Learn Italian in Tuscany

Learning Italian in Tuscany: Language schools in Tuscany or Italian private lessons?

Every year many people come to Tuscany on vacation or to learn Italian. In Tuscany there are many language schools where it is possible to learn to speak Italian, and many holiday resorts organise language courses with private tutors for their guests.

It is widely believed that the variety of Italian spoken in Tuscany is “true Italian”. Actually, there is no such thing as “true Italian”, but rather many different regional varieties of Italian. The Italian language derives from the dialect of Tuscany and therefore, standard Italian grammar (i.e. TV Italian) is usually easier to pick up in Tuscany rather than in other regions where the local dialects have a stronger influence on the structure of the language.

Many words used in Tuscan dialects can be found in dictionaries of Italian as obsolete terms. This means that even most dialectal words which you could happen to learn in Tuscany are indeed acceptable as Italian words, even though some of them wouldn’t probably be understood in other regions.

Generally, it is true that the Italian spoken in Tuscany in everyday conversation is understood everywhere in the peninsula, whereas this is not always true for other regional varieties. Regardless of where you decide to study Italian, you will be able to find professional teachers and excellent schools capable of providing a stimulating and lively environment in which you can learn to understand and speak Italian.

Private lessons of Italian are another option. There are many good private teachers or tutors who have been trained to teach in one-to-one language situations and who can help you to reach a good level of Italian.

Studying Italian in a language school is ideal if you are a sociable person who wants to meet other people and who is ready to follow a fixed schedule and to work hard in a lively environment.

Hiring a private tutor is the right choice if you want to increase the speaking time and if you need a program which is specifically designed for your needs and goals. You should take private lessons of Italian if you need to develop a particular skill (reading, writing, listening, speaking) or a particular type of Italian (Business Italian, Italian for Tourism, Italian for Special Purposes ISP, etc.), or if you want an intensive course or a full-immersion course of Italian.

But where should I study Italian in Tuscany?

There are many language schools in Tuscany which offer excellent programs at competitive prices. You should choose according to the quality of the schools and the services offered, but, since you can find good Italian courses everywhere, you should also choose according to the area in which the school is located.

Most people choose language schools in Florence because of the beautiful and lively environment the city offers. Other people choose Lucca or Pisa because they are lovely towns, close to the sea, and with an excellent University. Other people choose Siena, because the Italian spoken in the city is said to be the closest variety to standard Italian.

The truth is that Siena has excellent language schools and even a University for Foreign Students which, besides offering high-quality courses of Italian to foreign students coming from all over the world, trains and certifies scholars and teachers who will then teach in the best institutions. The University for Foreigners of Siena tests teachers to verify their professionalism with the certificate called DITALS (Didactics of Italian as a Foreign Language).

Siena could therefore be the perfect choice if you want to learn Italian in Tuscany and enjoy the beautiful Tuscan sun.

What you can do if you want to learn Italian…

You can start checking our list of schools of Italian in various cities and towns in Tuscany and contact them to see what they can offer you.

You can also contact us to ask for advice. We will be happy to help you choose the best Italian language school, which you can attend while on holiday at Casina di Rosa, vacation rental in Tuscany, or while staying in an agriturismo (holiday farm) or self-catering accommodation in Tuscany.

You can also take private one-to-one Italian lessons while staying at Casina di Rosa. If you want to spend an unforgettable holiday at Casina di Rosa and take lessons of Italian, write to info@casinadirosa.it.

Banner photo by o bbiond.