Situated in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, Milan is best known as one of the world’s fashion and design capitals. But it is also awash with historical gems, many of which recall the city’s rich heritage in the fields of art and culture, such as the Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,”
Photo: Paolo Margari Candidato M5S Europa via Flickr
Needless to say, a foreign student living in Milan won’t be short of things to see and do. But if you want to focus on your studies, it is also a city that allows a degree of anonymity, with plenty of peaceful neighbourhoods outside the centre. If you’re thinking of taking the next step and coming to Milan to learn Italian, you may find our selection of three of the city’s best language schools to be useful.
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
www.scuolaleonardo.com
Located in a modern building in the historic centre of Milan, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci bills itself as combining language with culture through language courses that are supported by a diverse programme of cultural activities. The school has several impressive accreditations and is recognised by several prestigious educational institutions across the world, including a number of US Universities, 8 German Federal States for “Bildungsurlaub”, and Università per Stranieri di Siena in Italy. Lessons are spread over 12 classrooms, each well equipped with modern audio-video systems and high-speed Wi-Fi. All teachers have Italian as their mother tongue and lessons are held exclusively in Italian. Classes are generally in the morning or afternoon, leaving students with time to explore the city in the evenings. There are part-time, twice-weekly and evening courses available, as well as “academic year” courses lasting 32 weeks and designed for those keen to live and work in the city. The school also offers students a free search and booking accommodation service.
Photo: Scuola Leonardo da Vinci
Passepartout
www.passepartout-italia.it
Established in 1996, Passepartout is a boutique school that is officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education. A wide variety of courses are available, ranging from intensive long term and short term courses, evening courses, one-to-one courses, Skype courses and courses for companies. Class sizes are kept to a maximum of eight students, ensuring that each student gets individual attention in every lesson. All of the schools teachers are highly qualified and have undergone rigorous training in their custom-made methodology, which combines a communicative approach with strong attention to the structures of the language. The school also offers a free-of-charge accommodation information service which can be accessed after enrolling on your course.
Photo: Passepartout
Società Dante Alighieri
www.societadantealighieri.org
Located in the city centre, the Milan School of the Dante Alighieri Society has been teaching Italian for more than a century through a wide range of courses. Among those available today are intensive courses, ordinary courses, business courses, conversation courses and cultural courses, all of which can be learnt either individually or as part of a group. Students who successfully complete a course will receive a Certificate of Competence in Italian Language for Foreigners, recognised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In terms of extra-curricular activities, there’s a regular programme of conferences and artistic and musical events, most of which are free to attend for students. For those needing accommodation during their studies, the school can also help connect you with agencies that will arrange your housing needs.
Photo: Società Dante Alighieri