Description
Ready to learn Italian?
Unlike other language schools, we do not ask you to pay for your whole course in advance: all you need to do to complete your booking is to pay a non-refundable deposit, then nothing more until the first day of your course!
Add this product to your shopping cart to pay €150 with your credit card, Paypal account or via bank transfer.
As soon as we receive confirmation of your payment, we’ll contact you to confirm your course and to make arrangements for your accommodation, if you need it. We’ll also send you a level test to complete.
We look forward to welcoming you to our language school and to helping you fulfill your dream of speaking and understanding Italian!
LEGAL STUFF – PLEASE READ THIS SO YOU ARE FULLY INFORMED BEFORE YOU COMPLETE YOUR PURCHASE
1. Fees. We recommend you pay the deposit using Paypal or with a credit card (processed by Paypal on our behalf), which is the safest and most inexpensive way for you to confirm your course, though it is not completely free. Paypal deducts a fee from your payment: the amount varies according to your country and the currency you are paying in. We charge a standard amount of €6 for this payment service, which will be added to the cost of your Italian course if you choose this payment option (there are no other unexpected or hidden costs!)
If you choose instead to pay by bank transfer, please be aware that international bank-to-bank may incur large fees (much higher than Paypal), which you will be responsible for. Bank transfer payments within the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) are normally free.
2. Non-refundable deposit. We ask you to pay a deposit of only €150 to book your course and/or accommodation, rather than the full amount of the course fee and the accommodation cost (if applicable), which you need not pay until you arrive in Bologna. Please note, though, that by paying a deposit, you are entering into a commitment. If your plans change, let us know and we will cancel your booking and hold your deposit for a future course, but we will not refund it. We hope you understand!
3. Terms and conditions. You’ll find our full “Terms and Conditions”, written in plain English, here. If you have questions, email or phone us.
Kathryn Temple (verified owner) –
I spent a month at Madrelingua last summer and it was amazing. The teachers are caring, smart, and patient. I had already completed 18 credits of college Italian…but could barely speak a complete sentence as there was very little opportunity to speak freely during pandemic zoom classes. Wow, Madrelingua really changed that for me. I was speaking from the first day and by the end of the month felt so much more comfortable. The classes fly by and the teachers are lovely.
Zsofia Troll (verified owner) –
Both the qualtiy of education and the athmosphere at Madrelingua was perfect for my intensive holidays in Italy. Although ALL of my professors were very helpful and kind, I must highlight Giulia, one of the best language teachers I have met (learning Italian as the 5th language) – for her smile, her way of turning the complex into something easy to understand and for being the truly Italian girl full of energy and funny stories that get you to speak even on the first days of the course or a rainy day. My Italian went literally from “Ciao” to having simple but continuous conversations with locals in just 3 weeks and I am planning to return next summer to keep on learning Italian at Madrelingua.
Quality teaching, excellent team, fast and funny learning, nice activities, good company, good location, good price. The perfect choice! 🙂
Hugs for everybody in the tea, and hope to see you soon again!
SITA GUNERATNE –
I have spent a total of four week studying at Madrelingua over a two year period. I have been much impressed with the quality of teaching and delighted with the city of Bologna. I can’t wait to do another course in 2017.
The school encourages an open and friendly atmosphere, students of all levels can get to know each other and the fact that all teaching and coffee breaks are in Italian helps immensely with language immersion. Apart from those important factors, the teachers have, without exception, a highly developed sense of humour, which they manage to inject into even the most headache inducing grammatical structures. I have almost grown to love the imperfect subjunctive……
Stefi arranged ideal accommodation for me just a short walk away. I stayed in the same place both times, and intend doing so in the future.
I really have no hesitation in recommending Madrelingua. It provides an interesting and enriching experience which goes far beyond the immediate objective of language learning.
Joan Erickson –
I’ve studied the Italian language at a U.S. college, independently with a variety of software programs, and in one-on-one with an instructor. I can honestly say that I learned more in the short space of 2 weeks in my course at Madrelingua than I had through the collection of other options. My instructors nudged me forward and what I learned there helped to enhance my ongoing lessons with my current instructor.
However, I would say that Madrelingua is not confined to those that have a serious interest in progressing in their Italian studies. While they are very good at helping with that, studying here could make for a fun experience even for those who would like just a little exposure to the language, while enjoying a real Italian city that is spectacular in its own right and hasn’t become a tourist trap. The instructors and others you will meet during your stay will enrich your travel experience, as well.
I found all the instructors to all be accessible, playful, encouraging and fun. Departing, I wished I’d been able to sign up for a longer course. And I look forward to a return trip there to brush up my current skills and take me to the next level.
I would highly recommend the school to anyone wanting to study the language at any level.
shirley critchley (verified owner) –
Excellent all round place to learn. I found my own accommodation so I can not comment on that but the teaching was excellent and I enjoyed the way they incorporate the break at the coffee bar. A nice mix of ages and nationalities. Lessons were interesting, challenging at times but that is what I wanted. I have recommended Madrelingua to a friend
ANN DANGERFIELD (verified owner) –
I have now been to Madrelingua 4 times and have just booked my next visit. The staff are very welcoming and the teachers very competent and really friendly. There is a great atmosphere and even in the coffee break for students and tutors speaking Italian is obligatory. You have the opportunity to meet learners from other groups and all nationalities, covering a wide range of ages, and to make new friends. There is an optional social and cultural programme each afternoon, led by native speakers, with trips to places of interest, wine and beer tastings, museum visits etc.
The classes are at different levels and the school is particularly good at grouping students appropriately, whilst keeping numbers small. I have used the accommodation finding service which is very useful. Homestay is incredibly cheap and gives another dimension to the language learning experience.
I would certainly recommend Madrelingua for learners at any level. Non vedo l’ora di ritornare!
Suzy Fanucci Schmidt –
Never having enrolled in a language school before, I was tentative about the whole process. Stefania and I spoke on the phone a couple times and she was helpful in guiding me through the process–from the pretest to the day of arrival. She never tired of my endless questions. Upon arrival i was greeted with smiles and encouragement which never ceased throughout my 2-weeks of study. I found Paula and Giulia intelligent , personable and Giulia especially entertaining 🙂 Instructors speak only Italian in class, and in response to my quizzical looks to their statements, they would then rephrase, using ‘other-simple’ words, if i still could not understand, they would then again rephrase using simpler words yet-even at times resorting to “in contrario” -which would finally result in my understanding, if not each and every word, at least the concept and idea they were trying to convey. I found this technique quite impressive. I only wish i stayed more than 2 weeks at Madre Lingua. I hope there is a next time…and i hope i can stay for a month!
Jan De Booser –
A settembre ho partecipato durante una settimana alle lezioni di italiano a Madrelingua. Era una grande settimana: insegnanti buoni e simpatici. Insegnano bene e si ha la possibilità di parlare molto italiano! E non è finita qui: Bologna è una città bella e vivace.
Karen (verified owner) –
Just recently, I had the opportunity to spend a month studying Italian at MadreLingua. I truly had a great time and learned a lot. The lessons were well structured and fun and the homework assignments served to reinforce what had been taught/learned. The teachers were highly skilled and entertaining and would stop at nothing, including sketching and play acting, to ensure that we learned what was necessary on any given day. The social activities were well planned and varied and brought us together with students from the other classes so there were lots of opportunities to practise our new found skills in the “real world”.
Last, but by no means least, the overall support provided by Steffi, always with a smile, for everything and anything, whenever it was needed, served to make this truly an exceptional experience.
By month’s end, I was NOT ready to leave! I hope to come back again soon!
P.S. I know that I should have written this in Italian so that you could see how much I had learned but felt that it might limit its accessibility to the potential audience. 🙂
Peter Cryle (verified owner) –
I have had a lot of experience in teaching and learning languages, and I know really good teaching when I see it. The teachers at Madrelingua are true professionals, and their professionalism includes creating a friendly, constructive atmosphere in which to learn. I’ve already been to the school three times, and I will go back again when I get a chance.
Suzanna Ward (verified owner) –
Sono stata a Bologna per fare un corso a Madre Lingua. Sto imparando italiano da molti anni (mezzo tempo) e avevo bisogna di essere in Italia per ascoltare e parlare nella lingua. Madre Lingua era fantastico. Tutti era amichevole e le classe molto buono. Mi sono divertita molto e tornero .! Grazie
Leslie DeBauche (verified owner) –
I learned so much during my eight days at Madrelingua. The teachers were both challenging and encouraging and the way the school day was paced worked very well. Madrelingua provided an intensive experience: grammar in the morning, conversation in the afternoon, homework help in the library, and, sometimes, extra-curricular activities later in the day. One evening we were invited to the home of a wonderful cook and we learned to make spaghetti Bolognese! It was the best mix of language, culture, and camaraderie; it was also delicious! There was a great fellow-feeling among the students which also helped to foster conversational Italian. There are also really helpful online supplements to the classes, so even though I am home now, I can keep working on my Italian. I am already planning when I can return and stay longer!
Sheryle Rogerson –
I did this course, my first course in Italy, in 2013 for 4 weeks. It was fantastic. The teachers were helpful and encouraging. I improved my speaking and understanding of Italian almost effortlessly. The extra curricular activities were well organised and increased my exposure to everyday Italian. I really liked the availability of the tutors, after the classes, in the library. I worked in the library and did my homework every afternoon with a tutor to advise if I got stuck, It was great.
Michael Stevens (verified owner) –
I cannot imagine a better experience. Five stars aren’t enough! The teachers are extremely talented, with deep linguistic knowledge of Italian. Equally important, they make every class a lot of fun. There is a sense of camaraderie among the students, and lots of planned events for the afternoons or evenings after class that give a broader view of Italian culture (wine tasting, historical sites, cooking lessons and a lot more) and, again, are also a lot of fun.
The city of Bologna is an ideal site for someone who wants to interact with the world in Italian. I often sat in cafes or restaurants where I was the only non-Italian. Also, the people are friendly and helpful. MadreLingua found me an apartment that was perfect, and other students I spoke with had the same positive experience about their living arrangements.
I can’t wait to go back!
Evgeniya –
Похоже это первый отзыв на русском языке 🙂 Я училась в Мадрелингва 4 недели. Это были незабываемые 4 недели! Я не ожидала, что процесс обучения будет настолько веселым и настолько результативным для меня! Мне понравилось все, без исключения. Атмосфера в школе, отношение к ученикам всех возрастов и национальностей, структура уроков и процесс донесения информации при непонимании 🙂 Со мной это часто случалось 🙂 Невозможно не влюбиться в Джулию – это один из самых позитивных человеков, повстречавшихся мне на пути. Чудесная Паола, умеющая сделать урок развлечением. Харизматичный Паоло и яркая, жизнерадостная Франческа. Спасибо ребята, за отличные 4 недели и за уверенность что я умею говорить на итальянском 🙂 Ждите в следующем году!
gillian fletcher (verified owner) –
Madrelingua is the third language school I’ve attended in Italy and it’s by far the best. I was nervous that it would be above my level but the teachers, Francesca and Giulia and Paulo, made it so much fun than you hardly noticed you were actually having a lesson, although we covered so much in five days. They’re intuitive about the level you’re at and what you need and you’re never made to feel stupid. The best thing is that it’s all in (very understandable) italian and after a day it gets easier and easier to speak. There are trips out in the afternoons or help in the library from the student teachers (grazie Angela and Gabriella per il suo aiuto con i miei compiti 🙂 ). Just jump in and go – you’ll love it.
Annette (verified owner) –
I have the highest regard for Madrelingua. From the excellent administration by Stefania and the most wonderful apartment they arranged for me, to the best possible teachers I could have hoped for. The school has a great energy and one gets absorbed in to the positive attitude and inclusiveness of everyone there. The students are from everywhere and are every age. Only Italian is spoken right from day one, so you just jump in the deep end and start swimming. I was amazed to find, through the talent and skill of the teachers, that I could understand what they wanted from us and could learn. Two weeks went by very quickly and I look forward to returning next year. Thank you for a great experience!
eithne murphy (verified owner) –
Ho appena fatto un piccolo intervallo di studio a Madrelingua; il terzo per me e non sara’ l’ultimo!
Come prima le lezioni erano istruite ma anche divertente. Francesca Giulia e Giovanni hanno fatto del loro meglio per incoraggiare tutti ad esprimersi in modo chiaro e logico e cosi’ da farsi capire in una lingua di ottima qualita’. Alla prossima!
Sophia Scheding –
I recently did a short beginner’s course at Madrelingua and was very impressed with the structure of the course and the very high standard of teaching. Right from the beginning it was clear to me that I was in good hands. The highly capable and experienced teachers taught by drawing on participants’ own lives and experiences to illuminate points of grammar or vocabulary. When one looked back over what we’d learnt, it was clear that there was a solid teaching plan behind what seemed like effortless conversation. All teaching was done solely in Italian and this immersive system was not only effective, but also fun! My only regret was that the 8 days that I could devote to the course was not nearly long enough. I certainly plan to return for a much longer period next year in order to consolidate. Highly recommended!
Bruce Benson (verified owner) –
I’ve attended five language schools in three cities in Italy in the past 2 1/2 years and Madrelingua is the best of the best. The teachers are engaging, effective, bright and committed. The facilities are the best I’ve seen, with well-equipped classrooms and a library where you can study before or after class, and often a tutor to help you at no extra cost. The school is very well-located in the historical center of Bologna, on a quiet street just five minutes from Piazza Magiore. Finally, as others have mentioned, if you run into problems, Stefi will be there to get you sorted out. She’s a gem. It’s a remarkable school in a remarkable city.
Kevin Platz –
I first visited Madrelingua in 2009, and found the program, the teachers, and the rest of the Madrelingua team to be outstanding, and very friendly. I’ve been going back annually since then, for “refresher” courses, and continue to love it there. Great school, and beautiful city, too!
Ruth e Benno (verified owner) –
Siamo una coppia più o meno di sessant’anni e nostro soggiorno di sei settimane a Bologna era impressionante! Da una parte la scuola con loro professoresse e professori competenti e molte gentilezze, e d’altra parte la città meravigliosa con i suoi cittadini. I docenti ci hanno motivati ogni giorno da nuovo, e sono anche spirituosi. Abbiamo seguito le lezioni con tanto piacere. Mille grazie a Paola , Francesca, Giulia. Paolo e Stafania. Ci vediamo !!
Daniel –
Sono già stato quattro volte a Madrelingua, ritorno certamente nel futuro.
Imparare la lingua più bella nel mondo in un ambiente molto piacevole con isegnanti bravissimi, è la mia esperienza a Madrelingua da 4 anni.
Gli insegnanti e Steffi sono diventati amici del cuore.
Grazie a Madrelingua, Bologna è la mia città preferita in Italia.
Silvia (verified owner) –
Ich habe die Kurswoche in Bologna sehr genossen:
– Die kleine, überschaubare und sehr persönlich geführte Schule mit den versierten Lehrpersonen und dem bestens organisierten Sekretariat.
– Die Unterkunft bei Lucia, welche mir die Schule vermittelt hat.
– Die verkehrsberuhigte Innenstadt mit den 42 km Arkaden und dem reichen kulturellen Angebot.
Bob Hotchkis (verified owner) –
Madrelingua is a fantastic language school and Bologna is a great place to spend some time. If you don’t know Italy before you go, you’re sure to love it by the time you leave! I spent 4 weeks there in early 2014 and I will be going back again later this year or early next. The teachers are very good – professional, but very friendly with lots of laughter and fun. They have amazing patience, really needed with people like me who need to have the same thing repeated over and over again! You get given homework every day and there is also a teacher available on an informal basis during the afternoons to answer questions or to practice chatting in Italian. I supplemented my classes in Bologna with some Skype classes when I got home and this all allowed me to pass a language assessment at work so I now have the opportunity to work for a few weeks each year in Italy. The school attracts a variety of students with all ages, backgrounds, ambitions and countries of origin, so you’ll meet lots of new people too. I can assure any prospective student that as Madrelingua managed to teach me Italian, they’ll manage it with you too, you’ll have to work hard, but they will get there!
Kersti –
Grazie mille per l’opportunità di frequentare una settimana gratuita di corso d’italiano a Madrelingua! È stata una settimana intensa e utile ma allo stesso tempo divertente. Ringrazio i miei insegnanti Paolo e Francesca e un grazie speciale va a Serena.
Le lezioni di Madrelingua sono efficaci e gli insegnanti davvero bravi e molto gentili. E di più, c’è una vita dopo scuola, di pomeriggio, con altri studenti e con il corpo insegnante della scuola. Tutto in italiano che permette agli studenti di praticare la lingua, applicarla nella vità quotidiana.
Se dovessi dare un consiglio a una persona che cercasse una scuola per imparare l’italiano, le direi subito: “Scegli Madrelingua!
Arrivederci a Bologna
Pat Starkey (verified owner) –
I have just returned from two weeks at Madrelingua (my fourth course there) and am already beginning to save for my next visit!
When students arrive, the first person they meet is generally Stefi – who is always welcoming and friendly. That’s a great help for anyone feeling a bit anxious, but also says a lot about every aspect of the school: it is a friendly and supportive place.
The teaching is very good indeed. Once allocated to their classes, students enjoy excellent and imaginative instruction in small groups that enable them to get to know each other and their teacher very quickly. Grammar can be hard work, but the lessons are carefully structured to enable students to make steady progress. And tasks to be completed after the class help to reinforce the ground covered. Conversation classes take a variety of forms. In our class this year we played games of various sorts, all requiring us to describe or explain things. This led to a good deal of hilarity but also increased our confidence in our ability to make ourselves understood.
And after the school day, the varied social programme also provides students with a range of opportunities for conversation as they enjoy activities such as wine- tasting, tours of the city, visits to local places of interest or visits to local bars or restaurants.
Madrelingua is an excellent language school, in a beautiful and fascinating city!
Sandra (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed my course at Madrelingua, After many many years of trying to learn it was my first experience of a language school – I wish I had done it sooner. I was really pleased with the way that all of the staff put you ease. The learning environment is relaxed you are almost learning without knowing it. The programme is varied – I really liked the mix of 2 different teachers, café with the students and teachers each morning and also the odd trip out to see a local place of interest. This school knows how to keep you stimulated while you are learning.
I hope to return to Madrelingua again later this year – I highly recommend this language school.
Elaine Jannon –
I spent a week at the school and was very pleased with the program, excellent teachers and pedegogy ; Being a TEFL teacher ( teaching english as a foreign language) I appreciated the activities which stimulated conversation and reinforced my grammar. A very helpful staff ,always ready to answer your questions. Bologna is a lovely city, not too big or small. I would recomend this school to anyone wishing to learn Italian.
10/10
Marcia Bailey –
Unequivocally the best in my estimation for one who wants to really immerse oneself in the language of Dante. I did four weeks this past winter and was pleased with everything about Madrelingua. The faculty is excellent and the manner in which they present the language was very helpful to me. I especially liked that the assignments were both teaching tools for grammar and educational tools regarding the historical and cultural aspects of Italy.
In addition they build time for “fun” into the rigorous study program. Each day there is a time for coffee and conversation between the grammar and conversation segments. Then there are many outings offered for the afternoons. These are varied and range from cultural, educational or art tours of various museums to social trips to a famous gelateria in an elegant section of Bologna.
There are follow-up opportunities on the internet which allow for continued practice which are very helpful once you return home. It is my hope to be able to return to Bologna for another two to four weeks in the near future. I am one of the more “senior” of the students and felt completely welcome throughout the month-long stay.
Bologna is a well kept secret and you will not find hoards of tourists. It is a centrally located rail hub so you can travel quickly to most major spots of interest. Study all week and travel on the weekends is my motto.
Give yourself the gift of learning a beautiful language in a beautiful spot. Madrelingua is also a 10 in my book.
Iris –
Sono stata a Madrelingua per tre volte. Già questo vuol dire che sono soddisfatta! Gli insegnanti sono bravissimi! Il clima nella scuola è molto buono.
È sempre stato anche veramente divertente!
Adesso riesco a leggere libri italiani, che prima non mi sono ritenuta capace.
10/10 anche da me!
Joe –
I studied here two years ago and have just returned this past week and I would say that my Italian has not missed a beat. I would recommend this school to anyone without hesitation. I was able to learn very well here because we spoke strictly only Italian, even if a student would struggle, we would have to find the answers with the help of the teachers, but it was never in English (which this is something you rarely see at the Universities in the states). Also since all of the teachers are Italians themselves, they are able to teach you a lot about the culture. There are people of all age groups who study here as well so if you’re a student or someone in retirement, there will be others in your age group here as well so you don’t have to worry about being too young or too old!
Lastly, I found Madrelingua because my University had them on a recommend list of schools to study at in Italy. On arrival they asked me for a review and I couldn’t say enough about this school. I would give this school a 10/10. They will even go the extra mile to help you. I ran into a few mishaps and weird situations to where I had to switch my accommodation and they helped me find another place that same day! I was stranded once out of my apartment too and they helped me get in contact with the people I needed to.
10/10 for Madrelingua
-Joe