Italian Courses in Bologna, Italy at ALCE
With a population of 400,00o, Bologna is a medium sized city steeped in history and culture. Surrounded by green hills, the town conceals countless artistic and architectural treasures in the shade of its towers and porticoes. It is one of the most amazing urban centers in existence and rarely are citizens as proud of their hometown as the Bolognese are.
The old town center is extensive, well- preserved and rich in memories of the many civilizations that have lived here over the ages. Its urban structure was defined by the Romans. The medieval street system, that extends from the city center like the spokes of a wheel, was laid down by the Longobards. Numerous convents bear witness to the bygone power of the Popes and the impressive Jewish ghetto, still intact today, is also movingly reminiscent.
Another fine feature of the town are its picturesque towers. In the past there were over 200 of these, each demonstrating the power of the important families who built them. Two of the finest examples, the Asinelli Tower and the unfinished Garisenda Tower, have now become a symbol of the town.
But what really distinguishes Bologna’s urban character are its porticoes. No other city in the world can boast a monumental procession of arcades that stretches, almost without interruption, for over twenty miles.
Bologna is also an important gastronomic center. Its inhabitants regard preparing and savoring food, not as a mere necessity, but as a refined art where new and classic flavors are blended with skill and passion.
ALCE Bologna – Italian Courses in Bologna, Italy
ALCE Bologna was established in 1999, with the simple goal of providing students with a comprehensive educational and cultural experience, within a friendly and encouraging environment. Since then, they welcome students from all over the world each year. Their wide range of Italian courses is designed to meet their every need.
ALCE is a traditional institution where you will be treated as an individual, and where teachers and staff respect your commitment to your education and take pride in your achievements.
ALCE is ideally located in Bologna city center, at the entrance of the city walls. Markets, shops, bars, restaurants can be found just outside the school. The Medieval historic area is just 6 blocks away and the beautiful city park “Giardini Margherita” is just a few steps away. Main bus routes that go to the most important sites in town stop right outside the school.
ALCE Bologna is a member of IALC (International Association of Language Centers) which inspects it’s school members on a regular basis guaranteeing the quality of the programs offered. They are also an official recognized CILS, CELI, AIL, and CERT.IT examination center.
Please click on the following tabs for more information:
Italian Courses in Bologna
Italian Course Options – Students may choose any of the course options listed below. Important Notes: Minimum enrollment: one week (except on special programs as indicated below, where minimum enrollment is 2 weeks). Minimum enrollment age is 17. Each lesson is 60 minutes long. All prices include: school registration fee, training materials, initial level assessment test, regular evaluation testing and progress report (every two weeks), 2 workshops per week (3 hours), 2-3 extra curricular activities accompanied by a teacher each week (informal conversation sessions outside the school), and certificate of completion.
Standard Italian Course – 20 + 3 Italian group lessons per week (each lesson=60 minutes), maximum of 8 students per class (3 to 5 average). All levels from Beginner to Advanced. Course consists of 20 Italian lessons per week (4 lessons per day from Monday to Friday), plus 3 hours of afternoon workshops (2 each week: 1 grammar and 1 conversation/phonetics workshop). Class schedule: from 9:00 am to 1:15 pm from Monday to Friday, and workshops from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday. Students are strongly encouraged to attend workshops, but they are optional.
Intensive Italian Course – 30 + 3 Italian lessons per week (each lesson=60 minutes), maximum of 8 students per class (3 to 5 average) in the morning, mini-group in the afternoon. All levels from Beginner to Advanced. Course consists of the Standard Italian course (20 group lessons per week) PLUS 10 additional mini-group lessons in the afternoon each week. Class schedule: from 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Important: for the mini-group portion of the training, if a group of at least 2 students at the same linguistic level cannot be formed, then the student will be assigned to private classes (“1 to 1”) with the number of lessons reduced by half. In this case, the course would have 5 private lessons per week instead of 10 mini-group lessons.
Combination Italian Course – 20+5 Lessons: 20 Italian group lessons per week (each lesson=60 minutes), maximum of 8 students per class (3 to 5 average) PLUS 5 Private Italian lessons per week. All levels from Beginner to Advanced. Course consists of 20 Italian group lessons per week (4 lessons per day from Monday to Friday), plus 5 private lessons per week (1 hour each day). Class schedule: from 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM and 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM from Monday to Friday (private lessons schedule is subject to change).
One-to-One Italian Courses – 10, 20 or 30 Italian private lessons per week (each lesson=60 minutes). All levels from Beginner to Advanced are offered year round. These courses are intended for students who have limited time to fulfill their needs so that they can improve their language level quickly. One-to-One Italian courses may start any Monday of the year. Special Professional One-to-One courses tailored to a student’s profession are also available. Please contact us for details and pricing.
Italian Courses in Bologna – Prices 2020:
(All programs: NO ADDITIONAL APPLICATION FEE. A non-refundable USD 100.00 deposit is required at the time of enrollment. Deposit will be subtracted from final program invoice. See Application Procedures.)
| Course | One week | Two weeks | Three weeks | Four weeks | Six weeks | Eight weeks | Twelve weeks | Extra weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Italian Course - 20 +3 lessons: | $365 | $589 | $766 | $942 | $1,404 | $1,732 | $2,461 | $213 |
| Intensive Italian Course - 30 lessons: | $547 | $930 | $1,276 | $1,623 | -- | -- | -- | $383 |
| Combination Italian Course (20+5 less/wk.): | $559 | $954 | $1,313 | $1,671 | --- | --- | --- | $395 |
| One-to-One Italian Course: | ||||||||
| 10 Lessons per week | $492 | $402 | ||||||
| 20 Lessons per week | $808 | $717 | ||||||
| 30 Lessons per week | $1,106 | $1,015 |
Important: all prices include school enrollment fee and books and materials for the duration of the course!
ALCE Bologna Starting dates and Holidays:
2020 Starting dates for Italian Courses in Bologna: Complete beginners MUST start on the following dates: 7 January / 3 February / 2 March / 6 April / 4 May / 1 June / 6 July / 3 August / 7 September / 5 October / 2 November / 7 December. ALL other levels may start ANY Monday.
Holidays 2020: The school will be closed on: 13 April, 1 May, 2 June, 12 August. School will be closed for Christmas Holidays from 21 December 2020 to 8 January 2021. Classes missed due to holidays are not made up.
Other Italian Courses available in Bologna:
45 Plus Master Class Italian Course: This program is specially designed for mature people who want to experience Italian language and culture together with other students of a similar age. Minimum enrollment age: 45 years of age (40+ upon request). Two week course which includes includes airport pick up from Bologna airport, a welcome drink, 20 Italian lessons per week and a wide range of cultural activities for 5 days a week, including Italian cuisine courses and wine testing sessions. It includes entrance fees to all museums, train tickets, dinner with a teacher, a half-day excursion and a full day trip.
45 Plus Italian Courses Starting Dates 2020: 4 May, 14 September.
45 Plus Italian Courses Prices 2020: 2 weeks: USD 1,027.00
Accommodations are not included in the price but are available upon request. Please click on the “Accommodations” tab above for information on available options and prices.
Master Class Sample Activity Schedule:
| Week One | Week Two | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | City orientation tour and Welcome Drink | Tour of the towers |
| Tuesday | Visit to S. Luca | Collezioni Comunali d’Arte painting exhibition |
| Wednesday | Cooking course | Visit to Ferrara City of the Renaissance |
| Thursday | Museum of the History of Bologna | Wine tasting |
| Friday | Free time for Shopping and Aperitivo | Farewell dinner |
| Saturday | Full Day Visit to Ravenna |
Italian Plus Courses:
Important: The following cultural components must be booked in conjunction with the Standard Italian course.
Italian Cuisine: This Italian ‘Plus’ Course combines the Standard Italian Course with 6 or 9 hours of cooking lessons (or a combination of cooking and wine tasting sessions). This unique add-on program will give you an even broader understanding of the Italian language at a deeper cultural level. Hands on cooking classes with our professional Chefs right in the heart of the Italian Food Valley: Emilia Romagna. Qualified chefs will help you prepare superb dishes, step by step. The basic techniques are learned over the stove and at the table and at the end of each session students get to taste exquisite combinations of food and wine. The whole course is then summarized in a cookbook for you to take away, which lists the techniques you have used and developed. Classes are held in our state-of-the-art fully equipped professional kitchen (with twelve individual workstations, a complete roster of utensils and appliances, and a magnificent view on the famous Bologna roofs).
Starting dates: See Italian Course Starting dates above.
Prices 2020:
6 hours per week : ADD USD 207.00 per week to Standard Italian course prices.
9 hours per week : ADD USD 304.00 per week to Standard Italian course prices.
Italian Wine Tasting: This Italian ‘Plus’ Course combines the Standard Italian Course with 6 or 9 hours of wine tasting sessions (can also be combined with cooking lessons). The wine tasting lessons are given by a professional Sommelier, who will take you on a tour designed to broaden your knowledge regarding one of Italy’s most typical and traditional products: wine. Not only will you learn the theory of wine but, above all, how to taste wine and how to pair it with various foods. The course may finish with a visit to a wine-cellar where you can learn about the various wine making processes. Some of the subjects covered in the course are: Wine making in Italy, producing regions and their differences, how does soil and weather influence wine, the wine tradition in Italy and its merge with modern production techniques, the sensory examination and evaluation of wine / tasting stages, terminology used to describe the range of perceived flavors, aromas and general characteristics of a wine. Classes are held in our state-of-the-art fully equipped wine tasting room.
Starting dates: See Italian Course Starting dates above.
Prices 2020:
6 hours per week : ADD USD 207.00 per week to Standard Italian course prices.
9 hours per week : ADD USD 304.00 per week to Standard Italian course prices.
Other Italian Courses offered in Bologna:
- Business Italian
- Italian for Law
- Teacher Preparation Courses
- Examination preparation courses (CILS, CELI – AIL -CERT.IT)
Please contact us for information and prices.
ALCE Bologna – Accommodations
ALCE guarantees a quality accommodation experience. They arrange, select and closely monitor all the accommodation options they offer. Accommodations are arranged starting from the Sunday before the course starts until the Saturday after the course ends.
The following accommodation options are available:
Host Family: All host families are carefully selected and inspected regularly. ALCE chooses only families who are friendly and able to provide good quality accommodation. Living in a host-family gives you a wonderful opportunity to learn and practice Italian and is also a great cultural experience that allows you interact daily with local people. Families are located a maximum of 30 minutes away from school either walking or 15/20 minutes via public transportation. Students have a private single room and share the common areas of the house with the family. A load of laundry is included once a week. Students may choose room only (with use of kitchen), or two meals per day. Superior Host Families offering private bathrooms are available at additional cost. See table below for pricing.
Shared Apartments: This is a school-owned and managed residential option. There are 2 different shared apartments located in the same elegant building, less than a five-minute walk from the school. The have both recently been entirely renovated and are finely furnished. It is a perfect solution for students who wish to live more independently, yet being part of a “family” group of international students. Centrally situated, the apartments are located within walking distance to the famous shopping streets of Bologna. Students are placed in single rooms and share the common areas of the apartments. Apartments are fully equipped and students have full use of a kitchen to prepare their own meals.
Other options available: Studio apartments, hotels and B&B accommodations. The school can organize rentals of one bedroom or two bedroom apartments located in the city center and within walking distance from the school. A high standard of cleanliness and comfort is guaranteed. Negotiated special reduced rates with 3 stars “boutique” hotels and B&B are also available. Prices vary depending on category, room type and season. Prices available upon request. Note: a placement fee of USD 46.00 applies to all third party bookings made by the school.
ALCE Bologna – Accommodation Prices 2020:
| Housing Description | One week | Two weeks | Three weeks | Four weeks | Extra weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Host Family: Single Room, no meals (use of kitchen) | $226 | $402 | $578 | $754 | $176 |
| Host Family: Single Room, breakfast and dinner | $308 | $565 | $823 | $1,081 | $258 |
| Superior Host Family: Single Room, private bath, no meals (use of kitchen) | $289 | $528 | $767 | $1,005 | $239 |
| Host Family: Single Room, private bath, breakfast and dinner | $371 | $691 | $1,012 | $1,332 | $320 |
| Shared Apartment: Single Room, no meals, use of kitchen. LOW SEASON | $239 | $371 | $534 | $697 | $157 |
| Shared Apartment: Single Room, no meals, use of kitchen. HIGH SEASON | $251 | $402 | $578 | $754 | $170 |
Double room prices for students traveling together are available, please contact us for details.
Important Notes: Arrival at Shared Apartment must be on Sunday between 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM only. Check-out on Saturday before 11:00. Minimum stay at apartments is 2 weeks.
HIGH SEASON rates apply to shared apartment bookings from 16 June to 14 September 2019.
Note: Double room rates in apartments are available for two students traveling together. Please contact us for pricing.
ALCE Bologna – Activities:
The social program is organized by the school’s director and the teachers and all activities and excursions are accompanied by a teacher. The activities offer an ideal opportunity to explore the city and surroundings and to meet new friends: we strongly encourage the participation as this helps and accelerates your Italian language learning. The historical, artistic and cultural heritage of Italy has been long considered the pride and joy of this nation. No other country in the world can boast the same archaeological and artistic treasures as Italy. Your time at ALCE is therefore the perfect opportunity to discover our infinite natural and cultural riches.
ALCE invites you to visit a different Italy where you can discover and genuinely get to know the history and culture of its people: we will be happy to take you to lesser known, but equally beautiful and important places, and help you discover the countryside and Italy’s innumerable gastronomic delights.
Most of the activities are included in the course fee and are completely free: Visit to local historical places of interest, themed walking tours of Bologna, seasonal activities (games and sports at the nearby big park, open air cinema, walks in city parks), Italian Film club at school or video dubbing, board games in Italian, quiz night at school, exchange evenings (students can meet and talk with Italian students who are learning foreign languages at the school).
Some activities require a fee to cover admission tickets and /or transport. These are optional and offered on a pay-as-you-go basis: Visit to museums & galleries, “aperitivo” or diner out with teachers, and cooking and wine tasting courses.
Excursions take place once every 2 Saturdays . Students cover the cost of transportation (generally 20-30€ depending on destination). Travel is usually by train which is very convenient. Bologna is very well connected and at the heart of the northern Italian railway network. Any city of art as well as a lot of other places is reachable in an hour, 1h30 or less. Example of city of arts trips: Verona, Ferrara, Parma, Ravenna, Mantova, Padova, Dozza, San Marino, Florence, Venice, Milan.
Airport Pick-up: School arranged transfers from the Bologna airport or the Bologna train station are available upon request and at additional cost. Airport Transfer: USD 61.00 (each way), Train Station: USD 43.00 (each way).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prices are subject to change due to fluctuating foreign currency rates.