COURSES

1) What course would be appropriate for me? 
2) I want to have more details about the course, such as the lessons time and how many days would the course take a week, course outline etc.
3) How long will the course be and how much money will I need to learn basic Italian language?
4) If I want to take a 4 weeks (40hours) Italian course, can I continue to learn Italian the other 4 weeks and is program connected to the first 4 weeks?
5) In your Italian school, do you have any cultural courses as art, history, music, cooking courses, etc..?

TEACHING METHOD AND CLASSES

ACCOMMODATION

1) Which is the best accommodation for me? Since I saw first the apartment and then the accommodation to share with other students, I would like to know the advantages or disadvantages of each option.
2) I have seen on the web-site that prices to stay with a family go from 320 to 460 euros. What explains such a difference?
3) I would like to stay in a double room, can I book it although I am alone?
4) Also are the prices for accommodation same even in the summertime?
5) Do you accommodate students in three-bed rooms?
6) I would prefer to stay outside of Florence with a host family, would this be a possibility?
7) I am also a vegetarian, would I be able to find a family who wouldn't mind this?

SERVICE

1) Is there a possibility to arrange for transfer from the train station and how much would it cost?
2) Is it possible to send students emails to the school address whilst she is studying with you?
3) Do the students have access to Internet?

OTHER

1) Can I learn Italian Language?

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COURSES

2) I want to have more details about the course, such as the lessons time and how many days would the course take a week, course outline etc.
   We have a standard course "S1" which is 4 hours a day in the morning, from Monday to Friday (total hours 80). The 4 hours are divided in 2 parts with a small break in between; the first two hours of the course (from 9:00 am to 11:00 am) are dedicated to grammar and the other two (from 11:00 am to 13:00 pm) to conversation or activities to practice the language. This separation is just indicative for teachers and students, in reality if it is possible we prefer not to study grammar and conversation separately, since our main objective is to make the learning of the language as natural and communicative as possible.
If you chose the "S2" course (40hours/month), you have to decide in which two hours of the morning you want to study (grammar or conversation).
We have also a special course called "Duetto" which is specially designed for two students.
The afternoon is often dedicated to individual courses, also for some special cultural classes (held only when there are request from more than 3 students). Some time, when there are too many classes for the same level, some group courses are held in the afternoon.
We pay a lot of attention to the need of each student; we make sure that the student study in the class at his proper level.

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3) How long will the course be and how much money will I need to learn basic Italian language?
    You can chose from different type of Italian courses, yet in order to learn the basic Italian language we think that you need at least three months, studying 4 hours a day.
You can check the prices for each Italian course here.

4) If I want to take a 4 weeks (40hours) Italian course, can I continue to learn Italian the other 4 weeks and is program connected to the first 4 weeks?
   Yes,, if you carry on your studying as long as you want after your 4 weeks Italian course , you will enter the next level class only if you feel confident with the things you learned in the class before.

5) In your Italian school, do you have any cultural courses as art, history, music, cooking courses, etc..?
   We have available different cultural classes depending by the student's request.

TEACHING METHOD AND CLASSES

1) I just want to know which is teaching language at your Italian school? Japanese? English? Italian, etc.. ?
   Of course, since we teach the Italian language, we teach in Italian, yet in some special situation and depending by student's nationality, we can give some grammar explanation in English, Japanese or other language depending by the class teacher language skills.  

2) I speak English and assume you have English-Italian classes.
   All our teachers know English, yet we prefer if them don't use it, only when there is no other way to explain something very important..

3) Which are your main students nationalities?
   We do not have a main students nationalities, usually in the group courses and private lessons we have all kind of nationalities.

4) At what time do classes start on Monday?
   Usually, the first Monday of the course at 9:00 am, students have to do a level check. Lessons are held in Via dei Pilastri, 51 (tel. 055-2001207). The next day the starting time depends on the student's Italian language level. From the next day the timetable will be regular for all the month and it will be communicated after the first lesson.
We will let you know by e-mail, telephone or personally the first lesson's time and them after the level test we will tell you your course timetable.

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5) How many students are in a class and how are the classes broken up, i.e. grammar, conversation.....?
- Although, on our Internet site it is written that in a class there are between 3 to 10 students, usually there are between 2 to 5.
- As much as possible, we divide classes by levels, nationalities, personalities, and learning capacities.
- Our teaching method is very communicative, yet we make sure students get to know all the Italian language grammar.
- The standard course "S1" which is 4 hours a day in the morning, from Monday to Friday (total hours 80) is divided in 2 parts with a small break in between; the first two hours of the course (from 9:00 am to 11:00 am) are dedicated to grammar and the other two (from 11:00 am to 13:00 PM) to conversation or activities to practice the language. This separation is just indicative for teachers and students, in reality if it is possible we prefer not to study grammar and conversation separately, since our main objective is to make the learning of the language as natural and communicative as possible.
If you chose the "S2" course (40hours/month), you have to decide in which two hours of the morning you want to study (grammar or conversation).

6) Do you have different levels?
   Yes, we have different levels. As much as possible, we divide classes by levels, nationalities, personalities, and learning capacities

7) Do you test students to know how much they know?
   Of course, students have to make a test before they start the lesson. Usually, the first Monday of the course at 9:00 am, students have to do a level check.

8) I am more that fifty years old and I am really looking for a course in which I will interact with people of my age.
   We have at he moment students of your age, yet we can not make classes divided by age. If it is possible we do our best to make classes more age related possible. Anyway, don't worry about age, when we teach every one is treated equally with a lot of respect and we try to make age differences a positive thing to share. We like to have students of different nationalities and age, so that we can exchange ideas and experiences about learning the Italian language language.

9) I am 18 years old. I would like to study with young people. What is the average student age?
   The age of our students is between 18 to 70 years old. We could say that the overage age is 30, but don't worry about age. As I said, we like to have students of different nationalities and age, so that we can exchange ideas and experiences about learning a language.

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THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE

1) How well will I be able to speak after a 4 weeks course?
   Usually, after 4 weeks if you take a standard course, you could be able to make basic conversation using present and past tense, mainly the language you need for the every day activities in Italy

2) Do you require a certain level of prior knowledge of Italian?
   No, when you enroll, you let us know your level and then after a quick test the first day of the course, we decide the class at your level. If you don't know any Italian, you will study with other beginners

ENROLLING, PAYMENT AND DEPOSIT

1) Finally, I can't download the enrollment form; is there a possibility for you to e-mail or mail me one along with a brochure?
   Yes, if you have problems in filling the form On-line, please let us know it by e-mail, mail, telephone. Ask us the type of format form you would like to receive (mail with printed form or e-mail with word document form).

2) One more thing, can I print out the enrollment forms, complete and send them to you by post?
   Yes, you can do that or you can tell us by e-mail, mail, telephone the type of format form you would like to receive (mail with printed form or e-mail with word document form).

3) I will be very grateful if you do me a favor in processing my enrollment form when I do submit.
   We will process your enrollment and send you the enrollment certification only when we see (by fax or mail) a proof of the payment of the deposit (40% of the course total fee).

4) How should we make a payment to the school?
   For the payment method you can use the Bank Transfer or other ways as it is indicated in this Internet page [course payment details].
The payment has to be the 40% of the total price of the course.
You do not have to pay any deposit for your accommodation; you just pay for your accommodation after the courses has started.
After the payment please fill this On-line [course enrollment form].

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5) Can I use credit card?
   We are sorry, but we do not have a credit card payment facility, if you want to know other way how to pay the deposit visit this Internet page [course payment details].
If you want to use Western Union, please use this name and address:

Marcello Ciao
Via dei Pilastri, 51
Florence 50121 Italy
(+39) 055 2001207
(+39) 339 8724 363

6) Do I need to pay in euro?
If it is possible we prefer that you make the payment in euro.

I'm not clear on where to make the payment (40% upfront)?
   You can pay the deposit in one of the following way:

1) Bank transfer to: (banking expenses to be paid by the student):

7) Are there any enrollment fees?
   No, there is not enrollment fee.

8) I would want to know if money can be paid via western union money transfer? For I do not have a valid credit card for now.
   We do not have on our Internet site a credit card payment method, for this reason you can do it by Western Union money transfer if you like it or by Bank transfer or other type of payment as explained at this Internet page [course payment details] .

10) My question is if to register do I need to pay 40% of the course alone or the course and accommodation combined?
   You have to pay only 40% of the course and pay the accommodation and the rest of the course fee when you start the first lesson in Florence.

11) Will I have to pay any deposit for accommodation? I am asking all these because the Embassy here demands that?
   You do not have to pay any deposit for your accommodation; you just pay for your accommodation after the courses has started.
As for providing a confirmed accommodation reservation and the enrollment certificate, you will receive them only when we receive proof of your deposit payment (40% of the total course price).
Please read the instructions at this Internet page [course payment details], and also fill the Internet form at this Internet page[course enrollment form].

VISA

1) By the way do I need a Visa to live in Italy for 4 weeks?

 The European community (EEC) citizens don't need any visa, yet they are advised to get the form E111 from the local national health service in order to be able to receive free medical care in Italy. 

List of countries whose citizens are subject to the Visa obligation:

In view of the need to gradually harmonize the different national visa policies, the European authorities have adopted various measures including the Council Regulation 539 of 15.3.2001 containing the list of countries whose nationals are subject to the visa requirement.

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Nationals bearing ordinary passports of the following countries are subject to visa obligations:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Balers, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Colombia, Calmer Islands, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic), Cat d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican (Republic), East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Granada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of), Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Northern Marianas, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Papua-New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, (non-recognized territorial entity), Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia-Montenegro), Zambia, Zimbabwe.

(*) Exempt from obligation if the passenger holds a valid visa or residence permit from one of the EU Member States or one of the Parties to the European Economic Area Agreement of 2 May 1992, from Canada, Switzerland or the United States.

(**) Exempt from obligation if the passenger holds a valid visa or residence permit from one of the Member States of the European Economic Area, Canada, or the United States of America.

For long stays (above 90 days) for whatever purpose all aliens are required to hold a visa, even if they are nationals of countries which do not require transit or short-stay visas. [Visa explanation]

2) I am traveling in Australia at the moment, and I will be coming back to Israel in the middle of July. I will need to get a visa, but my passport is with me. Is there anything I could do?
   Although you can stay in Italy with a tourist Visa for 90 days, I advise you to contact the Italian Embassy in Israel or visit their home page at this address:
http://www.italian-embassy-israel.org/SiteFiles/3/23/207.asp

3) What about if I do not get the Visa from the Embassy?
   If you do not receive the Visa from the Italian Consulate in your country, after you send a proof of the reason why you didn't get the Visa, we will send you back the money you paid, yet we have to charge you a fee the office work (around 35 euro).
Anyway, we hope that this case won't be the case!

4) Is there a necessity of me getting a student visa in order to register?
  When you enroll from your country, you don't need a Visa, yet if your country is subject to visa obligations, you need one when you come to Italy. Please,  contact the Italian Embassy in your country to make sure you are eligible for Visa application or check this page:
[Visa explanation]

5) Can I extend my studying when I am in Italy? Can I work while I am studying?
   You can extend it if the expiring date of your visa allow it and if you carry on studying Italian. If your visa has expired you have to go back to your country to extend it. Anyway, if you are a national of a country that do not require a visa for visits up to a maximum of 90 days, you can study in Italy without a Visa up to 90 days.
If you don't have a working Visa, you can work in Italy only 20 hours/month.                               Top

6) When is the latest date to apply if I want to enroll in four months?
   It depends on the Italian Embassy in your country, but I advice to do it as soon as possible, at least some months before.

7) Please I am very much interested in studying in Italy, I wish you guide me through so that I can obtain a visa with no problem.
   Although we can help in some way for your Visa, usually Italian Embassy around the world cannot give or accept details of the students who are applying for Visa. We advice you to talk carefully with the Italian Embassy about the things you have and you don't have to do for your Visa application.

ACCOMMODATION

1) Which is the best accommodation for me? Since I saw first the apartment and then the accommodation to share with other students, I would like to know the advantages or disadvantages of each option.
   As for the accommodations, of course, the apartment is the most comfortable solution, yet I advice you to rent a single room in an apartment with other students, possibly Italians.
In Florence, unfortunately for men, owners prefer to rent to girls, but there are many good apartments also for men.
The host-family solution also is a good one, because you'll have a chance to experience the every day Italian life-stile; the problem is that, every year, many students from all over the world come to study in Florence, and for this most of the families offering this service has developed a quite bad attitude towards students. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't have to consider this solution, just try to get to know the family before move in the apartment.
Although Florence is quite small, the price of the rent is more expensive in the centre.

2) I have seen on the web-site that prices to stay with a family go from 310 to 420 euros. What explains such a difference?
   As it is written on the home page, the price of the accommodation is estimated; we have different accommodations which have different characteristics and different prices, for this reason, although we have good prices and the quality of accommodation is checked personally, we cannot be sure of which accommodation will be available at the time of your booking.

3) I would like to stay in a double room, can I book it although I am alone?
    At the moment accommodation owners prefers to rent the double room accommodation only to two students coming to study together or to students who they know each other, for this in your case only single room are available.

4) Also are the prices for accommodation same even in the summertime?
Yes, the price won't change in the summer, yet it would be more difficult to find an accommodation.

5) Do you accommodate students in three-bed rooms?
   Usually, it depends on the owner of the accommodation, some one doesn't mind to have three students in one room, but others want to charge the room for each person. Anyway, it is possible to book a room for three persons, but I think owners would charge more than for a double.              

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6) I would prefer to stay outside of Florence with a host family, would this be a possibility?
   Yes, this is possible we have many different type of accommodations available for our students. Usually, accommodating not in the center are less expensive.

7) I am also a vegetarian, would I be able to find a family who wouldn't mind this?
   We asked to few host family if this was a problem for them and they told us that there is no problem. Anyway, before booking your accommodation we will make sure the owner is aware that you are vegetarian.

SERVICE

1) Is there a possibility to arrange for transfer from the train station and how much would it cost?
   Yes, it is possible and it cost 30 euro.

2) Is it possible to send students emails to the school address whilst she is studying with you?
   Yes, it is possible. You can address your e-mail to any name plus @spiritoitaliano.com (ex: Peter@spiritoitaliano.com). Yet, before doing that, let us know the address name you chosen. We will pass you a printed copy of your e-mail.

3) Do the students have access to Internet?
   Yes, we have a small Internet-point corner with some computers that students can use. After two hours free, we charge a small fee for the use of Internet.

OTHER

1) Can I learn Italian Language?

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