Italian Language Classes which schools are best

Buongiorno tstoller,
I have no basis to decide which of the schools you mentioned is better that the other, since I only have experience with the Lucca Italian School (LIS). My experience at LIS, however, has been nothing but the best. I have attended three separate times, for three weeks each time. I also had some basic knowledge at the beginning. A staff member has a conversation with you the first day, and based upon your ability, will place you into the appropriate course. You can change classes at any time if you feel you are inappropriately placed (either too easy, or too difficult).
The classes run from 9AM to 1 PM, with a break in the middle. All of the teachers I had at LIS were exceptional. there were several extra-curricular outings to choose from during the week after class, usually at an additional charge to cover materials or transportation.
For housing, I would highly recommend staying with a host family or person. My last two times I rented a bedroom from a lady that lives near the school, and I will do that again when I return. The school staff can help you make those arrangements. If you want an apartment, there are many available, but there will be no immersive experience for you, compared to staying with another Italian at their home.
Lucca is not Florence by any means, and that is why I chose Lucca. Far fewer tourists, an interesting medieval wall that surrounds the older inner city, and a ton of fascinating places to eat all make Lucca a great place to stay and learn the language and culture of Italy.
Florence is a short train ride if you want to take a weekend day to see the sights there. Another easy day trip is to visit the Cinque Terre, but pick only one or two villages to see. Avoid any days a cruise ship visits, if possible.
No matter where you plan to study, go to the local shops and restaurants, and practice what you've learned in class. You will have a ball!
Ciao, e' buona fortuna a te!

Thank you so much for your thorough response! It is very helpful. Especially your suggestion of a homestay for full immersion.
I was in Florence this passed May and enjoyed it very much and thought I might want to return in March for the Italian lessons since it will be less crowded and I did not have a chance to experience all Florence had to offer (I was only there 3 full days).
Due to time constraints I was unable to visit Lucca in May and opted for Siena and Montepulciano instead. The Lucca Italian School sounds wonderful and would give me the chance to visit one of the places I did not have time for in May. My only reservation is whether one month there is too long?

My last two times I rented a bedroom from a lady that lives near the school, and I will do that again when I return.

What is the approximate cost of doing so, and is this possible for middle-aged adults or is it primarily for those of college age?

I've also attended Lucca Italian School and can confirm that it is a great school with good teachers and activities. Enjoy your time in Toscana!

I attended ABC School in Florence several times. My favorite is in Bologna though.... Madrelingua - in the city center. Both offered many outside activities. Florence is always busy just more so at some months of the year. I find it the least crowded in January but it often rains when I go. I go to Florence several times a year since I am in Vignola. I always stayed in a private apartment because I am more comfortable alone. You will have more opportunity to speak Italian outside of Florence since so touristy many speak English and will revert to English. Another school I liked was in Salerno...Accademia Salerno. I rarely heard English there which was what I wanted. Good luck and enjoy.

Lucca Italian School sounds like it would fit your bill. I got a lot out of the week of classes I did there a few years ago and I liked the excursions/optional activities they offered. I will say that I was exhausted after class each day, so I had to pace myself. The school offers special weeks focused on cooking and speaking, or the olive oil harvest, for example, so check those out on their website. I don’t know what month you’re planning to be there but they did tell me that September is one of their busiest months.

“Is one month in Lucca too long?”
Well it depends! I spent almost a month there, but my family roots are in the area and so I was meeting cousins and family friends in addition to exploring Lucca.

One caveat: Lucca is no longer a back-door destination. It is definitely on the tourist trail and gets crowded with day trippers including cruise groups. It’s also hot and humid from summer through mid September.

Thank you Accidental Southerner. I will be going in the shoulder season - March - so it may not be as busy as summer or September. You were lucky to be able to visit with family while there. I am traveling solo and would not know anyone, which is why I thought maybe 4 weeks would be too long there. Would it be crazy to split my time and do lessons in both Florence and Lucca?

The upside of splitting your time, say two weeks in Lucca at Lucca Italian school, and two weeks in Florence at school there, is that you’re exposed to different teaching styles and this could help your language learning. You also have the opportunity to be right in Florence before the hordes of tourists arrive. From Lucca, you can do some day trips that might be too far from Florence. And from Florence, you can do some day trips that might be too far to do from Lucca. The potential downside of splitting your time is the hassle involved in “moving house“.

My husband has spent a month, twice, studying Italian at the Istituto Michelangelo in Florence --- there are half day classes and full day classes. When he did it in September, there were some extra evening activities, like going to the Accademia at night. I just now asked him and he said they offer all kinds of cooking classes, art stuff, etc. He also said he'd love to spend a third month in Florence attending the language classes again!

There is almost an infinity of things to do in and from Florence. Lucca, not so much.

https://www.michelangelo-edu.it/

Thank you Nancy8! I'm curious to know his thoughts on the school and the classes he took. Would he be ok if I private messaged you/him?

Regarding your question of how much time to spend taking lessons, that probably depends on your schedule and available time to travel. One week, definiltly not enough. Two weeks, way better that one week, you will start to feel more comfortable as you get use to the routine and your surroundings. You will become braver in speaking with the shop owners and restaurant staff, and other more advanced students. Three weeks in, and the locals will start to recognize you, and initiate conversation in Italian. That's heady stuff for a student, and those days were my favorite while in Lucca. Four weeks would in my mind be ideal. Once you're in (Italian) high gear, the learning goes more fluidly, the conversations are less stilted, and you truly feel like a (temporary) local. You start to use other tenses (future, imperfect, etc.) appropriately, and one may even start dreaming in Italian!
A question was asked about the appropriate age for someone wanting to consider a home stay. I was in my 60s the last two times I stayed with a local person. The folks at LIS would probably be able to help set you up with the best-fit hosts.
The cost for the home stays is quite reasonable I paid for a daily breakfast each day, and my housing costs for three weeks were around 500 euros. That was four years ago. Cash rules with these homeowner transactions, as the payments are usually "sotto il tavolo."

Sure, PM me!

Also, my husband's had a weekly 2-hour Italian tutor on Skype for nine years --- they found each other on craigslist!