Gap Year
Academic Italian for
University Preparation (B1-B2)
From 12 to 48 weeks academic Italian course
Learn Italian language and develop essential skills and knowledge to successfully enrol to undergraduate degrees in the best Universities in Italy, or at home. Focus on your areas of interest while improving your grammar and communication skills in a friendly international environment. Achieve the CILS Italian language certification upon completion.
Your Pathway to Success in Italy
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The ideal preparation for your university studies in Italy, or your Italian studies at university.
The Academic Italian program gives international students the opportunity to enhance their Italian language skills in an immersive and engaging environment. Beyond the classroom, students are able to learn Italian by living in Italy, using the grammar and communication lessons taught in class and apply them to their everyday settings.
The academic program is offered on a weekly basis. Student can choose to study anywhere from 12 to 52 weeks (3 to 12 months).
Students who wish to do so, will take the CILS B2 level exam (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) and receive academic titles with legal value, accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, valid for enrolment into Italian undergraduate degree programs, and also accepted by foreign universities.
Academic Prep Italian at The Italian Academy is for students that would like to either study in Italian, or are interested in Italian Studies in their home countries.
Whether you are an absolute beginner or an basic Italian speaker, we get you to where you need to be!
CEFR
The Common European Framework is the standard framework for language acquisition accepted across all EU member states. There are 6 levels – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2. Universities in Italy ask all non-Italian students to have at least a B1 or B2 level of Italian, which are considered lower and upper intermediate.
- Italian Language
- CILS Exam Preparation
- Italian Cultural Activities (option)
- Volunteering (option)
- Art and Design Workshops (option)
- Sports (option)
The Academic Prep Italian language course is tailored to your needs and objectives, choose a course duration of 3, 6,9 or 12 months. The Italian Academy offers courses at all levels. We recommend that students study for 12 to 24 weeks to move from one level on the CEFR to another.
Students are taught by expert, DITALS II qualified native Italian language instructors that implement the communicative method in the classroom to achieve the best results in all 4 linguistic skills: speaking, writing reading and listening comprehension.
Students who take Academic Prep Italian may also sit the CILS exam. The CILS exam is Italy’s most widely recognized language certification and is administered by the University of Siena. Student who wish to sit the exam will go over best practices for academic writing, preparation tests with CILS past papers and oral exam simulations led by instructors that are University of Siena CILS examiners.
The Italian Academy is a CILS exam
During the course of your stay you will be able to choose from a wide range of activities to fully immerse in Italian culture, from culinary workshops to ecotours, to historical tours, movie screenings, book clubs, tandem exchange aperitifs and buddy programs with local students.
Gap Year students may choose to dedicate time to social and/or environmental volunteering activities with NGOs that our institution supports. Activities will vary based on the needs of the organization, the students’ age, interests and skillsets.
Students may choose to take part in a range of artistic, photography and design workshops offered by internationally renowned artists and designers at the MADE Program Fine Arts Academy.
This may include the internationally-acclaimed MADE Labs summer school in July or short 1-week workshops that are offered to other international and local students throughout the academic year.
Students may choose to dedicate free time to improving their sports skills in a range of different areas. The city of Siracusa has excellent sport facilities, teams and coaches. At close vicinity from the school there are swimming pools, gyms, running and cycle tracks, football fields, basketball and handball facilities, as well as world-famous tennis and paddle clubs. There is also an excellent golf course “Monasteri” on the outskirts of the city.
Siracusa is also famous for a range of water sports, with students having the option to join Stand-Up Paddle surfing (SUP or Paddleboarding), kayaking, rowing, kyte-surfing and sailing clubs in the Great Harbour and on the Ciane river, where the historical naval battles of Ancient Syracuse took place, and where sportspeople still battle it out today.
“This incredible experience has helped me to explore my passions and find my true interest in the field of design, to have a clear idea on the degree specialization and career path I want to follow. The staff and professors at the Academy were incredibly supportive and made me feel welcome in the sunny city of Siracusa as from the first day of the program. I have made friendships with students from Italy and all over the world during the workshops and language exchanges events, it is an invaluable experience for my personal and professional development!”
Top Reasons to study Italian at The Italian Academy
Students who wish to either study in Italy, or complete Italian Studies in their home countries.
Our instructors are all native-speaking, DITALS-certified teachers with many years of experience. They are able to provide interactive and informed language instruction at all levels.
Students that would like to experience living in Italy before committing to full-time studies.
Classes are 20 hours a week, Monday to Friday, allowing for enough flexibility to explore other parts of Sicily and the country, as well as discover what it is like to live in Italy.
Students that need to improve their Italian language skills.
The achievement of a recognized B2-level (upper intermediate) certification of Italian language is required to take part in Italian undergraduate degree programs.
#1 Helps Fill the Gaps for Italian university
The Italian university system requires B2 upper intermediate level certificate for enrollment.
#2 Designed for International Students
Our students come from a range of countries, age groups and backgrounds. We welcome intelligent, creative, motivated people who are interested in better understanding Italian language and culture.
#3 Select the amount of time that suits you
Select the length of time you want to study. It is not a one-size-fits all program. The Italian Academy allows you to become familiar with the language and culture of Italy in the timeframe that works best for you.
Program Information
What are the program dates and fees?
Our Academic Pathways Italian courses begin every Monday. Students choose how many weeks they would like to study for. We recommend that students wishing to move up a level on the Common European Framework, consider at least 3 months (12 weeks) of study. Students can enrol in up to 12 months (52 weeks) of Italian.
Our complete price list can be found here.
What are the prerequisites to enrol at The Italian Academy?
Students seeking to study Italian at The Italian Academy for academic purposes should have:
– Secondary school leaving certificate or diploma
– Minimum 16 year old
What are the enrolment deadlines?
To apply to the program, students should follow the following steps:
- Email us at info@theitalianacademy.com telling us when you would like to begin your studies, and for how long.
Tuition Fee Payment deadlines:
– €60 Student Service Fee is to be paid at the time of application.
– Tuition is to be paid at least one month prior to the start date of the program.
NB. non-EU students that require a study visa should pay the 50% of the Tuition Fees at least 60 days prior to the start of the program in order to receive the letter of enrolment for the Italian consulate.
Syracuse, Sicily
Student housing
About The Italian Academy
The Italian Academy is a language school specialized in offering language and culture programs, as well as university prep courses. The Italian Academy is a University of Siena CILS local center.
Located in the city center of the city of Syracuse (Sicily), next to St. John’s Church, which gives access to the Catacombs and the Crypt of St. Marcian: the first place of Christian worship in the West, where St. Paul is said to have preached. The villa is also adjoining the Archaeological Museum and the Basilica of Our Lady of Tears, while the Greek Theater and the island of Ortygia are at a short walking distance.
Get In Touch!
Our team of student advisors is glad to support you every step of the way: from enrolment and visa application, to departure preparations, orientation and settling into your new city and home.
Address
Piazzale San Marziano, 1
96100, Siracusa, Italy
Call Us
+39 0931 61424
+39 389 5030 603(Whatsapp)
Email Us
info@theitalianacademy.com