TEACHING
METHOD
Our Teaching
method takes full account of modern didactics
and is oriented towards the "Foreign Language Concept of the
Council of Europe" and
the "Guidelines of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL)".
The Leonardo
da Vinci schools teach according to the Direct Method: from the first
day on, at all levels, only Italian will be spoken.
We
emphasize the spoken language and live language.
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.
The structure of the language and its practical application is very
important. Advanced courses also practice the written language.
Our teaching staff consists of young teams
of experienced language teachers, all of whom
studied at University and who have been specially
trained in teaching Italian to foreigners.
Most
of the teaching material has been developed by
our schools and is excellently suited to the needs and
requirements of the students. Thanks to a permanent
work group the didactic material is continuously
updated and adapted to the newest research on
teaching languages to foreigners.
But
learning Italian does not consist, for us
at the Leonardo da Vinci schools, in just teaching grammar and vocabulary.
We want to allow our students to gain insight
into the Italian way of living and thinking. That is why we offer,
in addition to the language courses, a whole range of italian
culture extracurricular activities for our students.
FIRST
SCHOOL DAY
On
the first school day there is an entry test (written
and oral), testing the student's knowledge of
the Italian language.
Beginners
will join a pilot course which is aimed to
divide complete beginners
from students with
a little knowledge
of the Italian language.
LEVELS
OF ABILITY
Our
schools offer courses on 6 monthly ability levels
(subdivided on 12 ability levels of two weeks,
each), following the Assessment Grid of the European
Language Portfolio (ELP), based on the assessment
grid of Schneider/North:
 |
I
Beginners |
II
Basic |
III
Intermediate |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
ELP |
A1 |
A2 |
B1 |
S/N |
N1 |
N2 |
N3 |
N4 |
N5 |
N6 |
Each
level corresponds to a 4 week standard
language course. |
 |
IV
Advanced |
V
Proficient |
VI
Diploma |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
2
weeks |
ELP |
B2 |
C1 |
C2 |
S/N |
N7 |
N8 |
N9 |
N10 |
Each
level corresponds to a 4 week standard
language course. |
ELP
= European Language Portfolio
S/N = Language ability scale according to Günther
Schneider and Brian North
DIDACTIC PROGRAM
(according
to the level)
- Intensive
grammar study
- Phonetics Development
of vocabulary
- Syntax
and application
- Listening
and comprehension
- Dialogue
and communication
- Situation
method Idiomatic and phraseology
- Written
and oral comprehension
- Lecture
and analysis
- Live
guided discussion and synthesis
- Free
conversation
NOTA
BENE
Teaching
Material: Text
books and supplies are provided by the
school and is already included in the price
of the course. You are expected to bring
your own dictionary.
Minimum Admission
Age: The minimum age for participants is 16.
Course
Dates: In our calendar we specify the course
dates, the public holidays and the days off for group language
courses and courses in Italian culture.
Certificate of
Attendance: On request, all students receive
a Certificate of Attendance.
Lessons: The
duration of each lesson is 45 minutes.
^top
DIPLOMAS
AND EXAMS
Our
teachers will be checking on your progress continuously
during your course and will discuss with you
any particular difficulties which arise in the
teaching program. At the end of each course and
each level, your progress will be assessed with
a written test.
Your
studies at the Leonardo da Vinci schools can
be concluded with the following diplomas and
examinations:
"Scuola
Leonardo da Vinci" Certificates
Thanks
to our international success many institutions
and companies in your country recognize "Leonardo
da Vinci" certificates and diplomas. They
are valid proof of your knowledge and communicative
abilities in the Italian language.
- Certificato
di Frequenza: Certificate
of attendance at the end of the course;
- Certificato
di Conoscenza: At
the end of the 3rd level (every month);
- Diploma
di Lingua Italiana: At the end of the
5th level (every month).
"Firenze" Language
Diplomas of the Accademia Italiana di Lingua
(AIL)
The
Accademia Italiana di Lingua (AIL) is the international
association of schools, institutions and experts
in the field of teaching Italian as a foreign
language. The members of the association guarantee
and promote the high quality of Italian language
teaching.
AIL organizes the following Diploma "Firenze" language examinations:
- DELI - A2
Diploma Elementare di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" - AIL, basic level:
At the end of the 1st ability level; One month preparation for beginners; exams 4 times a year.
Ability level according to the assessment scale: elp: A2 - s/n: N3)*.
- DILI - B1
Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Italiana "Firenze" - AIL, intermediate level:
At the end of the 3rd ability level; Three months preparation for beginners; exams 4 times a year.
Ability level according to the assessment scale: elp: B1 - s/n: N6)*.
- DILC - B1
Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Italiana Commerciale "Firenze" - AIL, intermediate level:
At the end of the 3rd ability level; Three months preparation for beginners; exams 4 times a year.
Ability level according to the assessment scale: elp: B1 - s/n: N6)*.
- DILI - B2
Diploma Intermedio di Lingua Straniera "Firenze" - AIL, intermediate level:
At the end of the 4th ability level; Four months preparation for beginners; exams 4 times a year.
Ability level according to the assessment scale: elp: B2 - s/n: N8)*.
- DALI - C1
Diploma Avanzato di Lingua Italiana "Firenze"- AIL, advanced level:
At the end of the 6th ability level; Six months preparation for beginners; exams twice a year.
Ability level according to the assessment scale: elp: C1 - s/n: N9)*.
- DALC - C1
Diploma Avanzato di Lingua Italiana Commerciale "Firenze" - AIL, Business language, advanced level:
At the end of the 6th ability level. Six months preparation for beginners, including business and commerce course; exams twice a year.
Ability level according to the assessment scale: elp: C1 - s/n: N10)*.
*)
Levels according to European Language Portfolio
(elp) and Schneider/North (s/n); see ability
levels.
Other
Language Diplomas:
Our
language schools organise preparation courses
for the following language diplomas:
- CELI
- Perugia;
- CILS
- Siena;
- Certificato
in Italiano come L2 - Rome.
Detailed
information upon request.
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