Enjoy an Italian language course in Italy at our language school in the city of Milan.

Milan, the capital of Lombardy is situated on the flat plains of the Po Valley and is Italy's second largest and richest city. Wealthy and cosmopolitan, the Milanesi enjoy a reputation as successful businesspeople, equally at home overseas and in Italy.

Better known for being new and fashionable, Milan has never willingly thrown out the old. Three times in its history the city had to rebuild after conquest by foreign invaders. The city's layout is best understood as a historic nucleus around the Cathedral, from which a star-shaped axis of arteries spreads through modern suburbs to the ring road.

The modern civic center lies to the northwest, around Mussolini's central station, and is dominated by the Pirelli skyscraper, which, dating back to 1956, is one of the first skyscrapers in Italy. The trade and fashion fairs take place in the Fiera district, west of the nucleus around the Porta Genova station.

Founded in the seventh century BC by Celts, the city, then known as Mediolanum ('mid-plain'), was first sacked by the Goths in the 600s (AD), then by Barbarossa in 1157 and finally by the Allies in World War II. Milan had to make an art of recovery, successively reinventing herself under French, Spanish and then Austrian rulers from 1499 until the reunification of Italy in 1870.

It is a miracle that so many historic treasures still exist, including Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper, which survived a direct hit in World War II. The Milanesi's appreciation of tradition includes a singular respect for religion, to the extent that they even pay a special tax towards the Cathedral maintenance. It is therefore fitting that the city's enduring symbol is the gilded statue of the Virgin, on top of the Cathedral.

Sightseeing is made easier by the proximity of attractions to the city's Cathedral. Students should not be afraid to explore on foot, ignoring the efficient transport services when time permits.

The center has an attractive number of pedestrian quarters where a cocktail of architectural styles, the grandeur of Imperial Austria, grace of Renaissance Italy and optimistic bravado of the Belle Epoque often stand shoulder to shoulder with the very modern - to stylish effect.

The pace of Milan can be unrelenting. Visitors embracing the invigorating tonic of city life will need to balance their time - as the Milanesi do.

Urban romantics will enjoy wandering the southern stretch of the historic center, taking in the canal banks of the Naviglio Grande, where the old wash houses can still be seen, exploring the University district and the historic collection of basilicas San Eustorgio and San Ambrogio. The city parks, Parco Sempione and the Giardini Pubblici, are to the north and pleasant enough for a break on a sunny day.

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

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Enjoy Soccer games - AC or Inter Milan at the San Siro stadium, World famous art - Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper,
The Brera Gallery, Duomo (Cathedral),
Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II, Museo Teatrale alla Scala (Theatre Museum at La Scala),
Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum),
Il Cimitèro Monumentale (Monumental Cemetery),
and Some of the best shopping in the world!

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SCHOOL FACILITIES
18 nicely decorated and bright classrooms, computer room, cafeteria and terrace. There is an Internet point just out of the school and our students have special prices, gym and sports facilities are close by.

Established 1990 the school is in an excellent location in the center of Milan in a well known street, in the commercial area, Corso Buenos Aires, close to the Lima underground station.

It is housed in a beautiful art nouveau 3 storey building with a small garden to the back and is walking distance to cafes, shops, banks, bars, etc.

The school has a maximum capacity of about: 280 students per month and students come from around the world: 40% from Asia, 38% from Europe, 15% from North & South America, 7% from the rest of the world. The average age of students is around 23 -24 years of age.

The school is authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education to teach Italian language and culture to international students.

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THE BASICS
Course for all language levels - set dates for beginners - use of course materials - each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning - lessons are usually held in the mornings starting 09:00am each day - min age 18 - Max. 12 students per class - unlimited course length.

Standard: (20 lessons per week).
Combined: (20 group lessons + 10 private per week).

The school has a team of skilled teachers who are specialized in teaching Italian as a foreign language and have university degrees. The teachers employ the most advanced teaching methods and resources. Grammar and vocabulary are introduced in a gradual and efficient manner. Particular emphasis is placed on developing communicative skills in speaking and writing.

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Host Family: (private room - no meals).
Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 10 to 20 minutes away by walking or public transport.

Self Catering Apartments: (private room) no meals.
This is also a very popular option especially for those students looking for further independence. Our apartments are normally located within the same distance as the host families and are shared (with other international students studying at the school) so will be sharing with many other nationalities. Our apartments are co-ed. Apartments are not air conditioned but have fans and will be cleaned once every week. No washing machine is available, however, there is a Laundromat close-by.

NOTES: Airport transfers may be included or available, also extra nights can be booked before / after course (at an additional cost), please check price page for details. The Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included in the program price. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat.. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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