Learn Italian at Dante Alighieri in Siena, Italy

Todd winters

Reviewed on 11 July 2022 via google

I am an American faculty member with my third group of college students partnering with DA Siena. The instruction, faculty, and staff are wonderful. Italian Culture, Language, Arts & Humanities, Food & Agriculture, “Learning Italy” has outstanding programming for college students and adult learners. I strongly recommend for short travel study and longer study abroad programs. —Dr. Todd Winters, University of Tennessee at... I am an American faculty member with my third group of college students partnering with DA Siena. The instruction, faculty, and staff are wonderful. Italian Culture, Language, Arts & Humanities, Food & Agriculture, “Learning Italy” has outstanding programming for college students and adult learners. I strongly recommend for short travel study and longer study abroad programs. —Dr. Todd Winters, University of Tennessee at Martin

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Emily barden

Reviewed on 19 January 2023 via google

I am currently here studying on the language and music course. The location, building, staff and general feeling of the place are all lovely. Welcoming, relaxed but organised, and you can be as involved in extra options like social meetings or trips as you want. My one to one lessons with Luca studying the history of opera have been truly eye-opening and very inspirational. I find I wake up with sections arias playing loudly in my... I am currently here studying on the language and music course. The location, building, staff and general feeling of the place are all lovely. Welcoming, relaxed but organised, and you can be as involved in extra options like social meetings or trips as you want. My one to one lessons with Luca studying the history of opera have been truly eye-opening and very inspirational. I find I wake up with sections arias playing loudly in my head.!!
Having these sessions in Italian has really helped with my comprehension and listening skills as well as helping me contextualise a lot of things about Italy, history, society and culture. I have developed a genuine love and fascination for opera as a genre, having never had any experience of it before this course. As a musician, the extra option of having singing lessons with a spectacular teacher has really been the icing on the cake.

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John s. dunlop

Reviewed on 04 May 2023 via google

For me a language course should be instructive, enjoyable, fun; seems that DA and I are perfectly matched.

Professional and friendly staff, sensitive to the needs of students.
Offering help, support, positive encouragement.
Thoughtful placement with host family.
Met some wonderful new friends.

I cannot find fault with DA. A delightful 2 weeks – already planning my next visit.
For me a language course should be instructive, enjoyable, fun; seems that DA and I are perfectly matched.

Professional and friendly staff, sensitive to the needs of students.
Offering help, support, positive encouragement.
Thoughtful placement with host family.
Met some wonderful new friends.

I cannot find fault with DA. A delightful 2 weeks – already planning my next visit.

Che bello! Grazie a tutti per tutto. Alla prossima volta! Ciao.

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Katherina zdravkov

Reviewed on 03 October 2022 via google

I give my highest and most sincere praise of this school. Dante Alighieri Siena is abundant with teaching and administrative staff who tend to your every need and prioritize your positive experience in the program. I participated as a Summer Abroad student for five weeks in Siena. I received tremendous care and instruction from everyone I interacted with, including but not limited to: Luca Bonomi, Guido Elia, Serena Bonelli, Bianca... I give my highest and most sincere praise of this school. Dante Alighieri Siena is abundant with teaching and administrative staff who tend to your every need and prioritize your positive experience in the program. I participated as a Summer Abroad student for five weeks in Siena. I received tremendous care and instruction from everyone I interacted with, including but not limited to: Luca Bonomi, Guido Elia, Serena Bonelli, Bianca Puma, Sonia, etc. They all cultivated a very comfortable and engaging learning environment, and I was able to take away a great deal about the Italian language and dialects, and the Sienese culture. I improved my conversational Italian exponentially across five weeks, feeling comfortable in the classroom, our local cafe' during la pausa ("Al Solito Posto"), and across the beautiful city of Siena. I also became much more proficient in vocabulary and grammar, and learned so much about the history of the city and of the Palio. I very much miss attending the School - I wish I was still there! Nothing but the best at DA Siena. Sign up soon!

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Lisa b

Reviewed on 12 August 2020 via google

I attended group classes and afternoon activities here for two weeks in February before the school had to close because of the pandemic. Classes were fun, interesting and varied. The teachers were very smart and nice. There were didactic lessons, games, conversation, and one day we even went to the weekly market together. The afternoon activities included watching an Italian movie, a meal at a local restaurant and a tour of the Saint... I attended group classes and afternoon activities here for two weeks in February before the school had to close because of the pandemic. Classes were fun, interesting and varied. The teachers were very smart and nice. There were didactic lessons, games, conversation, and one day we even went to the weekly market together. The afternoon activities included watching an Italian movie, a meal at a local restaurant and a tour of the Saint Catherine convent. Once it was clear that the country was going to lock down, the school handled the situation and communications in a very clear and professional manner. I will be back to Siena and the school whenever Americans can go to Italy again! Next time I will find lodging recommended by the school though. In February I found my own apartment and it wasn’t great. I heard from other students that the rentals recommended by the school were very interesting and convenient.

Since leaving Italy I’ve been very pleased with the online classes I’m taking from the school 2-3 times a week with Livia.

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Betsy b

Reviewed on 24 August 2022 via google

As adult, I was looking for an Italian program in which I could study the language, immerse myself in the culture and have the flexibility to live in an Airbnb (as opposed to living in a dorm or with a host family.) The only program I could find like this (and I did a LOT of searching) was the Dante Alighieri School in Sienna (which also has more traditional programs for students.) To say the program far exceeded my wildest... As adult, I was looking for an Italian program in which I could study the language, immerse myself in the culture and have the flexibility to live in an Airbnb (as opposed to living in a dorm or with a host family.) The only program I could find like this (and I did a LOT of searching) was the Dante Alighieri School in Sienna (which also has more traditional programs for students.) To say the program far exceeded my wildest expectations would be the world’s greatest understatement. From the time I arrived in Sienna (September, 2021) everything was taken care of for me. And by “everything,” I mean everything! I was met at the bus station by Guido, who I soon discovered was a tour guide, master facilitator, patient Italian conversationalist and most importantly a wonderful human being. In addition to my daily private tutor, I had cultural tours with Andrea, a man with infinite knowledge of and passion for everything in the city, from museum tours to food and wine tastings and everything in between. I had cooking classes in the school’s professional kitchen, taught by Massimo and Letizia, a fantastic couple who taught me to cook everything from hand rolled pasta to desserts I’m still dreaming about. After every class, we were served the meal we cooked on the terrace outside the kitchen with a spectacular view of Sienna. Regarding my language lessons, I found my teacher to be nothing short of brilliant. Seriously. I’ve had a decent amount of instruction in several languages, but I have never come close to learning as much as I did with my teacher Claudio Viti. And I’ve certainly never had more fun in the process. When I left Sienna, I arranged Zoom classes with Claudio through the school and I continue to have them several times a week. My lessons were/are a combination of grammar/vocabulary work and conversation. The only negative was that, when I returned home, I realized I enjoyed talking to Claudio more in a language I was still learning than I did with many people in a language I already knew! Oh well… If anyone needs further proof of how much I loved the school, here it is: a month after I left, I returned for another two weeks. And I’m counting the days until I return again. VIVA LA SCUOLA DANTE ALIGHIERI!!!!

UPDATE: 8/24/22 - I’m returning to Sienna and The Dante Alghieri school for the FOURTH time this year, and I can’t wait to arrive. The school, the people who work there and my my tutor Claudio have become dear friends and they’ve made my trips to Sienna some of the happiest, not to mention the most educational, times of my life.

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Olivia baldanza

Reviewed on 28 January 2020 via google

I came here with the University of Delaware as a study abroad student. I really enjoyed the experience. Siena is a small, quiet town but its full of history and culture. The staff at the school were beyond helpful and inviting upon our arrival. We were all quite nervous being in a new environment but they helped us become more confident and open with the learning process. If youre looking to improve your fluency and immerse yourself... I came here with the University of Delaware as a study abroad student. I really enjoyed the experience. Siena is a small, quiet town but its full of history and culture. The staff at the school were beyond helpful and inviting upon our arrival. We were all quite nervous being in a new environment but they helped us become more confident and open with the learning process. If youre looking to improve your fluency and immerse yourself in a new culture, I would recommend this school for anyone.

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Amanda de figlio

Reviewed on 10 May 2019 via google

The Dante Alighieri School is more than perfect!
I have been a student at the school for 8 months now and can highly recommend the Italian language course!
In the heart of Siena you will find the school, which is beautifully furnished.
The learning atmosphere is wonderful and all teachers are very nice and competent. I personally, really like that there is a friendly atmosphere between teacher and student. It is... The Dante Alighieri School is more than perfect!
I have been a student at the school for 8 months now and can highly recommend the Italian language course!
In the heart of Siena you will find the school, which is beautifully furnished.
The learning atmosphere is wonderful and all teachers are very nice and competent. I personally, really like that there is a friendly atmosphere between teacher and student. It is always a pleasure to go to school and everyone enjoys it.
Furthermore, one is welcomed by wonderful secretaries who are always(!!)
available for help and advice.

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Adrian

Reviewed on 26 April 2019 via google

I would recommend Scuola Dante Alighieri Siena without reservation. It was my first experience of a language course. The administrative staff and teachers were so approachable and professional. Arrangements via email were easy to make and my accommodation was just what I wanted. The one to one lessons for a week were a great confidence boost in my studies. The teachers had great experience and could get the best out of students.... I would recommend Scuola Dante Alighieri Siena without reservation. It was my first experience of a language course. The administrative staff and teachers were so approachable and professional. Arrangements via email were easy to make and my accommodation was just what I wanted. The one to one lessons for a week were a great confidence boost in my studies. The teachers had great experience and could get the best out of students. The school arranged for additional activities that I really enjoyed. Finally I would say that Siena is a great environment to learn Italian. I tried my Italian on people in shops and museums and they were happy to put up with my efforts.

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Lew wessel

Reviewed on 29 January 2024 via google

The school was recommended to me by a good friend and I was a student there for two weeks in January, 2024. Loved the school, loved the city and loved Tuscany.
The teachers and staff were all terrific and I truly appreciated the care the school took in placing me at the correct level- the first week, in fact, the school decided that there was no one at my exact level so they provided me with private lessons!
The school... The school was recommended to me by a good friend and I was a student there for two weeks in January, 2024. Loved the school, loved the city and loved Tuscany.
The teachers and staff were all terrific and I truly appreciated the care the school took in placing me at the correct level- the first week, in fact, the school decided that there was no one at my exact level so they provided me with private lessons!
The school also handled my housing and my apartment was perfect.
100% recommend Dante Alighieri!!

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Ray francis

Reviewed on 29 June 2024 via google

Can't express how much I enjoyed my time here. I extended my original 4 week course to 6 weeks, I did not want it to finish. Teachers are great especially Andrea who made the whole experience fun, relaxed and enjoyable. I will definitely return in the near future, couldn't recommend it enough. Can't express how much I enjoyed my time here. I extended my original 4 week course to 6 weeks, I did not want it to finish. Teachers are great especially Andrea who made the whole experience fun, relaxed and enjoyable. I will definitely return in the near future, couldn't recommend it enough.