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Program & Admission Information - Taormina, Italy
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The methodology used has beem developed around a communicative based approach. This means that the program focuses first on the students ability to communicate (written and oral) in the Italian language, and then interjects the grammatical structures and formal rules of the language. To assist in the understanding of the language and its usage teachers will present students with newspaper and magazine article, taped dialog, video-taped situation, letters, and/or short-short stories. This engages the student in an analysis of the grammatical structures in a meaningful and productive manner.
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Students who want more practice and want to augment their studies with a traditional exercise book may do so upon request. They exercises and practice material are designed to follow the sequence of the course providing the student with a guide to their independent study. It is also valuable for students who want to continue practicing their Italian after they return home.
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There is a maximum number of 8 students per class. This limit ensures a small group which is more conducive to communication, and offers each student the opportunity to speak as much as possible.
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The courses are divided into two programs: The Formation Program & The Specialization Program. The Formation Program is divided into three levels (Elementary, Intermediate and Superior) and allows the students to reach the "Threshold Level", i.e. the level of communicative competence according to the Modern Language Project of the Council of Europe. The Specialization Program is divided into three levels (Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and Advanced 3) and allows the students to reach a level of competence in the Italian language which is necessary for entrance into an Italian university.
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Each level lasts four weeks. Students are welcome to enroll for as few as 2 weeks or as many as 6 months. Please Note: completion of a particular 4 week course does not guarantee advancement to the next level. Language learning is not a mechanical endeavor. It is an academic endeavor which contains a personal / psychological component as well. Some students have elected to repeat a particular level or delay advancement by a week or two, so as to continue study and practice of particular structures, so as to feel more comfortable. Because methodology is developed from a Communicative based approach and because the materials, activities and tasks are quite extensive, there is no risk that the student will repeat the same activities, using the same materials.
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Standard Course
Group 20 hours per week. This course is designed for those who want a complete language experience, studying 4 hours per day, focusing on the language analysis activities and the communicative tasks.
Standard Plus Course Group/Tutor 25 hours per week - 20 hours of Group + 5 hours of Tutor weekly. The course is designed for those who, beyond the advantages of the Standard group course, want to have an extra individual hour (one-to-one) per day especially devoted to their needs.
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Intensive Course
Group 30 hours per week. A course designed for those who want to have a more intensive group course to strengthen their abilities in a shorter time.
Language & Italian History Course 2 weeks, 24 or 28 hours per week - Standard Course, Group 20 + 4 hours of Italian History private tutor, OR Standard Course, Group 20 + 8 hours of group lessons in Italian History. In combination with the Standard Group course, an Italian History course is offered which covers the Etruscans, the Greeks, the Romans, all the way up to the present day in Italy. The History course is taught by individuals trained in the field. Tutor course is offered on the first Monday of every month. The group course is subject to minimum enrollment.
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Language & Art History
2 weeks, 24 or 28 hours per week - Standard Course, Group 20 + 4 hours of Italian Art History private tutor OR Standard Course, Group 20 + 8 hours of group lessons in Italian Art History. The school offers an Italian Art History course in combination with the Standard Group course which focuses on sculpture, painting and architecture in Italy. The aim of the course is to provide content based language study and to provide a deeper, more specialized knowledge and understanding of Italian Art. The Art History course is taught by individuals trained in the field. Tutor course is offered on the first Monday of every month. The group course is subject to minimum enrollment.
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Standard Course + "Family Style" Cooking Course
Group 20 hours per week plus 10.5 hours per week of private cooking lessons with a Sicilian host mother. The cooking course is given in the home of a Sicilian "mamma". Cooking lessons will be provided on the preparation of a full meal with units focusing on the first course (pasta, risotto, or soup), a second course (vegetarian, meat or fish), side dishes (salad or vegetables), and sweets or cake. The course includes a weekly dinner with the host mother in the homestay.
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Language & Sicillian Ceramics OR Wood and Furniture Restoration Apprenticeship
23 hours per week - Standard Course, Group 20 + 3 Ceramic or Wood and Furniture Restoration Apprenticeship. This combination course includes the Standard Group course and an organized practical apprenticeship on Sicilian ceramic, or on wood and furniture restoration, tutored by professional craftsmen, during which you will learn to make a piece of decorated Sicilian pottery or a decorated wood art work. At the end of the workshop a Letter of Attendance is issued by the craftsmen's atelier.
Language & Eco-Touring Standard Course, Group 20 + 2 different guided half-day hiking tours and 1 guided all-day hiking tour per week. This course includes the Standard Group course of language study and guided hiking tours through Sicily's National Parks. All transportation is included in the cost.
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Admissions & Academic Credit
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Students 17 years and older regardless are welcomed regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. No previous knowledge of Italian is required except where otherwise indicated.
Students desiring credit for their study should contact their home school or request the NRCSA Credit Fact Sheet. Generally, U.S. universities consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.
For general information on academic credit, please click here.
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There is a final test, given upon request, however many students prefer to continue with another day of class rather than take the test. After this test, students are given certification, which, if necessary, details the program followed and includes an evaluation of the student's achieved level of language proficiency, according to the Modern Language Project of the Council of Europe.
The NRCSA Center is a preparation centre for the CILS-Certificates of the University of Siena. Detailed information is available upon request. CILS Preparation course is at additional cost.
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