Lugano and Locarno (Ticino) are towns of outstanding beauty, situated among palm trees on the shores of one of the most romantic lakes in the foothills of the Alps, an ideal location for an Italian language school in Switzerland. Surrounded by verdant green hills, Mount Brè (923m) and Mount San Salvadore (912m), many have compared the location to that of Rio de Janeiro. Lugano enjoys the mildest and sunniest climate in Switzerland and has that special Italian ambience as well as abounding in lovely Italian architecture. There is a wide choice of sports such as bungee jumping, skiing, rafting, and trekking with numerous special events (Film Festival Locarno, Estival Jazz…)

The Programmes
Programmes are intended for non-native speakers with a good educational background wishing to learn to speak fluent Italian. Both personal and professional linguistic interests are attentively considered. Teaching is based on communication and the student's active participation. Authentic reading materials are used as well as a theoretic approach to grammar and language structures. The teaching programme offers six levels as proposed by The European Council. A period of 12 months with a frequency of 80 lessons per month, are required to reach level C1. Level C2 can be reached with a subsequent period of 3 months. The courses are offered for a minimum of two weeks. The students will be given both written and oral examinations in order to determine the most appropriate class.

Examination Preparation Courses
Our Italian language school in Lugano Switzerland provides a certificate of attendance for all courses.

• CILS Certificate issued by the" Università per stranieri di Siena". Exams in June and December

• Certificato della Camera di Commercio, dell'Industria dell'Artigianato del Cantone Ticino. Exams in April

• ICC Certificate (International Conference Certificate). Exams in May

Intensive Course
Length of courses are from 2 weeks to 12-15 months (full cycle of six levels). Lessons are held from Monday to Friday 08h30 – 12h15 for classes of 7-9 students.

Accommodation
The language school in Switzerland can arrange various types of accommodation for the students:

• Accommodation with other students (June, July, August). Double or single room with bath/ WC breakfast and dinner included
• Accommodation with a family with single room breakfast and dinner included
• Furnished apartment (2 weeks)
• Hotel single room with bath/WC, fridge, bar, TV

Activities (Optional)
Extra-curricular activities are organised, involving students in cultural and social events, meetings and recreational activities, maximising exposure to the Italian language and culture and helping students to learn to speak fluent Italian. This includes:

• Visits to museums and art galleries
• Excursions to places of interest in the Lugano area
• Entertainments
• Conferences, debates and meetings of literary, economical and scientific interest
• Italian literature
• Movies and songs
• Italian cooking
• Canyoning, freeclimbing, cliffhanging, paragliding, mountain biking, hiking, snow boarding, skiing and diving

See also One-to-One Italian Homestays in Italy and Switzerland