Italian Language Programs in Italy

Robin,

How long are you planning to stay in Italy to learn Italian?

http://www.istitutovenezia.com/ In Venice. We know two English people who did intensive language course here. They moved from the UK, have taken up residence in Venice, teaching English.

You might enjoy his blog:
http://jonesesavenezia.blogspot.com.au/

I had a fantastic four weeks in Camerino (in the Marche' region) at Scuola di Dante Alighieri! I think the program works best if you know some Italian as all the school activities are conducted in Italian, but the program is amazing, the teaching excellent, and the town the perfect small setting to practice Italian with natives and classmates alike!! The town is a bit isolated, but perfect if you're really looking to improve your Italian in full immersion. Plus once you're comfortable, you can travel with your new language skills as I did!… My Italian improved immensely!

So excited for you… Have a great time!!

http://www.scuoladantealighieri.org/ing/index.htm

Ciao,
Susie

My birth city (Florence) has many. My wife attended one called Dante Alighieri (not the same as the one suggested above) in Florence. But if you really want to learn Italian you should avoid Florence or Rome or any place with too many English speaking students/visitors/expats. You will end up befriending people from your own country or another English speaking country and will learn absolutely nothing. Find a school in a place no American or Briton has ever heard of and you are less likely to find English speaking people.

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I am looking to study for 4 to 5 weeks. I wish I could stay longer but that's all the time I have off from my job.

I agree that it's best to learn in a location where there aren't English speaking opportunities. Does anyone know of language programs in Sicily?

In Sicily you will probably more likely learn Sicilian if you speak with natives.

Robin,

Thanks for the clarification on the time frame. There are also Italian language schools in Assisi and Orvieto, either of which are very pleasant places to stay for a few weeks.

Robin,
I have looked at many language schools in Northern Italy, and have come to the conclusion that the one I would prefer is the Lucca Italian School, obviously in Lucca. I went to Lucca last Fall, and had the opportunity to visit the school, and sit in on a class for a few hours. The director of the school was friendly and accommodating, answering all of my questions. We had a short discussion in Italian so she could see what level of coursework I would start in if I attended classes there.
The classes are many and varied, with a lot of out-of-class experiences. You can find them at: www.luccaitalianschool.com.
I plan on returning for a four week stay next year.
Have fun!

Sicily is a region in Italy and Sicilians speak Italian.

The dialect is something people speak with family or close friends but not in interactions with strangers.
That is true not only in Sicily, but everywhere. So when I'm with my close friends in Florence I might say "O'ndottu'sse'andaho?" but with others I would use the proper standard Italian "Dove sei andato?" (Where did you go?). If you thought that Tuscans don't have their dialect, try and Google Translate the Florentine sentence above.