Koinè - Italian language courses in Tuscany
 www.koinecenter.com

Koinè is a special kind of school. In fact, it was set up in 1980 as an association of teachers, all with personal and professional experience in the area of teaching Italian as a foreign language. Since these teachers were dissatisfied with their experiences, they decided to create a new type of organization which would differ from other private schools in its style of working and teaching methods. At our five centers located in Florence, Lucca, Cortona, Orbetello and Bologna, we offer a variety of courses in Italian language and culture so as to satisfy all learning needs.

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Koinè is a special kind of school. In fact, it was set up in 1980 as an association of teachers, all with personal and professional experience in the area of teaching Italian as a foreign language. Since these teachers were dissatisfied with their experiences, they decided to create a new type of organization which would differ from other private schools in its style of working and teaching methods. At our five centers located in Florence, Lucca, Cortona, Orbetello and Bologna, we offer a variety of courses in Italian language and culture so as to satisfy all learning needs. Just choose the course you prefer, then check which locations it is offered in.

Courses –

Italian Language and Culture - http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=1

20 hours/week group course for 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks with starting dates every 2 weeks (mornings 9:00-13:00 for 4 hours for 5 levels)
30 hours/week group course for 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks for starting dates every 2 weeks (morning 9:00-13:00 for 4 hours for 5 levels, and afternoon 2 hours of reading and writing practice for 2 levels) This course is held only in Florence.
Four hours a day of language lessons from 9:00 to 13:00 with a short break of 20 minutes, Monday through Friday, for a total of 20 hours a week. Classes are organized in small, homogeneous groups of from 4 to a maximum of 12 participants. (Class size is limited to 8 students in Bologna, Cortona, and Orbetello.) There are 5 different ability levels, each with its own teaching methods designed specifically for that language level.

Combined Intensive Course – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=3

In addition to the four hours of group tuition in the morning, it is possible to attend a one-to-one afternoon lesson of two hours with a teacher, in which you will have the chance to sort out any particular learning problem and deal with your specific interests. The group session meets in the morning from 9:00 to 13:00, Monday through Friday, and one-to-one lessons are conducted from 14:00 to 16:00.

Individual intensive lessons – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=6

These lessons are offered for those with a personal or professional interest in the Italian language and with time restrictions. You may select a specific focus, such as Italian for economics, business, medicine, banking, history, art, or architecture. Minimum duration: 1 week (Monday to Friday). Minimum frequency: 2 hours a day. Structured lessons for 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours/day. The 6 and 8-hour course is divided into 2 parts and taught by 2 different teachers, one from 9:00 to 13:00, the other from 13:00 to 15:00 or to 17:00, the 8-hour course includes a conversational lunch with one of the teachers.

Tutor corse – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=7

This course offers the chance to work intensively in a full-immersion setting, at the same time allowing the participant to live together and share their experience closely with the teacher. During the Renaissance the aristocracy used to receive tutors in their palaces to teach their children, if you choose our course you will be given accommodation and learn directly in your tutor’s home! Tutor course is a super-intensive course at the teacher's home, featuring 7 hours of lessons a day from Monday to Friday (9:00-13:00 and 13:00-16:00; including lunch with teacher from 13:00-14:00).
Starting date every working day of the year.

Bread, wine and language – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=8

This course is a two-weeks program combining morning language instruction with afternoon culinary and cultural activities and excursions. During the morning you can learn the Italian language in a group lesson and during the afternoon you can discover the secrets of Tuscan wines and cookery. The program is also open to the Italian language beginners, an interpreter will be present at wine tastings and cookery lessons

The Artists' Workshops – – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=9 Courses include drawing and painting, figurative sculpture, ceramics, frescoes and decorative painting as well as Florentine mosaic, papier mache, and furniture restoration.
Initially the lessons will be held mainly in English, from the second month onwards more in Italian. The history of art lesson will be held in English only.

 Photography Workshop http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=10

Lessons are held 3 times a week for 3 h each (3-6 pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and from 2005 also only for 2 times a week (Monday and Wednesday 3-6 pm).
Starting dates are extremely flexible and it is possible to join a workshop that has already started.

Courses for teachers of Italian – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=11

Koinè's research and refresher courses

Language, Nature & Sports

Combine studying Italian while enjoying your favorite sport

Learn Italian While Sailing – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/corso.asp?IDCorso=14

In a yacht at Elba Island

Accommodation – http://www.koinecenter.com/En/accommodations.asp

Florence – Single and double rooms rented from families, students or in Hotel

Lucca – Single and double rooms rented from families, students or in hotel

Cortona – Single and double rooms in hotels and convents

Orbetello – Private rooms in appartments, single or double with Italian families or in hotels

Bologna – Single and double rooms rented from families or in hotels

The Koinè Center school can assist students in obtaining temporary residence permits for the period of the course. This service is handled by the school secretaries who prepare all necessary documents required by the local authorities.

The Koinè Center offers a pick-up service for students from the train station or airport.