Italian school in Rome: Scuola Leonardo da Vinci

Insider tips about what future students should not miss: I'd highly recommend the late afternoon talk/visits, even though if you have morning classes it may seem inconvenient to return for them at 5.30pm (one advantage of afternoon classes is that they finish at 5.15, just in time for the extra events.)

Other comments: I was initially placed in an afternoon class but it was easy to change to a morning for my 2nd week. The school has created its own textbooks which centre on Rome & provide a lot of interesting information on Roman legends, history etc while teaching grammar in an entertaining way. I would have preferred each session to be split between 2 teachers as happens in some other language schools, since if you had a boring teacher who just plugged the same thing mindlessly for 3 hours, there wasn't much you could do about it. Students voted with their feet: after the 2nd afternoon was excruciatingly boring, the class dropped from 10 to 5 for the rest of the week. Obviously there is an element of luck in your teacher allocation - my 2nd one was enthusiastic and never boring. Classrooms were rather bare and just had hard chairs, no posters, though some did have prints of Italy on the walls. No social space, just a coffee machine in the corridor. Good WiFi, and a caretaker kept the place spotlessly clean. A plus point: lunchtime revision classes were offered at each level to make up for classes lost when the school was closed on a public holiday.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss: Try not to miss the free extra sessions on culture or grammar provided by the school if & when available. It would be a good idea for the student to attend the intensive courses and also live with an Italian family so that he/she is able to communicate in Italian outside of class as well.

Other comments: The classes were conducted professionally using highly effective language immersion techniques. I look forward to returning and continuing my Italian language studies with Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci when the opportunity permits.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss: Bring your own notebook(s). The school does not provide them (only a learning book). WiFi at school is spotty and (too) slow.

Other comments: The school is too lenient on people who are late in class and (even) eat/drink in class. A much more stricter policy on those issues should be implemented (distracts from class). And cutting the line at the coffee machine (why is there only one?) is unacceptable (even when one is from France). On occasion, somebody from the office broke into class and did a roll-call. In my view, bizzare (what is the purpose?) and a significant distraction. It interrupts class and the teacher and students need time afterwards to get back into the subject. Communication on aspects of the Dolce Vita program can be better. No notification was given beforehand that we would require to buy bus tickets (not all transportation was included) and when we went to Viterbo and made an artifact, we were not informed when these would arrive at school. Only after we asked questions ourselves, did we get answers (but never from the office...). And they did arrive, but only on the last day (just in time, yes).

Insider tips about what future students should not miss: Home accommodation is the best! You learn about the Roman people, culture and get to practise Italian with your host.

Insider tips about what future students should not miss: Make sure you participate in the activities planned through/by the school. The activities enhance the learning experience.

Other comments: The school director is very professional and helpful with school related issues. Do not hesitate to speak to him while you are attending the school.