Reviews of Solemar Academy, Cefalù, Italy
Total number of reviews: 41
NOTE: All reviews are authentic. Only students who booked their course through us can publish evaluations here, and only after the end of their programme. These evaluations then are not manipulated in any way, neither by us nor by the school, and can be trusted as honest opinions about personal experiences with the school.
Average Rating
Based on 41 reviews of former students of Solemar Academy
Overall rating Solemar Academy, Cefalù, Italy | 4.9 |
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City | 4.6 |
Organisation | 4.7 |
Facilities | 4.5 |
Social activities | 4.3 |
Quality of teaching | 4.8 |
Value for money | 4.5 |
Accommodation | |
Homestay | 5.0 |
Shared Flat (apartment) | 4.0 |
Other | --- |
Individual Reviews
Solemar Academy
22. Apr. 2024
1. Cristina (60 years)
101.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
101.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
22. Apr. 2024
2. Chiara (27 years)
102.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
102.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
22. Nov. 2023
3. Susanne Germany
103.Course: Standard Course - 1 week
103.Course: Standard Course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
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School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared Apartment
30. Oct. 2023
4. Karin (55 years)
104.Course: Intensive Course - 2 weeks
104.Course: Intensive Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The school is great. Well structured, excellent and competent teachers. I would recommend it at any time. I'll be back.
Negative aspects
In the 2nd week I was in the 50+ group. I didn't book that. It's nice to learn together and swap ideas with younger students. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible in the 2nd week.
Other comments
Top school
City/place
For me personally, Cefalu is the most beautiful town in Sicily. I've been there many times and will always come back.
Quality of teaching / language progress
A big thank you to the two teachers Mauro and Marco
4. Oct. 2023
5. Elke (50 years)
105.Course: Combined Course (20 group + 5 private) - 1 week
105.Course: Combined Course (20 group + 5 private) - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The classes are small, the lessons are varied and a lot of fun. The teachers are very motivated.
25. Sep. 2023
6. Diana (41 years)
106.Course: Combined Course (20 group + 5 private) - 2 weeks
106.Course: Combined Course (20 group + 5 private) - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
An intimate and friendly place. The teachers are very interesting people. They are able to teach the language with passion.
Negative aspects
None
1. Aug. 2023
7. Ilka (52 years)
107.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 2 weeks
107.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Very qualified friendly teachers. Learning was really fun and very entertaining. Super organised. Very helpful, also in emergency situations.
Other comments
I can only recommend it, even for first-time learners.
City/place
A touristy but very friendly city.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Very method-oriented and therefore very interesting and motivating.
11. Jul. 2023
8. Paul (66 years)
108.Course: Two-to-One - 2 weeks
108.Course: Two-to-One - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
---
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Friendly and competent teachers who accommodated our wishes (private lessons for two) and allowed plenty of space for (everyday) conversation. For the first week of lessons, a personalised paper was given; in the second week, we worked with video material. The lessons were varied, serious and fun in equal measure. The lesson times (45') were adhered to very precisely.
City/place
A tourist hotspot that offers a lot: Beach, restaurants, the Rocca, compactness.
19. Jun. 2023
9. Laura Germany
109.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 1 week
109.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
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School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
19. Jun. 2023
10. Sabine (35 years)
110.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 1 week
110.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
7. Jun. 2023
11. Ingrid Gulli (64 years)
111.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
111.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Good location and premises. Good organization of lessons and content.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
City walk, movie night and cooking class
Other comments
Molto bene
City/place
Good location worth recommending
Quality of teaching / language progress
Perhaps a little more about Italian history
15. May. 2023
12. Rune (65 years)
112.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
112.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Cozy school with a dedicated teacher. New groups every week but despite this, they did well with the composition. If you are wondering whether to book or not - don't hesitate, do it.
Negative aspects
Not everything can be perfect, even good schools have some weaknesses.
- Ask direct questions to individual students, forcing them to think and try to speak regardless of their level. I know it's boring, but still
- More grammar with exercises a bit earlier.
City/place
Very good, but for Cefalù as a city one week is enough.
6. Dec. 2022
13. Bernd (69 years)
113.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
113.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
16. Nov. 2022
14. Jadwiga Poland
114.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
114.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
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Value for money
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Detailed review
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School organization
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4. Oct. 2022
15. Kathrin (57 years)
115.Course: Intensive Course - 1 week
115.Course: Intensive Course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
3. Oct. 2022
16. Dagmar (63 years)
116.Course: Intensive Course [Italienisch] - 1 week
116.Course: Intensive Course [Italienisch] - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
---
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
We had an excellent teacher who was very easy to understand and who made the lessons very lively.
Negative aspects
Some rooms are tiny and cannot be ventilated through windows from outside.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
The excursion offered by the school to 3 offshore islands, including Stromboli
Other comments
All staff are very friendly and approachable and some also speak German
City/place
The proximity to the sea and the fine sandy city beach are super
Quality of teaching / language progress
We were lucky to be only two in the intensive course, so there was a lot of (speaking) time for each person.
3. Oct. 2022
17. Monika (80 years)
117.Course: Standard Course - 1 week
117.Course: Standard Course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Very approachable class, loosely delivered lessons, good and required participation, good supporting material, open to all questions.
Negative aspects
The air in the classrooms was tiring at times, but still bearable.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
The gatherings in the evenings, with discussions, could have been better organized, the agreed meeting points were not found (lack of location knowledge).
Other comments
The overall assessment is positive and will remain in good memories.
City/place
An attractive place, a repeated stay would be desirable.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Recommendable, very well constructed.
3. Oct. 2022
18. Maren (42 years)
118.Course: Standard Course - 1 week
118.Course: Standard Course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
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Detailed review
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26. Sep. 2022
19. Eva (67 years)
119.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
119.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Admirably dedicated teachers!
City/place
Wonderful, beautiful city. Not so "touristy"
Quality of teaching / language progress
It was sometimes difficult to understand, because most of it was in Italian
26. Sep. 2022
20. Anette (70 years)
120.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 2 weeks
120.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
---
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
I had two different teachers who complemented each other.
City/place
Amazing city
30. May. 2022
21. Lisa (65 years) United States
121.Course: Combined Course (20 group + 5 private) [Italian] - 8 weeks
121.Course: Combined Course (20 group + 5 private) [Italian] - 8 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared Apartment
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Great teachers, friendly atmosphere.
Negative aspects
Not enough practice speaking Italian in some classes.
Accommodation
Must walk up a steep hill, wouldn’t be good for student with hip or knee problems.
11. Apr. 2022
22. Marianne Switzerland
122.Course: Club 50+ [Italian] - 2 weeks
122.Course: Club 50+ [Italian] - 2 weeks
Overall rating
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Detailed review
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22. Nov. 2021
23. Susanne (53 years)
123.Course: Two-to-One [Italian] (20 Lessons) - 1 week
123.Course: Two-to-One [Italian] (20 Lessons) - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
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Detailed review
City/place
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Quality of teaching / language progress
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Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Our teacher Simona was great. Very warm, amiable and incredibly committed. If we come back, we really want to have her as our insegnante again.
Guiseppe, who took care of the organization, was also very nice.
Other comments
The quality of the photocopies is not that good and some of them are difficult to read.
Quality of teaching / language progress
Perfect
17. Nov. 2020
24. Georg (49 years)
124.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
124.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
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Detailed review
City/place
School organization
---
Facilities (library, classrooms)
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Social activities
---
Quality of teaching / language progress
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Accommodation
Shared Apartment
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Very good, completely Italian colloquial language lessons, which could also integrate different levels of the students well.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Take an e-bike excursion via Giblmanna to Grattieri back to Cefalu. Demanding for older e-bikes, but a perfect panorama tour.
City/place
Perfect small Sicilian coastal town, with great historical heritage and the beautiful Madonie mountains just behind it.
Accommodation
Nice studio with a good floor plan. It could be a bit too lively for people who are sensitive to noise during the high season as there are restaurants in front of the house, otherwise great.
16. Nov. 2020
25. Agnes (45 years)
125.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
125.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
---
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
---
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared Apartment
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Because of Corona there were no activities, but tips for excursions, information on the current requirements, etc.
12. Oct. 2019
26. Gisela (78 years)
126.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
126.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
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Quality of teaching / language progress
Quality of teaching / language progress
- very committed group - lessons interesting and didactically planned - all in all a very enjoyable experience
16. Jul. 2019
27. Carina (31 years) Switzerland
127.Course: Standard Course - 6 weeks
127.Course: Standard Course - 6 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Homestay
28. May. 2019
28. Christiane (54 years) Germany
128.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
128.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
---
Accommodation
Other
8. Dec. 2018
29. D Marilyn (59 years) Canada
129.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
129.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Welcome routine; great teacher; teacher responds to student preferences; small classes; weekly social events.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Climb the rock.
Other comments
Cefalu is a tourist town - which has many restaurants and shops, but they do go on winter hours or close down at the beginning of November so just be aware. Despite this it’s still a great town!
28. Nov. 2018
30. Robert (75 years) Canada
130.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
130.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Excellent staff.
Other comments
Tours were very informative, well conducted. Italian well suited to level of students. I understood 90% of what was said in class and on tours. Great experience.
30. Oct. 2018
31. David (75 years) United Kingdom
131.Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
131.Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The relaxed, friendly attitude of both the students and staff. The social events organised by the school were also great.
30. Jul. 2018
32. Silke (46 years)
132.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
132.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Accommodation
Shared Apartment
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
My teacher Marco
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Mandralisca Library and Museum
Other comments
Very good lessons for deepening and revising knowledge
14. Jun. 2018
33. Helene (63 years) Italy
133.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 1 week
133.Course: Standard Course [Italian] - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
I really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the dedicated teacher. I learned a lot in just one week and will be back for another week later on this autumn.
3. Apr. 2018
34. Christine (73 years)
134.Course: Standard Course [Italienisch] - 3 weeks
134.Course: Standard Course [Italienisch] - 3 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Very good teaching and very good atmosphere.
29. May. 2017
35. Vera (47 years)
135.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
135.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Very clear organization, classes in line with the level of students, the quality of teaching.
22. May. 2017
36. Vitalii (33 years)
136.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
136.Course: Standard Course - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
21. Nov. 2016
37. Michael (64 years)
137.Course: Standard course + Accommodation - Low Season - 2 weeks
137.Course: Standard course + Accommodation - Low Season - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
My supportive and friendly teacher, all the staff, and the other students.
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Choose your season carefully. In November some things in Cefalu were closed. I did not mind but some might prefer to be there in September or October.
Other comments
This was excellent for me: a small but charming city with a fascinating history and beautiful monuments. The academy made good use of the location. I am a slow language learner but the teacher was tolerant and helpful.
27. Sep. 2016
38. Monika (63 years)
138.Course: Combi - 2 weeks
138.Course: Combi - 2 weeks
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Very friendly teachers, very good adaptation of teaching/forming groups with the same language level. The courses were very diversified.
Other comments
The offer of the school, to live in a shared apartment at the Villa Caterina with other students, was ideal for me. It might be nice to rent a vespa or so, since the villa is on a hillside.
3. Jul. 2016
39. Peter (57 years)
139.Course: Survival - 1 week
139.Course: Survival - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
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Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
Centrally located. A teacher who spoke clear Italian. Even as beginners, we understood much of what she taught. 3 hours x 3 days is enough if you stay for one week only. As the group was big it as was divided, much to our advantage as we were only 3 students in my group.
25. Jun. 2016
40. Henriette (67 years)
140.Course: Standard course - 1 week
140.Course: Standard course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress
Additional information
Positive aspects of school
The welcome on the first day and our great teacher
Insider tips about what future students should not miss
Boat trip to Stromboli
Other comments
A pity that there were not many students there when we were there, it was only me and my husband in the class.
23. Jun. 2016
41. Jan (70 years)
141.Course: Standard course - 1 week
141.Course: Standard course - 1 week
Overall rating
Value for money
Detailed review
City/place
School organization
Facilities (library, classrooms)
Social activities
Quality of teaching / language progress