Babilonia - Italian Language Courses in Sicily

  Italy

• Sicily: 
Taormina

Term: Throughout the year 

Description: Taormina is perfectly situated to offer easy access to the beautiful and historically important treasures of Sicily: the ideal place to combine a study abroad program & vacation! In this small historical, internationally renowned town, personal and social contacts are easily made and welcomed by residents. As W. Goethe wrote in 1786: "Without Sicily, Italy cannot be fully understood. It is here one finds the key to all things". We would love to welcome you and give you the opportunity to enjoy a personal, cultural and educational experience here with us.

Our Italian courses can be language courses in a group or private language courses. Our Italian language school in Taormina, Sicily, offers study stays from one week up to one year! We can assist you in finding accommodation in Taormina.

If, beyond a full immersion study abroad stay, you also want a full cultural experience, we offer a wider choice of culture courses from which to choose:

- cooking courses
- arts & crafts: ceramics, painting, sculpture and wood restoration courses
- Italian literature courses
- Italian history courses
- art history courses

Or, maybe you prefer something more active, dynamic and sporty' Then you can choose from:
- eco-tours
- sport & adventure
- golf

On the other hand, if you need courses for specific purposes, we can offer:
- business & executives courses
- commercial correspondence

With our Italian language courses, we offer a program of social and cultural activities. Come on a virtual tour with the help of some short-videos taken inside our school of Italian and see who our students and our teachers are. You can also read some students' comments on our school and courses and if you wish, you can also contact them by e-mail and ask them about their feedback. In our website, you can also read some Press Clippings on the school.

Beyond all of that, our Italian language programs are officially recognized by:
- The State Department of Education
- A.S.I.L.S. - Associazione delle Scuole di Italiano come Lingua Seconda, the only one south of Naples
- I.A.L.C - International Association of Language Centres, the only one south of Rome

Our Center for Italian Studies has developed summer study abroad programs and short-term programs in Sicily with the following U.S. institutions:
- Elon University (faculty led program)
- Montclair State University (faculty led program)
- Auburn University (faculty led program)

And, in the past, credits for independent studies for studying at our institute have been granted by:
- Temple University (credits granted for independent studies abroad)
- University of New Hampshire (credits granted for independent studies abroad)

And our School of Italian has signed agreements with:
- University for foreigners of Perugia as Official Authorized Exam Centre for CELI Exams - Certificato di lingua Italiana. The CELI exam is conform to the ALTE- Association of Language Testers in Europe - directives on the European standards fixed by the European Council. The exam sessions are in June and November.
- University "Ca'Foscari' of Venezia as authorized language centre for the apprenticeship of ITALS Master for teachers of Italian as foreign/second language.

Highlights: Our Italian language courses can be the beginning of an unforgettable journey in Sicily. From Taormina, it is very easy to get to Syracuse, volcano Mount Etna, the Eolian Islands, Catania, Piazza Armerina and Noto. And traveling a little bit further to Palermo, Selinunte, Segesta, Agrigento, Erice. And many more are the treasures of Sicily.

Do you already know our town, Taormina and our island, Sicily?

Taormina has very ancient origins: in its Bay of Naxos, in 735 B.C., the first Greek colonizers landed and founded their first colony (Naxos) which was later to become the Magna Grecia. After them, whoever ruled over the Mediterranean Sea left their 'footprints' on this wonderful island. Would you like to know Taormina a little bit better' Click on Taormina and have a look at our photo album and if you have time, go for a virtual walk in town among its monuments, its history and its beaches.

Taormina can also be the basis for a trip in Sicily to discover the roots of the Sicily's culture and traditions. As W. J. Goethe wrote in 1786: "Without Sicily, Italy cannot be fully understood. It is here one finds the key to all things. Sicily has been at the centre of the Mediterranean See and therefore of the European interests, for more than 2.000 years, until the 'discovery' of the New World.

At the time of Dante Alighieri there was already a discussion among academics about which should be the national Italian language: that of the writers and poets of the courts of Frederick II or that of the court of the Medici in Florence. Then the divine Comedy was written and this put an end to the discussion. But it is in Sicily that the national theatre has its origins, with the tragedies written by Eschilo, Euripide, Aristofane. It is here that the genius of Archimedes anticipated the genius of Leonardo da Vinci. And it was the culture of the Magna Grecia that fed the Etruscan civilization, first and the Latin civilization, afterwards, making Rome 'Caput Mundi'. Click on myths of Sicily, if you want to know more about them.

Two of the Nobel Price for literature were Sicilians: Pirandello e Quasimodo. But many are the Sicilian writers who are fundamental in the history of the Italian literature: Verga, Capuana, Rosso di San Secondo e Tomasi di Lampedusa. And still nowadays the contribution of Sicily to the Italian literature is immense: Vittorini, Sciascia, Bufalino, Consolo e Camilleri.

The same in music: from the 'cantastorie' telling the stories of the French Paladins to the Opera composer Vincenzo Bellini. The same in paintings: from Antonello da Messina to Renato Gattuso. And in fashion: from Mariella Ferrera to Dolce & Gabbana.

Not to be forgotten are also the treasures of the eno-gastronomy: from pasta alla Norma to caponatina, from cannoli to pasta reale, from Marsala wine to Malvasia.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: According to the program length

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Italy Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of max 10

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is 24/48 hours

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Babilonia- Italian language courses in Taormina, Italy's Mission Statement: The main goal of our "Italian plus fun" programs is giving you the chance to study Italian and to enjoy a life and cultural experience in Sicily, fully immersed in its culture, in its history, in its traditions, in its territory.

Year Founded: 1992