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Italian language School in Italy, Sicily, Cefalu
A small quality language school
in Sicily
The
focus at our Italian
language school is to teach the real
spoken Italian language, that spoken by Italians in everyday
life. Classes at our
Italian language school are small
and informal
stimulating the learning process and communication. In our language
courses, either a course in a group or individual tuition, learning duo
or Italian for special purposes, we always try to combine professionalism with liveliness, method with lightness of touch, efficacy with sympathy so that everyone can feel
at ease and leave behind the stress that the learning of a foreign
language sometimes involves.
What we aim at is that students attending our Italian courses should
learn to express themselves effectively and be able to interact with Italians in every
type of communication and cultural context.
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| The method we
use in our Italian language courses |
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The organization of
our Italian language
courses
is based on the development of the four basic skills: reading, writing,
listening, and speaking, as suggested by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework
of Reference which describes the levels of
teaching and learning a foreign language in the EU countries.
Particular emphasis is placed on improving listening and speaking
skills, developing vocabulary and functional language so that, outside
the classroom, you will be able to communicate in many different
situations and practise your Italian
with Italian people.
As part of
the Italian language course there are some lessons out of the school
when the students
can practise what they have learnt: order drinks at the bar, do some
shopping, chat with the shopkeepers or interview passers-by.
In class we use a wide range of authentic
teaching material: newspaper
articles, letters, authentic listening, simulation exercises and role
play in order to make the study of the Italian language a stimulating
and enjoyable experience; while also providing a good grounding in
grammar we focus mainly on a more practical use of the language to
teach students true communication skills.
The teaching material, which
is provided by the school, is constantly
kept up-to-date
and matched with the practical needs of the
various
groups.
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| Teaching levels at our
Italian language school |
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The first day of
the course at the
Italian language school students take
a preliminary test, a written grammar test and an interview, to decide
the appropriate Italian course level.
We cater for all levels as indicated by the Council of Europe in the Common European Framework
of Reference:
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level
A1
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Breakthrough
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ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
First steps in the language with oral practice to begin simple
communication.
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level
A2
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Waystage
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ELEMENTARY
Acquisition of the knowledge which enables the students to communicate
in everyday familiar situations.
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level
B1
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Threshold
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LOWER INTERMEDIATE
Greater mastery of the language and widening of vocabulary to reach a
level of Italian adequate for participation in general conversation.
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level B2
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Vantage
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INTERMEDIATE
Deepening and widening of the skills already acquired so as to be able
to cope with completely new situations and converse fluently with a
native speaker.
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level
C1
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Effective
Operational
proficiency
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ADVANCED
Deepening of the oral and written knowledge of the language with
particular attention to different linguistic registers.
More conversation on specific topics to achieve normal interaction on
almost the same terms as a native speaker.
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level C2
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Mastery
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PROFICIENT
Extending the range of vocabulary and idioms on more complex topics.
Improving fluency and accuracy.
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Within the above structure the
groups are
carefully arranged so that each
Italian language course is built around
the students and
around their previously acquired knowledge and linguistic competence.
In this way everyone can find the right course to satisfy their
individual needs at our Italian language school.
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| Our Italian language
school's staff |
All
our teachers are university graduates
and have a long experience of
teaching Italian as
a foreign language.
Our Italian language school organises regular In-Service training
for its staff in order
to keep teachers up to date with new methods and techniques of
language
teaching.
In addition to having the necessary competence and training we all
enjoy our work and try to give our best, since for all of us
teaching
the Italian language
is a great pleasure, an experience that stimulates and enriches us.
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Free
Time in Cefalu and Sicily
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Learning
a language should
not be confined to time spent at school. It is very important to
practice what you have learnt with Italian people, and to this end we
have a lively and varied social
programme
offering a range of
free time activities which aim to put you in touch with the people of
Cefalu so
you can get to know the Italian
way of life.
We also think you should enjoy
yourself, you are on holiday after all, so we have arranged
various
events including special evenings, excursions to the most interesting
spots in the neighbourhood of Cefalu
and the most relevant sites in Sicily
and sports.
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| Where
the Italian language school is located in Cefalu |
The
Italian language school Kulturforum is
located on the first floor (the so-called “piano nobile” the
reception suite) of a historic
building in Cefalu's
main
street,
the Corso Ruggero, close to the “Piazza Duomo” (Cathedral Square) in
the very heart of the medieval town,
where the most attractive
cafés, bars, pubs, restaurants, and shops are to be found.
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