Intensive Italian language courses in small groups: Groups of 8 people maximum

Our group Italian language courses have a maximum of 8 people (5/6 on average): this allows teachers to easily follow the development of individual students and stimulate them to use grammatical and communicative structures, encouraging them to speak Italian from the very first hours of lessons. Italian classes in Liguria are held every day from Monday to Friday, therefore all our courses have an intensive character: our students, immersed in this Italian environment, make rapid progress.

Italian language pedagogy: a direct teaching method

In classes, the teachers always only speak Italian: beginner, intermediate, or advanced, all students are encouraged to express themselves with the linguistic tools they have at their disposition so that they can gain confidence in their abilities and become more independent in their use of the Italian language.

In order to get to know the linguistic structures, the first part of the morning is dedicated to grammar, the theory of which is then put into practice during the conversation lessons.

During both grammar and conversation lessons, vocabulary is enriched and attention is paid to correct pronunciation through both reading and listening.

Our educational material

Our textbooks, the product of more than 40 years of experience (the ABC School was founded in Florence in 1982), are written and curated by the ABC Italian language school and are updated according to the needs of the students who come to learn Italian in Italy.

These are complemented by original materials such as readings from newspaper and magazine articles, pieces of literature, audio-visual material, as well as games, songs, and activities created by teachers to help students express themselves and discuss different topics.

A wide selection of Italian language and culture courses

At the ABC Italian language school, there is a wide selection of Italian language and culture courses which take the needs and interests of our students into account.

There are group or individual courses, as well as combined courses (groups lessons in the morning then individual lessons in the afternoon), general Italian intensive courses, basic or professional courses, preparation for Italian language exams (CILS, AIL, CELI, PLIDA), Italian courses specialised for adults (50+), courses for families with children, online Italian courses…

Cultural activities in Sestri Levante and in Liguria

In the afternoons and on Saturdays, the school organizes a socio-cultural activities programme to help the students get to know Sestri Levante and other Ligurian towns better (Cinque Terre, Portofino, Porto Venere, Santa Margherita Ligure, Genova…), as well as the natural and artistic beauty, and food and drink cultures of Liguria. Those who wish to participate will be able to continue their days with the ABC school even after the Italian lessons in the classroom are finished: all the activities are in Italian and led by our teachers. 

Start dates

The ABC Italian language school at Sestri Levante is open from March to October. In this time, courses for beginners start every other Monday, while for other levels it is possible to start every Monday. A student’s level of ability in Italian is gauged through an online test,  which they are required to submit before their arrival in Italy, and through a quick oral conversation when they first arrive at the school.

Accommodation

The ABC school’s accommodation department can help students enrolled in Italian language courses to find accommodation in Sestri Levante. The rooms, in independent or shared flats, or in selected B&Bs and hotels, are all located within a maximum of 30 minutes' walk from the school.

Especially in high season, we recommend that you inform us of your accommodation requests as soon as possible.

Study Italian in Italy with the ABC School’s Italian language courses in Sestri Levante or Florence

Students of ABC School have the option to start their course in one school and continue it in the other: the Italian language courses at both are practically identical, the educational material and style of teaching likewise.

In Florence, the ABC school can be found in the historic centre, on the left bank of the river, in the Oltrarno area, one of the most classic quarters of the city, famous throughout the world for its art. From our terrace on the river, you can see the Ponte Vecchio (it's a two-minute walk away), the Uffizi Gallery, Brunelleschi's dome, the tower of Palazzo Vecchio, and more.

The programme of cultural activities focuses on visits to museums, monuments, and famous sites around the city (the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Vecchio, Santo Spirito, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, the Oltrarno, the Bardini Garden, the Boboli gardens) but we also offer wine tastings, walks in Chianti and visits to other Tuscan cities.

Your language study stay in Italy will be made a complete experience that will broaden your knowledge of the Italian language, culture, and the artistic and natural beauty of Tuscany and Liguria, two of the most evocative regions in Italy.