| Howard (Georgia/USA) |
| Il Sasso, the Italian language school in Montepulciano, Italy, is located in a historic building in a walled Tuscan hill town. Classes are offered for every level from beginners to advanced Italian speakers, and special classes are available for business Italian, etc. Instruction is available either in small groups or one-on-one. Cultural activities, cooking lessons, and hikes in the countryside are also offered as a reinforcing what students learn in the classroom. Instructors all have university degrees, and they take a personal interest in their students' progress. |
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| Location description |
| Montepulciano is the highest of the hill towns in Tuscany. The historic center is still surrounded by its 14th century walls. The views of the Tuscan countryside with its vineyards and olive groves is absolutely breathtaking! (If I go to heaven when I die, this is what it will look like!) Students have the advantage of living in a small town where they soon feel they are a part of the community and at the same time they are only 2 hours away (by public transportation) from both Florence and Rome. Other cultural and historic centers like Siena and Pienza are even closer. There are good restaurants in all price ranges, and of course there are plenty of opportunities to taste the local Vino Nobile. If I could give this a higher rating than 6, I would do so. |
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| Housing description |
Students have the option of either living with a local family or having a private apartment. Hotels can also be arranged at a reasonable cost for shorter stays. Apartments are all located in the historic center of the town, and many have fabulous views. (Even if your view is just across the terra cotta rooftops, you are still in Tuscany and in a hill town at that!) Apartments are comfortable and are equipped a kitchen with plates, cutlery, glassware, etc. Linens are also furnished. No apartment is very far from Il Sasso's classrooms. It is only 1.1 kilometers from the main gate in the city's 14th century wall to Piazza Grande at the top of the hill, and Il Sasso is about half-way up.
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| Life-at-school description |
| Classes begin with an assessment of the student's level of proficiency, allowing them to be placed in a class at the right level. Formal instruction generally takes place in the mornings with afternoons free for sightseeing, visiting the weekly market, or whatever the student enjoys. Students are encouraged to use only Italian even outside of class, and friendly Poliziani (local citizens) will offer plenty of encouragement even if you don't get it right the first time. The Sasso staff go out of their way to make sure each student's stay is a success whether that means suggesting a restaurant for the evening or arranging a dental appointment. I've often seen Heike Wilms, who keeps the il Sasso office humming, carry on three conversations in three different languages at once! By the time your two week course is done, you feel that you have become one of the Poliziani. |
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| Overall description |
A historic town in beautiful surroundings. You will feel at home very quickly. The Il Sasso staff and instructors are very supportive. Did I mention that the food and wine are fabulous? I can't think of a better way to learn Italian.
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