italianme useful information

Payment can be received online with one of these options: wire transfer, credit card, PayPal. If you do not require a visa, you have to pay in advance 30% of the total due plus the registration fee, and when we receive it, we will send you the confirmation letter. The balance must be paid 15 days before the beginning of the course.

The registration fee is not refunded under any circumstances.

Students must advise italianme of course cancellation at least 15 days in advance in order to receive a 75% refund for the course.

Students must advise italianme of course cancellation between 14 and 8 days in advance in order to receive a 50% refund.

If communication of course cancellation is provided less than 7 days before the beginning of the course, italianme won’t provide any refund.

Once the course has begun, no refund will be provided, neither for discontinuous attendance, nor for leaving early.

In case of force majeure (owing to a cause beyond student’s control) it is possible to have a voucher to be used within 12 months.

Students coming from outside the UE borders may need to apply for a tourist and/or student visa. For applications and information, you will need to contact an Italian consulate or embassy in your country of residence or departure.italianme can provide a Certificate of Registration for the purpose of meeting the visa requirements. In order to obtain the Certificate of Registration from italianme, you will need to have paid the whole amount of the course.

Our Italian school is located in the heart of Florence, in Via Tornabuoni n.1, very close to Ponte Vecchio and 5 minute walk from Duomo and Palazzo Vecchio.

Coming from Florence’s main train station Santa Maria Novella (SMN) to reach the school take Via Panzani, turn right in Via dei Rondinelli, go straight and walk along Via Tornabuoni. A few steps before the bridge you will find #1 on your right-hand side. It takes about 5 minutes.

Coming from Pisa’s Airport Galileo Galilei, you can catch a train from Pisa’s central Station or take a bus which connects the Airport to Firenze’s Santa Maria Novella station.

Coming from Florence’s airport Amerigo Vespucci (or commonly known as Peretola) you can take a taxi or a VOLAINBUS ATAF bus to Santa Maria Novella station, either way, you will be in the center in 20 -30 minutes.

If you want to catch a bus from your accommodation, please ask our secretary, we will give all the information.

A few days before the beginning of the lessons, you will receive via email your personal file with all the important information regarding your courses.

You will have to arrive at school by 9:00 am. You will be greeted by italianme staff and receive all the necessary materials for your studies.

For the porpouse of admission to the classes, all students must have attained the age of 18 by the time they send the application. Our students of Italian Language Courses are generally adults coming from all over the world. They have an interest in learning the Italian language for professional purposes, an interest in culture, to reconnect with their roots or simply to be able to travel throughout Italy with a deeper connection to the people and culture.

Our classes hold no more than 8 students and are customized towards their interests, and based on their level of knowledge of Italian.  We believe that a small-sized classroom combines the advantage of a group class with the benefits of 1:1 interaction.

On completing the online application, you will take a test to evaluate your starting level. When you arrive you will have a meeting with a member of the staff who will be able to answer all your questions about the school and our methods.

Classes are held for 4 hours in the morning.  Each class is 45 minutes.

Classes begin at 9:30 am and finish at 12:45pm, with a 15 minutes break. The length of the class is based on the student’s ability to concentrate and is conceived around the small number of students in each group, which requires a deep and constant involvement of all the students in the classroom.

During the morning there will be the opportunity to combine both language study and conversation with relaxation time with friends, reading or preparation for the next class.  At the end of your journey you will receive a certificate of attendance that will show your level of knowledge of Italian.

Classes take place, unless otherwise noted, from Monday to Friday, in the morning or afternoon, and on Saturday morning. There are no classes on Sunday or official Italian holidays.

At the end of the course you will receive a Certificate of Attendance with all the information about the course level and length as per the QCER.

Article 13 of D.Lgs. 196/2003

In accordance with Art 13 Decree Law 196/2003, we inform you that sending your personal data and/or sending a request of information and/or a request of booking or requesting a subscription of our newsletter, will involve processing of your personal data, which italianme owned by BFB Lingua e cultura s.r.l. carries out in full respect of your rights, your fundamental freedoms and in compliance with the security measures provided by law.

Your personal data will be processed exclusively with the purpose of offering and realizing Italian courses and of sending you periodical communications and promotions carried out by Italian me. Acquiring consent is obligatory for the transmission of your personal data, newsletter subscription /booking request and information request.

The data will be processed with both computerized mediums and on paper and will be kept in the office of Italian me owned by BFB Lingua e Cultura srl, via Cola di Rienzo 212 00192 Roma, Italy. You are entitled at any time to exercise your rights in regard to the data processing owner, in accordance with Art. 7 of Decree Law 196/2003. That is, you can request confirmation of the existence of personal data, even if not yet recorded, and communication of said data in intelligible form. You are also entitled to ask for updates or removal of your personal data, either wholly or in part.

The data processing owner is italianme.

In case of divergent interpretations the Italian version shall prevail.

MONEY/CREDIT CARDS

The official Italian currency is Euro (€). Our advise is to bring some cash with you for the first days (for your shopping, espresso, ecc) In the center, all the main credit cards are accepted, and you can also use them to withdraw cash at the ATM machines (Bancomat in Italy).

If you like shopping in the local markets where the florentine ladies usually buy fresh fruit, vegetables and local food, remember that you can’t pay with your credit card, but you will need some “spiccioli” (small change)!

ELECTRICITY

Italy uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Additionally, wall sockets and plugs may differ from those in your country.

Be sure to get information about the possible need for an adapter.

INSURANCE

Students are not insured against illness, accidents, theft or loss of personal possessions.

We therefore recommend taking out a personal insurance policy.

HEALTH

If you need first-aid service in the Emergency Room of the hospital you will have to pay a ticket.

We can provide a doctor whenever you are in need of a consultation or medical care.

In Florence there are pharmacies that remain open 24/7.

TRAIN

Italy has very good rail system. Check the Trenitalia link www.trenitalia.com and Italo train one www.italotreno.it for the schedule and prices.

CAR

The road and motorway network is very good in Italy. Usually it is not allowed to park in the center of historic cities . Everywhere in the center of Florence, assuming it is not prohibited, they charge for a parking in the blue striped parking lot during the day, but it is free from 8:00 pm to 8:00 am.

Some garages are available near the school, but remember, a car is not necessary in Florence!

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

In Florence you don’t need to use a car to get around, you can use a bike, a bus or you can walk. Ask our staff how to rent or buy a bike.

If you want to catch an ATAF bus, the orange ones, remember to buy a ticket before getting on. You can buy it at the tobacconist’s (with a T sign) or at the newsstand. If you didn’t get a ticket before getting on the bus, you can ask the driver, but it will cost you double, or you can buy a ticket with your phone, if it is programmed to do it. Remember to stamp your ticket once on the bus, otherwise it is not valid.

For all the possibilities or seasonal or special tickets, ask our staff or check the website www.ataf.net

Taxis are another way of getting around, but remember that they are the most expensive! All the necessary information about taxis is available at www.4390.ito www.4242.it