Academic School Year - "Gap Year"

SLD provided the perfect mix of theoretical grammar and practical day to day communication, I had very basic Italian coming in and left with enough conversational skills to speak to native italians including my Nonna! They also provided plenty opportunities to get to know the city of Florence and its surroundings, social events so the students could mingle and get to know each other.

Excellent course; lessons at a good pace. Helpful resources provided and some opportunity for discussion.

I started in January and finished my time at Scuola Leonardo in May. I decided to stay on my own in an apartment in Santo Spirito. My landlady was fantastic and helped make my stay so easy. All the teachers I had (a total of 3) were outstanding. Monica, who I had the longest, made sure everyone engaged in conversation and did not hold back on discussing complex topics. I felt prepared to take the CILS B2 exam at the end of May. I decided to take it one level down from what I finished at (C1) based on the recommendations from Scuola Leonardo. It made the testing process so much less stressful. Overall, it was more than I could've hoped for, and I advise anyone looking at the school to go.

I liked it a lot although it was too much to have 4,5 hours intense course with very short pauses. I should have chosen private lessons in the afternoon. Too many young people in my class so that made me feel a bit lonely as I did not get to know anyone. Next time I will chose La Dolce Vita maybe. The teachers were excellent, competent and really nice. Location perfect very central. Cultural interesting activities. I stayed close to the school in a lady's apartment and it was comfortable and clean.

I fell in love with Florence and I highly recommend the school. I did not get enough opportunity to speak and I lack fluency in the language.