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The following post was created in partnership with Centro Machiavelli Italian Language School.
Call me a walking cliché, but after reading the first third of Eat Pray Love last year (surprise: I only read the ‘Eat’ part), I’ve been obsessed with the idea of learning Italian in faraway lands where my waistline can happily expand along with my language skills. I mean, attending an Italian language school in Italy. Is that not THE dream?
And while Elizabeth Gilbert chose Rome as the backdrop for her famous Italian eatathon/language journey, I’d personally be more inclined to choose Florence. I could list a million reasons why, the best of which is… it looks like this:
See, I grew up in school speaking French, but that took place in a sterile Canadian classroom where learning meant textbook cramming and angsty tears. The same happened with Spanish in high school, which I dutifully learned through cue cards and mucho robotic memorization. After failing to learn German while living in Munich, I had an epiphany… MAYBE the best way to learn a language is to combine the best of both worlds – proper lessons bundled with cultural immersion. (And food. Plenty of food.)
… enter this new dream of learning Italian.
SO, if you are keen to learn Italian in Florence, or are (like me) just dreamily researching Italian language courses in Florence, I’ve partnered with the folks at Centro Machiavelli Italian Language School to bring you the key factors you should look for when picking the ideal course. They’ve been offering Italian courses for foreigners since 1978, so clearly know a thing or two about combining education with la dolce vita.
FACTOR #1: Qualified instructors with plenty of experience
Duh – it’d be pretty awkward if you took lessons from someone who thought bongiorno was an off-brand of microwave pizza. Selecting a course with qualified, vetted instructors is crucial to making sure your language course is not just fun, but actually educational. Centro Machiavelli for example recruits only top-notch, experienced instructors and limits group sizes to 12 people per class, which means no one can awkwardly lag behind unnoticed, and everyone gets to take part.
FACTOR #2: A touch of creativity and culture
Come on, if you’re going to learn Italian in Florence, it better be with a glass of vino in hand. Language learning without culture is like a day without gelato – sad, disappointing and a big waste. If you want to learn a language properly, the methods should be both immersive and fun. That’s why Centro Machiavelli opts for creative and engaging teaching methods based around Italian culture, including crash courses in arts, crafts, singing and even cooking.
Plus, you get to actually live in the city centre, interacting daily other students and beautifully tanned locals. *dreamy sigh*
FACTOR #3: A fun, flexible atmosphere
The most magical thing about pursuing Italian language courses in Florence is that you. are. in. Florence! Remember in school, how excited you would get when you could have class OUTSIDE? Well imagine that but instead with beautiful Italia as the backdrop. That said, it’d be pretty dull if your language course didn’t match the excitement of your surroundings. That’s why Centro Machiavelli works with smaller class sizes, which enables them to pursue flexible and interactive teaching methods that cater to the needs of individual students, creating a more fun and laidback environment.
FACTOR #4: A fully immersive experience
One of the best things about language immersion is that you’re getting thrown into the deep end, without so much as a pool noodle to help you stay afloat. Besides living in a foreign city, you communicate with classmates from around the world where Italian becomes the one common denominator. You might struggle at first, but there’s no better way to learn. That’s why Central Machiavelli is super proud of their international approach, which comes from working with students from all around the world.
So, with all those factors to keep in mind… tell me, where would you want to learn a new language and why?
FINAL NOTE: This experience is still one on my bucket list, so I haven’t tried it yet for myself, but you can read reviews of the Central Machiavelli Italian Language School here.
This post was sponsored by Centro Machiavelli Italian Language School.
Check out their website for more information and to browse Italian language courses in Florence.
I don’t have a specific language I’d like to learn… okay, perhaps French, since I’ve forgotten a lot of it after studying it for seven years! I want to pick it up again!
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
https://charmainenyw.com
French is such a fun language to learn! I find that enjoying good French music does help 😉
These are some great tips but also beautiful photos. Especially the reflection one. Absolutely stunning.
thanks so much, Sara! That was one of the coolest sunsets I’ve ever seen in my life 🙂
This sounds so perfect. I’ve tried a couple of times to pick up German again after learning it at school but it just doesn’t stick. Online courses are handy but it’s too hard to commit! But this sounds like the ultimate way to pick up a language!
ahhh German is so tough!! I’ve been trying for months. The problem is most Germans speak flawless English so you don’t have as much incentive to learn… or maybe I’m just making excuses haha
Le Sigh… basically my dream!
I love the way Italian sounds SOOO much I listen to Italian radio just for fun :p
hahah that must be so entertaining <3
Italy was always my dream until I fell for a French man! I still would love to learn Italian and Florence would be the perfect place!
Falling for a French man sounds like a worthy consolation prize 😉 Thanks for reading, Lisa!
I LOVED Florence, the art and culture is unmatched there! Great advice, I studied in Rome and finding the right school is soooo important. This is super helpful, thanks for sharing 🙂
Did you study Italian in Rome? That sounds awesome!!
What a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture! Plus, vino!
can’t go wrong with vino!
I am thinking for a long time to move in Italy, start learning Italian and eat Ice cream 🙂 Great post to start!!
that is THE dream. <3 hope it comes true, Penelopi 😉
I’ve been wanting to learn french for years, and after traveling in africa and basically uaing the same 20 qorkds over and over Im ginally going to do it!
Im spendkng next month in Paris, taking a 1 montj class at the Sarbonne!
Im super excited to learn in class then walk out and use it every day. And Paris is so pretty (and delicious) too!
I’ve been wanting to learn french for years, and after traveling in africa and basically uaing the same 20 qorkds over and over Im ginally going to do it!
Im spendkng next month in Paris, taking a 1 montj class at the Sarbonne!
Im super excited to learn in class then walk out and use it every day. And Paris is so pretty (and delicious) too!
That is SO awesome, Danie!! You’re going to have so much fun. I really hope you make the most of your time in Paris <3 <3
I remember Florence fondly – it’s such a beautiful city! It’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants to learn the language and is interested in Art.
Of course, their food is amazing as well!
can’t complain about the food, that’s for sure… mmm mm!
I really like this post. I am a person who struggles with learning and retaing new languages, and I have a feeling that being immersed in the culture and context of the language may make things a bit easier. And Florence! Well, can’t complain about that either.
Ah totally, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Fun fact: Cantonese was actually my first language (I didn’t learn English until I started school, despite being born in Canada) and I slowly but surely lost my ability to speak it properly. Once I started elementary school, Chinese wasn’t “cool” anymore. Gosh, what a fool I was!
This sounds so amazing!!! Learning Italian has always been on my bucketlist!
Me too!! My radical dream is to one day speak English, French, Spanish, Italian, German and Chinese. lol we’ll see how that goes… I have bits and pieces of each so far haha.
Christina,
Your pictures are incredible! We have not yet made it to Florence, but I’ve heard from many friends that it was their favorite Italian city.
Learning the language sounds amazing!
Gosh thanks so much, Ashlyn <3 Florence really is amazing. I hope you make it there soon!
Molto bene!
Imagine studying italian in a historic and yet stunningly beautiful city all at once. Sounds like the right combination.
Oh and did we even mention that you have TUSCANY in the background which you can explore once classes are over? Swoon!
Learning is one of life’s pleasures and it really doesn’t require thinking over it. Just do it and go right?
Yes!!! You are so right, Karla. Sounds like you already speak a bit of Italian? 😉 haha. Sounds like I’ll be meeting you in Florence :p
This sounds wonderful! I definitely agree that total immersion courses are the best way to learn a new language, and why on earth would anyone NOT want to do that in Italy?!
1000% agree! Thanks for reading, Danielle! <3
Woow, this looks really amazing,
This is really on my have to do list before i get into my 40’s
Keep posting,
Kind regards
Stefanie
an amazing bucket list item for sure 🙂 <3 Hope you make it a reality, Stafaine!
I really love Italy and planning to visit next summer