Reviews of Il Sasso, Montepulciano, Italy

Total number of reviews: 44

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 44 reviews of former students of Il Sasso

Accommodation
Overall rating Il Sasso, Montepulciano, Italy	4.7
City	4.6
Organisation	4.8
Facilities	4.1
Social activities	4.1
Quality of teaching	4.8
Value for money	4.6
Homestay	4.5
Shared Flat (apartment)	4.2
Other	---

Back to profile of Il Sasso, Montepulciano

Individual Reviews

Il Sasso

11. Oct. 2024

1. Robyn (72 years) Australia
101.Course: Group Course - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money
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Detailed review

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Homestay

Other comments

The building is historic and beautiful.

Quality of teaching / language progress

My teachers were great and very encouraging.

Accommodation

Fiorella is very welcoming, likes to chat and is very forgiving of my emerging Italian language. She is also a fantastic cook.

4. Oct. 2024

2. Jay (34 years) United States
102.Course: Group Course - 1 week

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Value for money

Detailed review

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Sara and Gaia were both incredible teachers. In addition, I loved the building and classrooms and the students were mature, intelligent, and committed to learning. All in all, I give the school very high marks.

Negative aspects

None.

City/place

I liked Montepulciano; although my wife was bored. Admittedly, we were there off-season and she likes to kayak and hike.

Quality of teaching / language progress

I loved my class. It was an extraordinary group of mature students that were smart, funny and we were able to form a strong bond in just one week.

18. Sep. 2024

3. Martina (64 years)

103.Course: Group Course [Italienisch] - 2 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Small classes, good teachers.

Negative aspects

You have to pay extra for the textbook; the activities on offer were quite expensive

City/place

The sights are manageable, many small shops and restaurants, still a lot of tourists at the beginning of September; accommodation is therefore expensive, good starting point for excursions. However, only if you have a car available. Difficult car park situation in the summer season. No access to the old town, luggage transport therefore difficult if accommodation is in the centre.

22. Aug. 2024

4. Cristina (60 years)

104.Course: Group 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

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

Location, rooms, air conditioning, teaching positive

Negative aspects

Book had to be paid for separately. Lessons for 2 people were cut by 1 hour, no drinking water in classrooms, leisure activities very expensive!

City/place

Worth seeing! Beautiful town in beautiful surroundings. A little too touristy. Relatively expensive! I think free parking is good! Tourist information very competent and helpful.

Quality of teaching / language progress

It was good - competent, friendly teachers

Accommodation

Location was great! Food ok. Hospitality was so-so. Little interest in communication. TV was usually on during meals. Space in the fridge, advice on the use of tap water, multiple use of the washing machine would have been helpful given the temperatures.

24. Jun. 2024

5. Klaus (61 years)

105.Course: Standard Course - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

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Quality of teaching / language progress

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Other

Positive aspects of school

Everything was fine, very nice people

Negative aspects

Occasionally the weather, otherwise everything is fine

City/place

Very beautiful

Quality of teaching / language progress

It was flawless

Accommodation

This one was wonderful, maybe a little more storage space for the robe

24. Jun. 2024

6. Veronika

106.Course: Private Course [Italienisch] - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Well organised. Diligent and patient teachers. They take their time and respond to questions. Even though it was my first language course, I can't imagine it being any better. Thanks to the great team!

Other comments

Thank you to the great team

Quality of teaching / language progress

Perfect

3. Jun. 2024

7. Helma (72 years)

107.Course: Standard Course - 4 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

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Quality of teaching / language progress

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Other

Positive aspects of school

In addition to the above assessment, the friendliness of the school management, administrative staff and teaching staff should also be mentioned.

Negative aspects

Classrooms may be too small for larger groups.

City/place

Architecturally beautiful, but too touristy in the sense that all the stores in the Centro storico were for tourists. Relatively high price level.

Quality of teaching / language progress

Very helpful for intensive communication

Accommodation

Bed linen changed only once in four weeks; kitchenette quite dingy as poorly cleaned; cooking utensils and crockery took some getting used to; unhygienic bath mats on the floor in the bathroom. The bathroom facilities were relatively new and the shower also worked. No problem with the hot water.

27. May. 2024

8. Georgia (69 years) United States
108.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

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

The teachers and staff are wonderful.

Accommodation

Wonderful host Fiorella. She is simply the best!

4. Mar. 2024

9. Ian (62 years) Italy
109.Course: Group Course - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

The teachers enthusiasm was great.

Negative aspects

We were in a very small room and one of the students had a dog which I didn’t appreciate!

17. Aug. 2023

10. Alison (52 years) United Kingdom
110.Course: Family Course mother and daughter - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

---

Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Excellent teachers, friendly and put you at ease. My daughter loved her teachers.

Negative aspects

I didn’t do excursion so can’t comment on it.

City/place

Too many tourists to make it feel authentic

18. Jul. 2023

11. Sabina (50 years)

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

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

Nice atmosphere

Negative aspects

None

City/place

It is difficult to explore the surrounding towns without a car.

30. May. 2023

12. Carmel (67 years) Australia
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

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

The overall vibe - all the support staff and teachers were very helpful and friendly. The teaching was exceptional - I learned so much in only two weeks, thanks to the three teachers I had (two in the group classes and one for private lessons. They were very knowledgeable about the subject matter and gave clear instructions and explanations.

Negative aspects

The weather was unseasonably cold for mid May so the classrooms were freezing. This made it difficult to concentrate. It would’ve helped to have had some form of heating. More effort needed to be made to keep the toilets clean - sometimes there was no toilet paper or soap and the rubbish bins were full to overflowing.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

The textbook which one is required to buy is quite heavy, which is a consideration for those travelling from afar (weight limits for plane travel).

Other comments

Sincere thanks to all the staff.

City/place

At my age, nightlife is not relevant to my needs. Montepulciano is quite difficult to reach without a car because there are not many buses from the train station at Chiusi. The weather when I was there was completely atypical - a week of rain and low temperatures so my low rating is not indicative of what it would normally be.

Quality of teaching / language progress

Excellent in all respects.

Accommodation

Fiorella could not have been nicer. She went out of her way to help in any way she could with any unexpected problems I experienced (ie travel arrangements etc). It really was a Home away from Home.

29. May. 2023

13. Kristine (74 years) Australia
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

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

Excellent teachers!

Negative aspects

I found it a little hard to hear in our classroom at times. I do have a slight hearing loss but the room had an echo.

City/place

A beautiful city to visit. A lot of tourists visiting. The weather was unseasonal during the first week of our visit, very cold & raining. We were not prepared for this. Bus timetables were hard to find before my visit when trying to plan for the visit. Suggest maybe include accurate bus timetable from Chiusi C/T to Montepulciano in the class booking information. Quite a few vehicles in Centro Storico, so you needed to take care.

29. Mar. 2022

14. Maria (56 years) Italy
114.Course: Combi Course (20 group + 10 individual) - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money
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Detailed review

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Homestay

Positive aspects of school

The teachers are great and the location is fantastic

City/place

Excellent!

Accommodation

Fiorella is a very good host, we talked a lot and she is very, very nice.

25. Oct. 2021

15. Elina (67 years) Finland
115.Course: Group + 1 (20 group+ 5 individual) [Italia] - 2 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

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Quality of teaching / language progress

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Other

Positive aspects of school

I made tremendous progress in private lessons

28. Sep. 2020

16. Dagmar (62 years)

116.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

Positive aspects of school

Very committed teachers, good textbook, 2 teachers per day each, thus varied lessons!

Negative aspects

Toilets no disinfectant, trash bins overflowing. Window frames totally rotten, when opened, chunks fall off!

City/place

Great old town, history, restaurants! Narrow streets are dark. Hotel or room rarely with balconies!

Quality of teaching / language progress

Thanks to Corona there were only two of us and that was great and intense! 2nd week for three!

29. Aug. 2019

17. Yannick (39 years) France
117.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

Homestay

City/place

Beautiful hilltop village

Quality of teaching / language progress

I liked the small size of the classes (three students the first week, five students the second week), the fact that there were not just teenage students but also older adults from all over the world. The teachers are very passionate and give great personal attention. Having two different teachers each day is a very good concept. The course material could yet be refreshed and there could be more use of videos and role plays in class. Some excursions/activities were a bit on the expensive side. A good enriching experience overall!

Accommodation

Excellent homestay with a friendly local host family. It's the best way to keep learning outside of class.

21. May. 2018

18. Anna (44 years)

118.Course: Standard course [Итальянский] - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

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Facilities (library, classrooms)

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Quality of teaching / language progress

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Other

Positive aspects of school

The teachers and the school staff are very nice and professional.

Other comments

We were very lucky with the accommodation - an apartment for two was in excellent condition, our additional wishes were taken into account

5. Jun. 2017

19. Patricia (38 years)

119.Course: Standard course - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Accommodation

Other

Positive aspects of school

Good teachers. Small groups.

Other comments

Great school!

12. Jun. 2016

20. Michael (64 years) Australia
120.Course: Standard course - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Small classes. Cinzia excellent grammar teacher.

15. Dec. 2015

21. Mark (65 years)
121.Course: Standard course - 3 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

Very professional teaching staff. Skillful at identifying strengths/weaknesses and developing appropriate teaching strategies.

Other comments

Particularly in off-season, students should be advised up-front not to arrive on a Sunday, as connections to the nearest train station (Chiusi) become problematic.

3. Nov. 2015

22. Gail (62 years) Australia
122.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

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

The teachers, their approach to teaching and learning and their positive attitudes.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Some students didn't have wifi in their accommodation. Make sure you request it when applying.

Other comments

It was a most positive experience, academically, socially and culturally. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this school.

22. Aug. 2015

23. Luz (58 years)

123.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

Positive aspects of school

The teachers, the building and its location in the city.

Other comments

It is a familiar school, the number of students per class allows a very direct and personal teaching method.

10. Jun. 2013

24. Sue (57 years) United Kingdom
124.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

Positive aspects of school

The staff were excellent, friendly but very efficient.

10. Jun. 2013

25. Paul (63 years) United Kingdom
125.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

Accommodation

Homestay Executive

Positive aspects of school

The staff, everybody was really helpful and had a genuine interest in the students

Other comments

I haven't been to school for years and for me it was a really enjoyable experience. Definitely will be going back

11. Sep. 2012

26. Ute

126.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

Accommodation

Other

Positive aspects of school

The great teaching staff and the well thought out organisation of the classes

19. Aug. 2012

27. Herman (58 years) Netherlands
127.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

Homestay Executive

Positive aspects of school

The small classes and the quality of teaching. The teachers were very helpfull.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

The value for money. You learn a lot in two weeks.

14. Aug. 2012

28. Christian (55 years)

128.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

Positive aspects of school

The location of the school in the city centre, and in a lively district. Quality teaching Quality of premises Mix of nationalities Adjustment to teaching level

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

The coffee poliziano inbetween lessons

26. Sep. 2011

29. Maïdo (70 years)

129.Course: Standard course - 2 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money
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Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

Quality of teaching / language progress

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

The quality of teachers and their kindness

24. Jul. 2011

30. Lars G (64 years) Sweden
130.Course: Standard Italian Course - 1 week

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Friendliness. Evaluation of students and quality.

28. Jul. 2010

31. Gerhard (52 years)

131.Course: Standard course - 2 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Positive aspects of school

Excellent support by School organization .Very well trained teachers with good sensitivity to the needs of class.I was living in a spacious, clean and very well equipped apartment at a reasonable price in the middle of the city.

23. Nov. 2009

32. Nancy (31 years)

132.Course: 2 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money
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Detailed review

City/place

School organization

Facilities (library, classrooms)

Social activities

Quality of teaching / language progress

Accommodation

Homestay

Positive aspects of school

Very international

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Visit the wine cellar

Other comments

A car makes it easier to explore the surroundings. It's better in the summer; the classes may be bigger but there is more action during the afternoon.

20. Sep. 2009

33. Suzanne (61 years) United Kingdom
133.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

Positive aspects of school

Being in the class with other students learning the language

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Chiusi Chiusi Etruscan Museum and Museum.

Other comments

We had a wonderful time. We enjoyed our lessons and being at the school very much. We loved Montepulciano and all the things we did such as visiting other hill top towns, going to Saint Antimo, exploring Chiusi and the Etruscan remains and all the delicious food, cheese and wine. We had an unforgetable experience and would highly recommend this to anyone.

22. Jun. 2009

34. Elvira (33 years)

134.Course: Standard course - 2 weeks

Overall rating

Value for money

Detailed review

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Facilities (library, classrooms)

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Quality of teaching / language progress

Accommodation

Other

Positive aspects of school

It was perfect, nice people, good teachers

25. May. 2009

35. Kenneth (58 years)
135.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

Positive aspects of school

Teachers & staff are very helpful

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

Plan to spend most of your time studying

2. Apr. 2008

36. Brigitte (53 years)

136.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

Positive aspects of school

Nice atmosphere and quality of teachers

Other comments

It is unfortunate that teaching booklets are paying

1. Nov. 2007

37. Marilyn (68 years)
137.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

Accommodation

Other

Positive aspects of school

My teacher Roberta for private lessons, also everything was extremey well organized, especially considering the director had no real idea before the first day's testing regarding the level of the students

Insider tips about what future students should not miss

I started with the intensive, 6 hours a day, which I eventually found too much, despite how inviting it sounds, it's hard to absorb that much at one time.

Other comments

I really loved the school & would only suggest more excursions to some of the small villages around that area or even a trip to the termi at Rapolano or Bagno Vignoni. I was there in Oct. & perhaps the enrollment at that time was too low for such trips.

12. Sep. 2007

38. Petra (46 years)

138.Course: Private lessons - 1 week