TEFL Institute – Florence, Italy

TEFL Certification Course Florence Italy

Gracing Southern Europe and spilling over onto two of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Italy borders a number of countries - France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. The point of origin for a great number of European cultures - the Etruscans, the Romans - Italy was where the Renaissance first began and is still known as the center of Western Civilization. With Italian influences and ideas from the past still affecting the global community of today and tomorrow, this fascinating and historically-rich country is still a ground-breaking, progressive nation.

Earn your TEFL certification in one of the most culturally and politically-significant cities in Europe - Florence. Dante, Michelangelo, Raphael, Da Vinci, Machiavelli, Galileo Galilee. All of these great minds possess some associative link to the great city of Florence. Also known as "the Athens of the Middle Ages," Florence was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Florence 's architecture is just a small indication of the beauty and elegance contained within the walls of this magnificent city. The region's cuisine only matches the greatness of this city with Tuscany's wines and delectable dishes available around every corner. With the beauty of the city (its art, people, culture, etc.) all easily-accessible to pedestrians and the climate temperate year-round, the city of Florence is the perfect setting for the student looking to get a taste of the old world while earning an international TEFL certification.

The School

The TEFL Institute Florence center is located within the American Language Center , an established, full service language school in the historical center of Florence . The nearby Piazza della Repubblica is the commercial and residential center of town.

Our school offers its trainees access to a library of ESL teaching materials. In addition, trainees have a dedicated resource room, equipped with computers and printers and a photocopier, along with other materials for use in preparing lessons.

Tuition does cover:

• TEFL course 4 weeks tuition and 120 hour certification
• Course materials
• Job placement assistance
• Various Florence-related activities
• Basic "survival" Italian language lessons
• Housing assistance

Tuition does not cover:

• Living accommodations
• Airport pick-up/transfer to accommodations
• Additional course materials
• Meals
• Personal expenses
• International flights
• Visa, immunization

Living Accommodations/Meals

The TEFL Institute in Florence can assist in locating appropriate living accommodations to best suit the needs of TEFL participants - all available at very competitive prices. All student accommodations in Florence are either in or near the center of the city. Depending on the location of accommodations, travel time can range from 5 - 30 minutes. While our partnering institute in Florence attempts to place all participants in accommodations located within walking distance from the language school, there may be a short bus ride involved.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Shared Apartment: (with fellow students)

• Cost: beginning at €500 for one month's rent
• Allowed to use kitchen and bathroom facilities

Twin rooms* available

*Twin rooms are shared accommodations available only for participants traveling together

Independent Apartment:

• Independent/Private Apartment:
• Cost: beginning at €1000 for one month's rent
• Private, unshared accommodations
• Fully furnished studios or apartments

NOTE: a deposit of €100 is required for booking arrangements. All or partial payment will be returned if accommodations are left in satisfactory conditions.

Meals are the responsibility of the participant. Affordable meals may be purchased throughout the city of Florence at very reasonable prices.

Shared Apartment

You may book a single or twin* room in selected private apartments. These apartments are shared with students from TEFL Institute, Italian students or, sometimes, with the owner. You are allowed to use the kitchen and bathroom. All apartments are completely furnished. You will be provided with a change of towels and bed linens once a week.

COST: A single room in a shared apartment STARTS at €500 for one month's rent.

*Twin Rooms

A twin room is when two people share a room, which has one or two beds. Please not that this type of accommodation can only be booked for two people coming together for the same period. The price is per person.

COST: The price of shared room starts at €400 per person

Independent Apartment

This option is suitable for those who would like the privacy and independence of their own furnished apartment. TEFL Institute's onsite school provides furnished studios or small apartments for one person or two people traveling together. Bedrooms and bathrooms come complete with linens and towels and kitchens have all accessories.

COST: Prices START at €1000 per person for one month's rent.

NOTE: a deposit of €100 is required for booking arrangements. All or partial payment will be returned if accommodations are left in satisfactory conditions.

Meals are the responsibility of the participant. Affordable meals may be purchased throughout the city of Florence at very reasonable prices.

Florentine cuisine is quite rustic - often with various meats as the cornerstone. A popular dish (usually an appetizer) is called "antipasta" which consists of sliced bread rounds topped with various meats (i.e. prosciutto, salami, chicken liver-based páté). The famous Tuscan bread is often served alongside some of the region's famous soups ('ribollita,' 'pappa al pomodoro') along with olive oil (distinctive to each region of Italy). Be sure to try the "fiorentina," a steak of Chianina beef (a type of cattle originating in the Chiana Valley made famous for their large size) served rare atop a bed of arugula topped with slices of parmesan cheese (another staple to the Italian diet).

Arrival Information

Participants usually fly directly into the Florence Peretola Airport in Florence . Individuals wanting to see some of Italy fly into Rome (Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport), Bologna Bologna Airport or Guglielmo Marconi Airport ) or Pisa ( Galileo Galilei Airport ) and take a train to Florence .

Transfer from Airport to Host Family/Hostel

Program fee does not cover airport transfer/pick-up and reception service (NOTE: TEFL Institute does NOT offer airport drop-off/return services). Additionally, our school in Florence requests that participants take a taxi from the airport or train station. Participants are urged to retain their receipt for imbursement upon arrival at the language institute.

How can I contact the TEFL Institute (if I arrive before the start of the TEFL Florence program)?

In the event that a participant arrives before the start date, it is advised that they arrange their own accommodations and contact someone at TEFL Institute's office who will then provide participants with instructions. Details, such as the address and telephone numbers of our school in Florence , will be provided to participants in their in final placement details/pre-departure booklet.

Internet/Telephone/Medical Facilities

The city of Florence offers a variety of telecommunication and medical facilities/services. Phone and internet services are also available in various internet cafés throughout the city (some within a 5-minute walk from the TEFL Institute) with special prices offered to TEFL students of our partnering institute.

Climate

Though classified as having a Mediterranean climate, Florence has the characteristics of a humid, subtropical climate - experiencing hot humid summers with very minimal rainfall and cool, damp winters. The city's geography - surrounded by hills with a river running through it - lends to hot and humid climates from June to August with higher summertime temperatures also due in part to the lack of a prevailing wind. Rain (with some occasional snow) is a common occurrence in the winter months.

Extra Activities

Because the course is so intensive, people can spend their month here without finding the time to see the beauty of Italy . To make the most of your visit here in Florence, we can offer a number of possible excursions (for a fee) to allow you to learn more about Florence.

This is an example of some of the activities we have organized for past groups of TEFL Institute students:

Walking Tour of Florence :

From the medieval Guelph and Guibellines to the birth of the Renaissance, the city finds itself associated with such names as Dante, Michelangelo, Raphael and Da Vinci. Re-trace their steps and see the buildings that still bare evidence of the Medici's great rule, and the beautiful art and architecture left by the masters.

All day trip to Lucca :

Lucca is a tranquil, practically tourist-free city, which is still completely enclosed within its medieval walls. Home to Puccini it is a great introduction to Tuscan life.

Cooking course:

Meet a Florentine cook who will show you the basics of traditional Florentine cuisine. After class is over, sit down and enjoy eating what you've just made!

Wine Tasting:

Learn the basics of Tuscan wine in an enoteca (wine cellar) in Florence and Taste 3-4 fantastic wines accompanied by local delicacies.

Soccer Game:

See the famous Fiorentina battle it out in the 'A' series. Learn a lot of interesting new Italian swear words!

Keep your eye on the board:

We will also offer a more informal program, including dinners, drinks at the pub, and local events as they come up. These will either be posted on the bulletin board, or announced by your trainer.

Another fun excursion is to rent a bicycle while you are here and do a self-guided tour or join a tour given by a local company.