to combine both formal instruction with full emersion. Best wishes!

Yesterday we spent the day in Siena, and today we are going to explore Montepulciano!

I spent two weeks in Siena in 2010 attending language school, here: http://www.saenaiulia.it/
I thought it was very good. I also attended the Lucca Italian School a couple of years ago, so I see we're on the same path.

In re-visiting Siena yesterday I was reminded how beautiful it is, and how -- when I retire -- I'd like to come back for a month as well. I've considered Montepulciano for language classes but it seems too small for me. And I like how accessible Siena is to other cities.

Whatever you decide, you should discuss your concerns with the school. You may be ready for individual lessons or a smaller, more intensive group. I've also wondered if it's possible to attend classes (in Italian) at the university in Siena, although I'm not sure I'm fluent enough for that, yet. My guess is that the school can arrange a more challenging curriculum if you want.

After our visit to Montepulciano, I'll write back if I've changed my opinion, but at this point, I would go to Siena. It's a gorgeous town.

Editing to add: I agree a homestay with an Italian family would be very beneficial to learning Italian. The school can set this up for you. Or, you can look here http://www.studentessamatta.com/italian-language-homestay-vacations/. Melissa blogs in Italian and English and leads groups to Italy to study the language. She will also arrange homestays.

DD Traveler

Returning to this topic to say that we visited Montepulciano yesterday afternoon and evening. It is an entirely charming town, gorgeous views, lots of wine --- one I hope to return to again. People were friendly and spoke Italian with me, very kindly. We had a great dinner there, too. As we were leaving, groups of Italians were headed up the hill -- for a concert maybe? not sure.

So if I had a car for at least a couple of weeks, and could find a lovely rental or a homestay, I might spend the month in Montepulciano. The town was larger than I expected but certainly not as large as Siena.

I noted the Il Sasso office was at one end of town -- the lower end.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

DD

We have spent many short stints of two or three days in Siena because we love Siena and spent 2 weeks in Montepulciano a few years ago in a lovely apartment with parking in the historic center. Montepulciano is a great base for exploring the region. Siena is a big city and to get out to the countryside you drive through a lot of town. I love Siena but for a month I'd pick Montepulciano. It has the advantage of location and ease of travel AND in the evening there are many nice restaurants within an easy walk. Although there are no real grocery stores in the historic center and only one well hidden bakery, there is a large supermarket a couple of blocks from the lower town gate. We just stocked up on groceries when we were doing day trips in the area on our way home.

I would like to thank everyone for their help. I will be studying Italian at Queens college in the fall. The college is affiliated which universities in Italy. When I return to Italy I will
arrange my study abroad through the college. Thank you all for your help.