Italian Language

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence

Dates: Throughout the year

Description: With courses ranging from 1-12 weeks, students can choose to study Italian language or History of Art, or follow a combined Italian and History of Art programme. We also offer courses in Life Drawing.

Our History of Art courses focus on the artists and masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, from the early fourteenth century through to the High Renaissance at the end of the sixteenth century. Each course comprises both illustrated lectures and guided visits, enabling students to experience at first hand the works of masters such as Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.

Italian language courses are designed for beginner, intermediate and advanced level students with classroom activity being directed towards building confidence in the spoken language. Materials used in class have an emphasis on the city of Florence to enable students to learn about the city, its culture and customs through the study of the language. Housed in two magnificent buildings on either side of the River Arno in the heart of the historic centre of Florence and minutes from all of the city's legendary museums, galleries and churches, the British Institute has a long tradition of excellence in its teaching and offers students the opportunity of experiencing the life and culture of this unique city within the framework of a structured programme of study.

Our experienced student support team is on hand to advise on study options and help with finding accommodation.

Highlights: The British Institute of Florence, established in 1917 and granted a Royal Charter in 1923, was the first of the British cultural institutes to operate overseas and served as a model for the establishment of the British Council in 1934.

Today the British Institute is a vibrant and unique bi-cultural institution offering a wide range of educational and cultural programmes.

Our English language courses are linked to the Council of Europe's Common Europe Framework and our youngest students begin learning with us from the age of 5. We are the principal centre in Tuscany for the Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages) exams.

The Harold Acton Library, containing the largest lending collection of English books in mainland Europe, is host to many cultural events throughout the year and provides a lively point of contact between Italian and English speaking people, whether long term residents, students or visitors.

Our Archives are recognised as a source of valuable material regarding links between the Anglophone and Tuscan communities and can be consulted by appointment.

Cost in US$: Contact us for more information.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Other

The British Institute of Florence's Mission Statement: Its objectives as defined in the 1923 Charter were to promote understanding between the citizens of Italy and the countries of the British Commonwealth through the maintenance in Florence of a library illustrating Italian and British culture and the promotion of the study of the English and Italian language and the cultures of both countries.

Year Founded: 1917