Immersion Homestays in Italy

Language holidays with your private tutor

This is the most effective way to make rapid progress. You live with your teacher, who gives you one-to-one lessons tailored to your objectives and needs. You share his or her daily life and activities, and experience language immersion 24 hours a day.

You have the option of taking general language courses, courses focusing on a specific subject or exam preparation, or combining your course with other options (activities, sport or culture).

Alghero	Bari	Bologna	Brindisi	Cagliari
Catania	Cosenza	Florence	Genoa	Milan
Modena	Naples	Palermo	Pescara	Pisa
Rome	Verona	Vibo Valentia	Trieste	Turin

A personalised programme to help you achieve your goals

This personalised formula ensures rapid progress and the achievement of your objectives. It is suitable for all profiles and all ages – young people, students, adults or retired people – and for all objectives – personal, academic or professional (preparing for an exam, catching up at school, getting ahead, going on a trip, taking part in an international conference, etc.). Your teacher will adapt his or her lessons to your needs, help you to work on your weak points and help you to achieve your goals quickly.

Asyou are the only student with your teacher, you will have no contact with other foreign students and will never have the opportunity to speak your mother tongue. The intensity of the courses and the total immersion in a different culture mean that participants have to be highly committed and motivated.

Experienced and qualified teachers

All our teachers are experienced and have the necessary university qualifications. They have undergone specific training and are selected for the quality and friendliness of their welcome. In addition, they are supported by a network of teaching directors who establish teaching methods and organise ongoing training courses. They can be contacted during the stay if necessary.

An excellent quality of welcome

The family offers excellent reception conditions and is carefully selected to meet your expectations. If you are on a special diet or have certain requirements (smokers or non-smokers, children or not, etc.), it is important to let us know when you register. There is always a teacher to suit your profile: whether you are young, professional, adult or retired. The high social calibre of the host families is a guarantee of enriching and interesting contacts, and of course of progress in your chosen language.

Supervision for the very young

Many children and teenagers take part in this type of stay, as it guarantees that they will be looked after by experienced, serious families. The young person’s commitment is fundamental to the success of the holiday. We offer a ‘Cocooning’ option, which is compulsory for under-15s and highly recommended for all minors. This option guarantees the presence of an adult 24 hours a day.

Italian courses: general information

Length of lesson: 60 minutes
Timetable: flexible, depending on the teacher’s availability and your wishes. You can choose to have your lessons spread evenly over the week, or you can arrange days without lessons so that you can explore the region. This can be arranged with your teacher
Level test: on the day of your arrival. It is also possible to assess your level online beforehand
Levels accepted: all levels
Location: teachers are rarely located in the centre of town. The quality of the welcome and the skills of the teachers are prioritised over central location. We ask you to select three regions of your choice when you enrol
Certificate of attendance at the end of the course and progress report (on request)
Options: Specialised vocabulary, Cocooning (compulsory supervision for under 15s) (see “options” tab)
Qualifications: teachers have a university degree (or equivalent) and/or the agrégation (higher education diploma)
Maximum number of students per family: you will be the only participant in the programme hosted by the teacher. In very rare cases, however, one or two other students of a different nationality may also be staying with your teacher.

You can follow a standard language course programme or improve your language level in a fun way by adding activities.

Italian

You can choose between a programme of 15, 20, 25 or 30 hours of private lessons per week.

Optional extras:

Specialised vocabulary / Exam preparation
Cocooning

Italian Activities

A choice of 10, 15, 20 or 25 hours of one-to-one Italian lessons 5 hours of general activities per week

You draw up the programme of activities on site with the teacher, according to your interests and local possibilities. These activities are a good way of putting your skills into practice. All costs associated with the activities are included (travel, entrance fees, etc.). This option is available for all destinations.

Examples of activities: local visits, Bus Tour, picnic, cinema, swimming pool, mini-golf, restaurant, pubs (if 18), etc.

We recommend that younger children book this option. The activities allow them to put into practice what they have learnt in class and to practise their conversation skills while having fun.

A choice of 15, 20 or 25 hours of private Italian lessons 3 sports sessions per week

Entrance fees and transport to the sports centre are included in the price.

Sessions are individual and last approximately 1 hour. If the sessions are held in a group of a similar level to your own, they may last longer. Professional sportspeople, a member of the host family or the local organiser provide these activities.

It is important to let us know your level of sport when you register.

Horse riding: Rome

Includes: all the equipment needed to practise this sport.

Tennis: Rome

Includes: all the equipment needed to practise this sport.

A choice of 15, 20 or 25 hours of private Italian lessons 3 cultural visits of your choice from the options listed below per week.

Entrance fees and transport to the activities for you and your accompanying adult are included in the price.

The cultural visits generally take place with your language teacher, but may involve another member of your host family.

Bologna (Emilia-Romagna): Piazza Maggiore, the leaning Towers, Saint Petronius Church, Archiginnasio, Bologna National Gallery, Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
Catania (Sicily): Catania Cathedral, Piazza del Duomo, Via Etnea Shopping Street, Teatro Massimo Bellini, Ursino Castle and Museum, Benedictine Monastery, Greek-Roman Theatre
Florence: Florence Cathedral, Giotto’s Campanile, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Bargello Museum, Ponte Vecchio, Basilica of the Holy Cross, Uffizi Palace and Gallery, Church of Santa Maria Novella
Gênes (Liguria): The old town and Caruggi, Royal Palace, Palazzi dei Rolli, Strada Nuova Museums, San Lorenzo Cathedral, Lighthouse of Genoa, Ancient Port, Spianata Castelletto, Galata Maritime Museum, Aquarium of Genoa
Milan: Milan Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio, Emmanuele II, La Scala Opera House, Brera Art Gallery, Via Napoleone Fashion District, Sforza Castle, Last Supper Museum, Basilica of Saint Ambrose, Walk down the Naviglio Grande
Modena: Modena Cathedral, Ghirlandina Tower, Piazza Grande, Albinelli Market, Museum Palace, Enzo Ferrari Museum, Museum of Picture Cards (Panini)
Palermo: Palermo Cathedral, Palatina Chapel, Palace of the Normans, Teatro Massimo, Co-Cathedral of St. Mary of the Admiral, Capuchin Abbey and Catacombs, Saint John of the Hermits, Piazza Pretoria
Pistoia: Cathedral Square, Cathedral of St. Zeno, Palazzo del Comune, St. Zeno Baptistery, Saint John Fuoricivitas Church, Church of Saint Andrew
Rome: Colosseo & Campidoglio, San Pietro & Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona & Pantheon, Surrounding Town : Frascati, Nemi, Palestrina, Tivoli or Zagarolo
Trieste: Piazza Unita d’Italia, Audace Pier, Victory Lighthouse, Saint Giusto Cathedral, Miramare Castle, Roman Theatre, Giant Cave, Sistiana Bay
Turin (Piedmont): Tour of Turin city centre including Piazza Castello, Parco del Valentino & Turin Cathedral 2 visits to choose from: Egyptian Museum, National Cinema Museum, Palazzo Madama, National Automobile Museum, Juventus Stadium, Venaria Royal Palace and Gardens, La Mandria Castle
Verona: Verona Arena, Juliet’s House, Castel Vecchio Museum, Basilica of Saint Zeno, Piazza Delle Erbe, the Bridges of Verona, Piazza Bra, Piazza dei Signori

Exam Preparation/Specialised Vocabulary” option

Your teacher will design a course to prepare you for an exam (such as the Cambridge First Certificate, Proficiency, TOEIC, TOEFL) or a course to help you acquire specialist vocabulary relating to school subjects (maths, geography, literature) or technical terms in fields such as medicine, engineering, law, IT, architecture, tourism, etc. Note that the carefully selected teachers are not necessarily engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc. themselves.

Please note: the programme only offers preparation for an exam, not the opportunity to sit it. Teaching material will be provided for the above examinations. For all other exams, you will need to bring your own material (books, copies of previous exams or other documents needed to prepare for your exam).

Supplement: see “Dates & Fees” tab.

10 online lessons” option

These lessons take place on Zoom and can be added to your programme of lessons with the teacher. This option includes a minimum of 10 45-minute sessions, 5 before your stay and 5 after your stay. Get to know your teacher, prepare your lessons, revise and finalise everything you have learnt on your return

Cocooning” option

The “Cocooning” option guarantees that the teacher or an adult family member will be present at home at all times during the student’s stay. This option does not include any activities and only provides supervision. This supplement is compulsory for under-15s and strongly recommended for 16-17s.

Supplement: see “Dates & Prices” tab.

Special diet” option

If you have a special diet, it is important to let us know in advance so that the teacher can adapt. If this diet involves a great deal of effort on the part of the host family, such as a gluten-free or halal diet, a supplement will be charged.

Extra charge: please contact us.

Special needs” option

Some teachers are able to accommodate students with physical disabilities (such as visual or hearing impairments), emotional or behavioural difficulties (such as hyperactivity) or learning difficulties (such as dyslexia) , provided they are informed in advance. This option allows us to offer suitable accommodation and extra attention from the teacher. This supplement does not cover any care that may be required.

Supplement: see “Dates & Prices” tab.

Five Star” option: Luxury services

This programme is specially designed for business people and professionals, as well as their families, who are used to a high standard of living and who want more comfort. The “Five Star” programme includes a private bathroom, superior accommodation and meals, and greater attention paid to the student.

Supplement: 100% of the price of the chosen stay.

Shared stay

It is possible to take lessons in twos, threes or fours with another participant(s) of your choice, as long as it is on the same dates and for the same language level.

Discount: 20% will be given to each student if you take lessons with two people, and 25% if you take lessons with 3 or 4 people.

Senior

Students aged 60 and over receive a discount for all stays starting and finishing between October and May.

5% discount

Christmas and New Year breaks

It is possible to follow this programme during the Christmas holidays. A supplement will be applied for all stays including 24, 25, 26 or 31 December or 1 January. If your stay includes both Christmas and New Year, this supplement will apply twice. This supplement includes activities such as a New Year’s meal, a countdown to the New Year, fireworks, a visit to the city’s decorations and shopping.

Supplement: see “Dates & prices” tab.

Travel

Day of arrival: Sunday
Day of departure: Saturday (7 nights. Some teachers are flexible regarding arrival and departure dates)

Arrival station or airport: Transfer available on request (at an additional cost, see “Dates & Prices” tab)

When you receive your teacher’s profile, the nearest station, airport or port to your host family’s home will be indicated. Transfers are made by the host family, the local organiser or a private driver (usually by car, occasionally by public transport). If you do not arrive at the airport indicated or if you arrive/depart before 8am or after 9pm, prices will be increased. Students under 16 years of age must book return transfers, unless we are informed that they are accompanied by their parents.

Note: do not book your transport ticket until we have confirmed your stay and allocated you a teacher (approximately 8 days after payment of your deposit).

Visa information

Do you need a visa to follow this programme? For more information, please see our Visa Information page.

Please do not hesitate to contact us by email or telephone if you require any further information on this subject.

Dates & Prices 2024

Session starts: every week, all year round.

Prices 2024

Registration fees included

Standard program - Price per week
Number of hours/Destination	All regions
10 hours	€ 1.035
15 hours	€ 1.265
20 hours	€ 1.495
25 hours	€ 1.695
30 hours	€ 1.925
Combined program - Price per week
Activities supplement	All regions
5 hours of activities	€ 290
10 hours of activities	€ 580
15 hours of activities	€ 870
20 hours of activities	€ 1.160
Language & sport program
Sports supplement per week	Tennis	Horse riding
Rome	€ 265	€ 315
Language & culture program
Cultural visits supplement per week	3 cultural visits	4 cultural visits	5 cultural visits
all the regions	€ 285	€ 365	€ 445
Language & leisure program
Activity supplement per week	Opera	Wine tasting
Depending on the regions	€ 205	€ 205
Optional supplements (per week)
Special diet	€ 110
Extra night	€ 125
Transfer from designated airport to place of residence	€ 110
Exam preparation/Business	€ 150
Cocooning option (oblg. -15a)	€ 150
Christmas or New Year supplement	€ 150
Private bathroom option	€ 180
10 online lessons	€ 400
Special attention - Disability, dyslexia, ADHD	€ 150

*Return ticket compulsory for those aged 16 and under.

The above prices include:

The chosen course programme
Books and use of all teaching materials
Accommodation in a single room with your teacher
Full board
All taxes and registration fees
Assistance from the regional coordinator
Placement test, certificate of attendance and course report (on request)

Not included:

Travel and transfers
Any supplements (“Exam preparation/Specialised vocabulary”, “Cocooning”, “Five Star” accommodation)
New Year’s Eve supplement for all stays including 24, 25, 26 or 31 December, or 1 January
Any extra nights
Any visa fees
Optional insurance

Remarks

If 2 students of the same level wish to stay and take the course together, each participant receives a 20% discount.
If a person chooses to accompany a participant and share a room and meals without attending a course, they will receive a 20% discount.

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