"Discover your origins"

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci

Q&A
Price
school-reference
detail

Course description

The course “Discover your origins" aims at offering to the descendants of Italian emigrants abroad the opportunity to deepen the Italian language and culture - the same their parents, grandparents, uncles have already passed them down - as well as the possibility to visit the places of origin of their ancestors!

The course includes:

4 daily Italian language group lessons with students of different nationalities;
6 weekly lessons (Monday-Wednesday-Friday) with the following program:
• history of the Italian emigration
• analysis of the region and the place where the student's ancestors started their journey
• study of the dialect spoken in the region of origin
• research on the origins of the student’s surname with the help of the teacher
• planning the visit to the place of origin of the student’s family

We offer the opportunity to visit the place of origin of the students' families together with a teacher (to be quoted apart), as well as the possibility to start and assist with the procedures for requesting the Italian citizenship (to be quoted apart).

To take part in the course it is necessary to have Italian origins, proven by a document attesting the Italian citizenship of the student or the parents / ancestors.

Minimum number of participants: 2. Please note that in the presence of only 1 participant the number of lessons related to the specific program will be reduced to 3 private lessons per week.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
2-12 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
26 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
21 Dec 2024 - 06 Jan 2025

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci does not hold classes on the holiday dates above. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

Elementary
Pre-intermediate
Intermediate
High intermediate
Advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 11 students
Maximum 14 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 28 years old

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
Read more...
school
photos

Photos

  • Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 1/19
  • Classroom at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 2/19
  • Classroom at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 3/19
  • Reception of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 4/19
  • Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 5/19
  • Classes at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 6/19
  • Entrance to Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 7/19
  • Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 8/19
  • Activities offered at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 9/19
  • Activities offered at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 10/19
  • Activities offered at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 11/19
  • Activities offered at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 12/19
  • Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 13/19
  • Activities offered at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 14/19
  • Activities offered at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 15/19
  • Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 16/19
  • Classes at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 17/19
  • Common room at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 18/19
  • Students of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci 19/19
reviews

Reviews

90% recommend

based on 10 reviews
5 stars
4
4 stars
4
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"Verdens good tanks to the group I was in"

Ketil Løken, student from Norway

I liked the classes because my fellow students were so good and active at speaking Italian also in the pauses. And the teacher Fabiano had a good arrangement for oral activity, except for Georgia, where there was less scope oral activity. What I did not like was that I had paid for 30 lessons, but only got 23.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
7 Oct 2024 - 11 Oct 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Very immersive, intensive and effective teaching method."

Alfredo Yoshimoto, student from Italy

I enrolled for 6 weeks as to cover B1 level. I had a quick chat with Veronica and immediately sent me to B1 class, they were already in their second week at that level. I spent two weeks at B1 class and then was upgraded to B2 with 4 weeks left. Spent another 2 weeks at that level and took the test with a satisfactory grade. I had to leave Milan suddenly because I had job interviews in Madrid, where I had to stay for two weeks waiting for call backs. I returned to Milan and wanted to show up to school and finish the remaining 2 weeks of classes but was denied. I truly think that this is extremely inconsiderate taking into account the amount of money I spent and how improvised my entry to B1 level was. I expected my money back at the very least. Very poor customer experience, will not recommend this school to my fellow international ex-pats.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
6 weeks
Date of study
18 Dec 2023 - 2 Feb 2024
Would you recommend this school?
No
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Interesting lessons with ups and downs"

Christine Rohweder, student from Germany

I did an intensive course, in a group in the mornings followed by a class with another student and a teacher to train conversaton.
The intensive class was really good as the teacher made us speak and helped us improve our knowledge of the language.
The lessons in the mornings were less effective. Our teacher was very friendly and helpful but he talked a lot. So I definitely learned to decode uickly spoken Italian more easily but had very little opportunity to speak it myself or do exercises with ohter students.
I didn't participate in the afternoon activities as I had booked some sights in advance.
The location: the school is centrally located, which is great. Sometimes the noise from the gym downstairs made it very difficult to listen to the teacher or another student.
IHousing: My landlady was very friendly and my room was beautiful. The housing was really great.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Housing
Date of study
23 Oct 2023 - 27 Oct 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Good learning experience and dissapointing in accomodation that was offered by the school"

Anzhela Stapleton, student from Australia

Buongiorno. Mi chiamo Anzhela Stapleton e sono la mamma di Zlata. Per quanto riguarda il programma che mia figlia Zlata Vorontsova ha fatto presso la vostra scuola, noi valutiamo che sia stato abbastanza buono.
A Zlata e' piaciuta l'atmosfera scolastica e l'approccio che hanno avuto gli insegnanti.
A scuola lei si sentiva accolta e l'interazione con gli insegnanti era leggera e piacevole. Mia figlia ha acquisito una buona conoscenza della lingua italiana e ha fatto un'esperienza fantastica.
Pero' vorrei rilasciare una recensione negativa riguardo la famiglia, raccomandata da voi, che ha ospitato mia figlia Zlata Vorontsova.
Questa era la sua prima esperienza lontana da casa per studiare e vivere indipendentemente. Purtroppo, l’inizio della sua convivenza con la famiglia ospitante e’ stata negativa. Zlata non ha avuto la possibilita’ di utilizzare servizi come cucina, soggiorno e Manuela ha limitato l’orario dell'uso della doccia (fino alle 21).
Nonostante il costo del servizio, non proprio economico, mia figlia non aveva liberta’ di fare anche le cose più semplici come riscaldare una tazzina di te’ o recarsi in soggiorno per vedere la tv per cambiare ambiente. In un certo senso si sentiva prigioniera nella sua stanza.
Inoltre la signora Manuela entrava quasi ogni giorno nella sua stanza che non e’ rispettoso della privacy di mia figlia.
Lei non si sentiva accolta e l’atmosfera non era amichevole e famigliare. Pertanto veniva spesso ripresa con messaggi Whatsapp poco gentili dalla sig.ra Manuela.
Il mio consiglio a voi e’ che se raccomandate queste abitazioni bisognerebbe che ci sia più umanita’ verso gli studenti e non pensare solo ai soldi altrimenti gli studenti possono fare a meno di queste proposte dalla scuola e usare airbnb.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
12 weeks
Date of study
6 Feb 2023 - 5 May 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Exactly what I was looking for to spend an intensive week!"

Cristiana A. , student from Spain

I liked the environment of the school and the dynamic methodology. The teacher was really good, with great energy to maintain the students engaged. The extra class activities were also interesting, offering us the opportunity to keep practicing the language while knowing different spots of the city. I definitely recommend this experience!

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
20 Feb 2023 - 24 Feb 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Excellent"

Julian Stiven Hoyos Quintero, student from Spain

I recommend the school very good to learn Italian, you also meet many friends, the activities of the school are excellent

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
18 Jul 2022 - 29 Jul 2022
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"A week to learn in a dynamic and fun way"

Laura Rodero Tejedor, student from Spain

The school was perfect for what I was looking for: all those who work there do it with sympathy and willingness.
I liked the teacher very much, as I have already said, I improved my Italian in a dynamic and very fun way

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
30 Aug 2021 - 3 Sep 2021
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"This is a great experience for learning how to speak Italian!"

Bianca Gagliano, student from USA

This was a great experience, the teachers were very helpful and good at teaching the Italian class. I felt like they put me in a more advanced class than i should have been. The location of the school was very far from my host family where i was staying, i had to take 2 buses to school and the host family were not a big help, they gave me the directions from their house to the school by bus on a peice of paper written in Italian! So i am there to learn italian and the point is i didn’t understand the directions. I missed the bus multiple times. The breakfast was not good at all, it was dry toast with jam which i didnt eat at all and they continued to give it to me every morning without bothering to ask what kind of breakfast do i like. I felt like they were a little cold. Also where they lived was so out from the city at night walking home it felt a little scary.
But the school was good. They should also teach more speaking italian for traveling.

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Date of study
11 Nov 2019 - 15 Nov 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Very enjoyable and well organised, the teacher made learning fun."

Jennifer C aldwell, student from UK

I attended the Dolce Vita course. We had lessons in the morning and went on outings in the afternoon or evening. The classes were fun and the teacher was very good. I won’t forget what I learnt. The outings were interesting and our guide was very helpful and well informed. I was disappointed however that no arrangements had been made to visit the famous fresco of the Last Supper by Leonardo do Vinci which we discovered was booked up. As everyone who comes to Milan wants to see this fresco I would have thought arrangements could have been made early enough to get tickets. Also it would have helped to know the programme for the course before arriving. I was given a sheet of paper with details of how to find the school on the first morning by which time I had found the school! However overall I would definitely recommend this school to foreign students .

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
9 Sep 2019 - 13 Sep 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Well organized, very frindly and competent school"

Rainer Meffert, student from Germany

There is no point of substantial critique. I had a very good time in Milano. The location was perfect. I chose my room with airBnB in Navili very close to the School. I took a bike given by my host for no costs to ride to the School. Navili is only 2,5km away from the school. It is a lively area with many Pubs und Restaurants. Nice place.

My teachers Giuliana and Fabiano were excellent teachers. Clear, friendly, well prepared, experienced. I could spend only 2 weeks there. I would have wished to spend 3-4 weeks for the language but my holidays were not long enough.

The classmates were international (China, Scandinavia, Germany, England, Netherlands, Argentina) and all explanations were done clearly in Italian. Drinks and snacks were available for low costs.

I highly recommend the School without restrictions

Read more...

My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
19 Aug 2019 - 30 Aug 2019
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

Scuola Leonardo da Vinci offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single room - Breakfast

300 €
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Heating
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
300 €
The school collaborates with trustful host families. The word "family" should not be taken too literally, as a family can be traditional with children, a single parent or a childless couple who take in students because they enjoy the company.

Breakfast usually consists of coffee or tea and bread, butter and marmalade. Students are not allowed to use the kitchen or do the laundry by themselves (the use of the washing-machine is not included, but arrangements may be made between the landlord and the student).

Homestay - Single room - Half board (breakfast and dinner)

396 €
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Heating
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
396 €
The school collaborates with trustful host families. The word "family" should not be taken too literally, as a family can be traditional with children, a single parent or a childless couple who take in students because they enjoy the company.

Students have their meals (breakfast and dinner) together with the family but they should be aware that Italian eating habits can be rather different from their own. Breakfast usually consists of coffee or tea and bread, butter and marmalade. Dinner is a complete meal served normally around 8 pm. Students are not allowed to use the kitchen or do the laundry by themselves (the use of the washing-machine is not included, but arrangements may be made between the landlord and the student).
apartment

Shared apartment - Single room - No meals

270 €
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, and heating
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
270 €
The shared apartments are often between 30 and 40 minutes away from the school by public transport. The student has his/her private room, but shares bathroom and kitchen with other students or with the owner.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged 40 € when you register.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Milan based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

Read more...
questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from Scuola Leonardo da Vinci staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

Ask a question
Show prices