Il Sasso

The Italian language school "Il Sasso" is located in Montepulciano, a beautiful, interesting and welcoming Renaissance town, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves in the province of Siena (Southern Tuscany). "Il Sasso" has offered Italian language courses since 1983 and the students are of all ages and all nationalities. "Il Sasso" was officially recognised by the Ministry of Education in January 2003. During the lessons, which take place in small groups (max. 9 students per group), communication is of prime importance and the students are particularly encouraged to speak the language. All the teachers are graduates and have long experience in adult education. The teaching methods are up-to-date, and the fine quality of the teaching is guaranteed. Another characteristic of the school is the personal atmosphere and the helpfulness of the staff both during and outside the lessons. The students can feel completely at ease. The relaxed atmosphere, the carefully chosen accommodation, consideration for the personal needs of each participant, a varied cultural programme, the personal commitment of the teachers and, not least, the ready hospitality of the city, make a stay in Montepulciano much more than just a period of study abroad. The great number of students who come back each year is the best proof of this.

For a great many reasons, Montepulciano is an ideal place in order to learn the Italian language. It is located on the top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves with one of those views which has made Tuscany famous the world over. The peace and quiet are ideal for a study holiday far from bustling town centres. The town’s artistic wealth is also a major point of interest: the old town centre is full of churches and “palazzi” which testify to Italy’s architectural history, in particular where the mediaeval and Renaissance periods are concerned. However, the area also boasts a great many Etruscan and Roman remains, Baroque churches and a miniature copy of La Scala theatre in Milan, called Poliziano. Montepulciano, although a small historic town, is different from many others in that it is very active and lively, a place where the locals still stop to chat in bars or markets and have a great interest in foreign visitors. This makes it an ideal place for learning Italian “on the street”, an essential part of any language –learning experience. Montepulciano’s cultural life is also very varied. The International Art Workshop, which takes place at the end of July and beginning of August attracts music-lovers from all over the world. The local town festival ends on the last Sunday of August with the “Bravio delle Botti”, a traditional competition of strength and skill fought out between the town’s various areas. On occasions such as these, the town comes to life and it is not uncommon to come across improvised concerts on street corners or to become involved in banquets organised by the town’s various parishes in the town square which give you the opportunity of tasting local gastronomic specialities. There is also a series of concerts organised by the Accademia Renana – whose overseas headquarters is based in Montepulciano – an event further enriches Montepulciano’s summer months. The thing that makes Montepulciano unique in Tuscany and indeed in the world, however, is its excellent Vino Nobile, a fine, quality wine whose producers have become real ambassadors of Tuscany throughout the world.

Usually, our courses last two weeks but it is also possible to study for one week only or for longer periods. Students who already speak some Italian will do a test on the first course date and can enter in our courses on every Monday. This option is not possible for beginners, who can only start on fixed dates (every two weeks on Monday, starting dates for 2010: 18th January, 1st February, 15th February, 1st March, 15th March, 29th March, 12th April, 26th April, 10th May, 24th May, 7th June, 21st June, 5th July, 19th July, 2nd August, 16th August, 30th August, 13th September, 27th September, 11th October, 25th October, 8th November, 22nd November, 6th December 2010). Groups (maximum of 9 students) are divided into the following levels: beginners, elementary, intermediate I and II, advanced I and II and conversation. If there isn’t a suitable group for an individual student, the school offers two hours of private lessons per day in compensation. In this case the price is the same. Thanks to this we can guarantee the same quality and the same attention for the whole year, rather than inserting a student into a group whose level is too high or too low. We are convinced that a good welcome is fundamental if the rest of the course is to go well and so on the Sunday before the course begins (every 2 weeks, see starting days) we welcome students at the school and then accompany them to their accommodation, answer any questions and give useful information. In the evening all students are invited for an aperitif at the school, where, over a good glass of red wine, they can get to know the teachers and receive all necessary information about their stay. Thanks to this meeting before the course starts, the first lessons will get off to a flying start. At the end of the course, students receive a certificate of attendance with an indication as to their level and their linguistic competence. There are no lessons on the following dates which are public holidays in Italy: 6th January (Epiphany), Easter Monday, 25th April, 1st May, 2nd June, 15th August, 1st November, 8th December.

Since our students will be in Montepulciano for at least a week, the accommodation is very important. One can choose between flats for one or two people (with only one bedroom), single or double rooms in a flat with other students (if you come with your friends we also have flats sleeping 5 or 6 people) and rooms in family houses with breakfast or half-board. There is no accommodation catalogue but if you let us know your preferences we will do everything possible to accommodate your needs. Our apartments are all different but they have a series of characteristics in common: they are all in the old own centre, at a maximum 10 minutes walk from the school, each has a kitchen or cooking area, and bathroom, they are fully furnished and towels and bed linen are provided. Beds are changed on a weekly basis. Any costs for heating (around € 5,00 a day per person) are not included in the price and should be paid according to usage. Our accomodation charges for 2010: Apartment for one person: € 36,00 per day Apartment for 2 people (with one bedroom): € 25,00 per person and day Apartment for more than two people: prices on request Single room in shared apartment: € 27,00 per day Double room in shared apartment: € 21,00 per person and day Room in family home with breakfast: € 28,00 per person and day Room in family home with half-board: € 37,00 per person and day

Even if you come to Montepulciano to learn Italian, you will probably not want to pass all your time doing exercises and reading grammar books! It is possible to spend pleasant afternoons in the country or enrich your knowledge of Montepulciano and its surrounding areas. If this is your intention, you may like to take part in our cultural programme (see above). All these activities are, of course, in Italian. The excursions are optional and not included in the price of courses. If you want to organise your own free time, Montpulciano and its surrounding areas have a lot to offer, including the towns of Chiusi and Cortona, famous for their Etruscan origins, the monasteries of Saint Antimo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore, mediaeval towns such as Cetona and Città delle Pieve and Pienza, known as the “Pearl of the Renaissance”. For nature lovers, there are hundreds of scenic walking routes in the Val d’Orcia or on Monte Amiata. In Montepulciano there are tennis courts, dance schools and a gym. In Chianciano (8km away and on a bus route) there is a swimming pool. We also recommend a visit to the area’s large number of spa towns, such as Bagno Vignoni, Bagni di S. Filippo and San Casciano dei Bagni (reachable only by car). Thanks to its privileged position near to motorways and main line train stations, Montepulciano is also the ideal point for excursions to Central Italy’s most famous historic and cultural centres: Siena, Arezzo, Perugia and Assisi are about 50 km away, while from the nearby Chiusi/Chianciano Terme railway station, you can get to Rome and Florence in little more than an hour.