NIK-LAS.com | Italy Program

LANGUAGE PROGRAMS

Courses are taught by professional, young teachers who have studied at the University level and who have been specially trained in teaching Italian to foreigners of all ability levels. Teaching Materials, such as text books and supplies are provided. However, you are expected to bring your own dictionary.

Our friendly and helpful staffs provide personal attention to each student. Italian is taught in small study groups (maximum 12 participants) and individual classes. There is a whole range of activities offered for students to gain insight into the Italian culture.

You are taught according to the Direct Method: from the first day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken. The spoken language and live language are emphasized, thus, continually stressing the use of verbal communication permits you to learn Italian "naturally", to unite theory and practice easily and to increase your knowledge quickly and with confidence. Advanced courses also practice the written language.

Courses follow the Didactic program according to level, thus focusing on the following areas:

i. Intensive grammar study, ii. Phonetics Development of vocabulary, iii. Syntax and application, iv. Listening and comprehension, v. Dialogue and communication, vi. Situation method Idiomatic and phraseology, vii. Written and oral comprehension, viii. Lecture and analysis, ix. Live guided discussion and synthesis, and x. conversation.

Semi Standard

Group instructed 10 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. These courses are ideal for students who wish to split course time with enjoying their time in the city.

Location: Florence Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Standard

Group instructed 20 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday, usually beginning at 9am. If there are many participants the Standard Course may also be held in the afternoon at 2pm.

Location: All Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Super Standard

23 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. The course consists of 4 lessons of group instructed language course plus 3 lesson of Individual course per week. It combines the Standard Course with private lessons (one-to-one). The individual lessons are specifically designed for your specific needs.

Location: Florence Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Standard Plus

20 + 5 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. The course consists of 4 lessons of group instructed language course plus 1 lesson of Individual course per day. It combines the Standard Course with private lessons (one-to-one). The individual lessons are specifically designed for your specific needs.

Location: All Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Intensive

Group instructed 30 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. It consists of 4 lessons Standard Course per day in the morning and 2 extra lessons of group language course in the afternoon. In the afternoon session students have the opportunity to increase their knowledge with practice in speaking and conversing.

Location: Florence, Milan, Rome Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Intensive Plus

20 + 10 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. The course consists of 4 lessons of group instructed language course plus 2 lesson of Individual course per day. It combines the Standard Course with 2 private lessons (one-to-one). The individual lessons are specifically designed for your specific needs.

Location: All Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Individual (One to One)

Tailor-made private classes for highly motivated persons who need to advance rapidly in a specific area of study but in little available time. You decide how many classes you want and what you wish to study. This course can be formatted to suit your particular professional and personal needs, as well as your own time schedule. It allows for continual language practice, maximum concentration through intensive work with your personal teacher and, especially, active practising of your communication skills guarantee you swift progress and success in the shortest possible time. Minimum 3 to maximum 8 lessons per day; the course intensity may be changed from week to week.

Location: All Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Combined Cities

This program attracts the voyagers in students. It allows for students to choose from the list of courses that we offer in our schools and distribute the learning experience among the different locations. By combining a course from among these different cities, one will learn Italian and have the opportunity to know the rich variety of Italian cultures at the same time. Plus, it makes for great city hopping.

Location: All Level: All Duration: 4 - 24 weeks

Group Programs

For groups of 5 or more persons traveling together on the same package to the same destination, please contact our Group Department for a group discounted price quote at: group@nik-las.com
With a group of 5 or more persons, you may organize a program that fits your interests and trip desires. Contact our Group Department for more information.

Location: All Level: All Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

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CULTURE & FOCUS PROGRAMS

Business & Professional Courses
30 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. The professional courses consist of the Standard Course plus two (2) Individual course daily that focus on terminology from selected professional field. You can choose among the following subjects: - Business Correspondence - Business Italian - Italian for Banking Business - Italian for Law - Italian for Healthcare - Italian for Hotel Industry - The Language of Wine and Food - The Language of Tourism - Italian for Flight Attendants - The Language of Fashion - The Language of Architecture - Italian Cinema - Italian Literature - The Language of the Opera - The History and Language of Theatre Location: All Level: Intermediate and above Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

Italian for Tourism
It is designed for people wishing to learn or perfect their Italian with a specific focus on the world of tourism. If you are working (or would like to work) for a travel agency, tour operator, restuarant, hotel, congress organiser or any other sector of the tourism industry? Well, this is the program for you. This is basic training for those who work or plan on working in the tourist industry. The course allows the student to master specific technical terminology. It is given as 5 group classes per week. Location: Florence Level: Intermediate and above Duration: 4 weeks

"Italy Today"
25 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. The "Italy Today" Course is perfect for students who want to learn Italian and at the same time become acquainted with the culture and history and the current social and political situation of their host country. In addition to the 4 lessons Standard Course in the morning, there are afternoon sessions that introduce the student to art and culture, history and folklore, press and films as well as the current political and economical situation of Italy. The cultural part of this course consists in 10 supplementary lessons over two weeks. Location: All Level: Intermediate and above Duration: 2 - 24 weeks

A.I.L.[Accademia Italiana di Lingua] "Firenze" Exam Preparation
As a recognized examination centres of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL), the school host preparatory courses for the different Italian examinations "Firenze" of the AIL. The preparatory courses always start one month before the examination dates and consist daily of 4 group lessons of grammar review and conversation plus 2 lessons of test taking strategies and examination drills. The exams are organized to test the level of Italian; below the exams are listed with the ability level that they test for: DELI - Diploma Elementare di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" - AIL, (elementary level): exams 4 times a year. DILI - Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" - AIL, (intermediate level): exams 4 times a year. DALI - Diploma Avanzato di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" - AIL, (advanced level): exams twice a year. DALC - Diploma Avanzato di Lingua Italiana Commerciale "Firenze" - AIL, Business language, (advanced level): exams twice a year. Start Dates: March 1, May 31, August 30, November 22 Exam Dates: March 26, June 25, September 24, and December 17 Location: All Level: All Duration: 4 weeks

Italian For Teachers
33 Classes of Italian Language and culture per week from Monday to Friday. This course supports Italian-language teachers by bringing the theoretical knowledge and teaching methods up to date. The emphasis is placed on revitalizing linguistic and didactic abilities and refreshing your socio-economic and political-cultural knowledge of Italy. The course covers the following: I. Teaching Italian as a foreign language (theory and practice); II. Lessons in diction; III. Body laboratory; IV. Student-teaching. This program can be combined with the advanced seminar for Italian-language teachers who are not native speakers of Italian. The course is available to Italian and foreign professionals who want to acquire the teaching tools, both theoretical and practical, used in the teaching of the Italian language and Italian culture to foreign students. The program meets the requirements for a LINGUA grant that teachers of Italian within the European Union can take advantage of. Start Dates: Florence: 1 March, 14 June, 18 October Milan: 15 March, 14 June, 23 August Rome: 17 May, 28 June, 4 October Location: Florence, Milan, Rome Level: All Duration: 2 weeks

Drawing
This 6 group instructed classes are held in two afternoon lessons of about 3 hours each per week. It is usually organized in the following way: Realistic representation of still life, importance of lines in an object's character, discovery of chiaroscuro and perspective. Lesson can be held in Italian, English and French. Location: Florence, Milan Level: All Duration: 2 or 4 weeks

Paintings
This 6 group instructed classes are held in two afternoon lessons of about 3 hours each per week. The course is outlined for those students that have already a good drawing ability and would like to learn watercolour techniques. The initial lessons include the basic techniques of painting and watercolour; students will work in monochrome and progress to working with a palette of warm and cold contrasting colours. Advanced students with a good knowledge of the techniques will be supervised by the teacher with whom students can discuss their work. Lesson can be held in Italian, English and French. Location: Florence, Milan Level: All Duration: 2 or 4 weeks

Italian Design
Italy is world-famous for its design and this course will enable you to study the history of Italian Design and learn about the influence of Italian design in daily life. It is given as 12 group instructed lessons over 2 weeks. The course "History of Italian design from its origins to the present" covers the following topics:
The first decades of the 20th century:	How and why the design had its beginnings in Italy; Furniture among
	artisans and industry; Futurism as freedom of expression.
The 30s and the 40s:	Between rationalism and autonomy - from Terragni to Ferragamo;
	Changes in style of a nation living under a fascist regime.
The 50s:	Italian design is born - awards and recognition.
The 60s:	Plastic - the exuberance of forms and colours.
The 70s:	Great recognition for aesthetics and technology.
The 80s:	Post-modern - contemporary classical style; Abstraction and new
	colourings.
The 90s:	Influence and clash of Italian design in daily life.
Location: Florence, Milan Level: Intermediate and above Duration: 2 weeks

Italian Fashion
The Italian Fashion course introduces you to the world of Armani, Ferré, Ferragamo, Versace and many more famous Italian fashion designers. It is given in 12 lessons over 2 weeks. The program of the course "The History of Italian Fashion" is as follows: Palazzo Pitti and the birth of Italian fashion: Why the Italian fashion was born in Florence; The "Sala Bianca" - the first Italian fashion show; Recognition and success of "made in Italy". Graphic fashion and publicity: The influence of art on fashion; how publicity enters the world of fashion. Italian fashion and the cinema: From the sandals of Salvatore Ferragamo for Marylin Monroe to the dresses of Giorgio Armani for the new American stars; Fashion in theatres and the cinema. History of Italian style: The great masters of "made in Italy"; the new masters of "made in Italy". The masterminds of fashion: From Roberto Capucci to Gianfranco Ferré. Fashion for youngsters: From Fiorucci to Benetton. Location: Florence, Milan Level: Intermediate and above Duration: 2 weeks

History of Italian Art
Italy's has many magnificent art works. Our course on the History of Italian Art will enable you to understand its history and social background. The 12 lessons over 2 weeks is designed to show, by means of slides and guided visits, the development of art in Italy in relation to the rest of Europe and offers you an introduction to the most important artistic styles (Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque). You will become acquainted with the most important works of artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo while learning about the most significant historical and social events that accompanied them. The program foresees the following subjects: Introduction: General and historical lists; and the Romanesque period. The XIII century: Architecture - passage of the French Gothic in Italy; the "Italian" Gothic; and the sculpture: from Nicola Pisano to Arnolfo di Cambio. The architectural and urban transformation between the XIII and the XIV century Florence and Siena in the XIV century: Cimabue and Duccio; Giotto; Simone Martini and the Lorenzetti brothers; Florence in the second half of the century; and traces of international Gothic. Brunelleschi and the revolution of perspective: The three fathers of the Italian Renaissance: Brunelleschi, Donatello, Masaccio The first Renaissance: Florence in the first half of the XV century Florence in the second half of the XV century: The cultural environment of Lorenzo il Magnifico and Botticelli Leonardo da Vinci Rome, artistic capital: Raphael and Michelangelo Location: All Level: Elementary and above Duration: 2 weeks

Italian Cuisine
This 3 group instructed classes is held in one (1) evenings lessons of about 3 hours each per week. In this cooking course, you will prepare typical Italian meals and learn recipes from the various regions of Italy. The course is shaped for all potential participants: from the novice who is interested in learning about cooking as well as for the expert who is interested in refreshing and deepening her/his knowledge. Participants receive a recipe book including a vocabulary in several languages. During each lesson the students prepare and cook a different complete menu which consists of typical dishes of Italian cuisine in the tradition of genuine simplicity. At the beginning of each lesson the teacher explains the menu of the day and distributes the work. During the preparation and the cooking of the food, the teacher demonstrates, explains and gives valuable hints and tips. The students prepare the table and dine together. Each student or pair of students presents and serves to the others the dish they have prepared. Location: All Level: All Duration: 2 or 4 weeks

Italian Wines
This 3 group instructed classes is held in one (1) evenings lessons of about 3 hours each per week. This course introduces students to the art of grape cultivation, processing and storing of the most well-known Italian wines. The practical part consists of wine tasting of 24 quality wines from the different regions of Italy. When possible a visit to a renowned wine-cellar will be organised. Maps will be shown and illustrated material handed out (statistics, charts, descriptions etc.). Program topics: How to read the etiquette of an Italian wine bottle; Classification of the Italian wines (house wine or denomination of origin, D.O.C. and D.O.C.G.); The traditional techniques of cultivation, fermentation and aging used in Italy; Wine tasting and terminology; The wine production in Italy and its consumption; New, non traditional wines; The products of Tuscany, the north-western region (Piedmont), the north-eastern region (Friuli, Sud-Tyrol) and the other regions, especially of the central and southern area of the peninsula. Plus, the combination of food and wine and the comparison with foreign products will also be covered. Location: All Level: Intermediate and above Duration: 2 or 4 weeks

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