Academic Italian for

University Preparation: 

from Beginners to Advanced

 

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 (B1, B2 or C1).

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 from a minimum of 4 weeks to a full academic year.

Students can choose to take the CILS 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.

The Academic Italian course is for students that would like to either study in Italian, or are interested in Italian Studies in their home countries. 

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 centre. Students will be able to enroll in either the Spring or Winter exam sessions (usually June and December) in order to achieve the B2 CILS certification which is recognized by all Italian and international universities.

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 dedicate free time to improve 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.

Whether you are an absolute beginner or a 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.

“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 be 16 years old or older.

What are the enrolment deadlines?

There are no deadlines. Enrollment is on a rolling basis. To apply to the program, 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

A WARM-WELCOMING COMMUNITY

While the outgoing nature and warm hospitality of Italians is appreciated worldwide, international students living in the small and safe city of Syracuse are always surprised at the open arms welcome they receive from local people, which helps to create the friendly and comfortable atmosphere that all our students gladly recount.

A STRATEGIC STARTING POINT TO EXPLORE ITALY & EUROPE

Syracuse is also a strategic base for those who wish to enjoy all the beauties of Sicily, just a stone’s throw away from all the other major attractions of the island: the Valley of the Temples and the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento, Mt. Etna, the highest volcano in Europe, and the hill-top city of Taormina. It is also very easy to reach all main Italian locations: the nearby Fontanarossa Airport connects Syracuse with all major cities (Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples), daily and with low cost flights.

THE CAPITAL OF THE ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN WORLD

Syracuse (Siracusa in Italian), listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a treasure trove located on the southeastern coast of the Italian island of Sicily. Over 3 millennia, it has collected a wealth of art and precious architecture, which bears witness to the passage of many glorious civilizations.

SMALL COMMUNITY, LIVELY CITY

Today the city of Syracuse is a warm-welcoming, lively city with much to offer to adventurous souls and culture vultures alike: one may choose to explore the labyrinth of narrow streets of the historical center, take a stroll around the medieval castle that overlooks the natural harbor or explore the pristine beaches and marine reserves that surround the city.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH LOCAL STUDENTS

Syracuse Academy regularly organizes yracuSltural exchange events to allow international students to meet and make friends with local students. It is easy in a city like Syracuse to make long-lasting connections and build friendships with Italian peers. We acknowledge that engaging with locals plays an essential role in developing confidence in the spoken language.

 

Student housing

Student Residence: Private rooms

Students may choose to live with other international students attending language and culture courses at the Syracuse Academy. All accommodation is at a short walking distance from the Academy.

Homestay: Private Room, Half-board

Students may choose to live with a Sicilian host-family in comfortable apartments close to the school with private bedrooms. Homestay accommodation includes 2 meals per day, breakfast and dinner.

This type of accommodation guarantees a safe, comfortable and fully immersive experience, which enhances our students’ linguistic and cultural learning.

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.

Your Pathway to Italian Language in Italy

Take the first step and contact our team. We are here to help! 

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

Head Office: Piazzale San Marziano, 1, Siracusa, Italy

Call Us

Phone: +39 0931 61424

Email Us

admissions@theitalianacademy.com

Ready to Apply?

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Ready to Apply?