You’ve decided to study Italian and master the language and culture of il Bel Paese. Perfetto!
Here we suggest 3 great places to study Italian in Tuscany, Italy. From Florence, where the Italian language was actually born, to Pisa and Siena – home to great universities and plenty of activities for students.
Why should you choose Tuscany to study Italian? Unlike in the rest of Italy, Tuscany is the region in Italy where there are no real dialects. Here you can hear different accents that vary from town to town, and the occasional dialect expression, but the way we speak in Tuscany is the closest one to standard Italian.
Best Places to study Italian in Tuscany, Italy
1. FLORENCE
Have you heard of Dante Alighieri, the author of the Divine Comedy? He’s considered to be the Father of Italian language, and he was born in Florence. He used the Tuscan dialect to write his masterpiece and by doing so, he gave birth to the Italian language. What better place to study Italian than the city where the language was effectively born?
Florence has a range of language school and International Universities, where you find courses for all tastes and level. From short, part-time courses to full time masters degrees. Being the city where the Renaissance originated, Florence also focuses on art history and creative arts, with plenty of art courses and top-class museums and galleries.
If you decide to stay in Florence to study, some of the schools will find accommodation for you, and help you get acquainted with the city. They also offer plenty of opportunities to tour around and better enjoy the city. Check out the renowned Lorenzo de’ Medici International Institute and Centro Machiavelli in the Oltrarno neighbourhood.
Keep in mind that Florence is one of Italy’s top destinations for tourists and international students, so you’ll be in good company! It’s very easy to find people to hang out with. The city’s historic centre is small enough so that you can basically go anywhere on foot or with a short bus ride.
Florence is also a great choice for anyone planning to do some English teaching in Italy, a way to earn some money while perfecting your language skills. You can apply to one of the city’s many language schools, or do some private tutoring.
What to expect in Florence -> nightlife, plenty of cool bars and enoteche, great food for all budgets, amazing museums, international vibe, massive student community.
=> 10 Non-Touristy Things to do in Florence
=> Tip for student travel in Italy
=> Top Places for an Aperitivo in San Frediano, Florence
2. PISA
Carrying on with the big names, Pisa University was the place where Galileo once studied and taught Mathematics. An impressive fact about this University that it was first founded in the 14th century, and that today it offers Italian languages course to its students. It also offers student services and academic guidance to help you with your curriculum.
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In Pisa you also find many language schools and courses on offer: intensive, long term courses and also chance to have individually tailored lessons.
Pisa attractions include the world-famous Leaning Tower, but if you spend some time here, you’ll discover that this town has many more sights to enjoy.
What to expect in Pisa -> Pisa is a welcoming place, with a nice, laid-back feel. Smaller and cheaper than Florence (for accommodation and food), it’s also conveniently located near the Tuscan coast. So you could combine your stay with trip to the beach to explore some of Tuscany’s popular coastal resorts.
3. SIENA
If you’re a fan of the Medieval, don’t look any further. Siena might be the exact place for you to learn Italian. Siena is home to a renowned University for Foreign Students, and attracts thousands of international learners every year.
The University for Foreigners of Siena is a public university that also specialises in the area of Italian language and culture in the world. As we read on their site, “the university has received the European Label for Languages eleven times, from 2004 to 2018. This is an award given by the European Union for language projects that have promoted the teaching and learning of languages through innovation and effective teaching practices, encouraging awareness of European linguistic heritage and motivating citizens to pursue multilingualism throughout their lives” – see all the courses and offering in the Universtiy of Siena official site.
=> Check out some more Great Cities where to study in Europe and the Best University Towns in Italy.
What’s special about Siena? Siena is a unique place, still partly enclosed by Medieval walls. It’s divided in contrade (historic districts) – that compete every year in the historic horse race Il Palio – that give a distinct flavour to every corner of the town. It’s a small centre that’s easy to navigate, with a magical atmosphere lent to it by its unusually well-preserved medieval architecture.
What to expect in Siena -> Plenty of bars and nice trattorie to go out, traditions to learn, Medieval art and history at hand. Location wise, Siena is close to Tuscany’s most beautiful countryside: the Chianti wine region and Val d’Orcia, with famous idyllic landscapes that are to die for.
=> 12 Top Things to do in Siena
=> Useful Travel safety rules for students in Italy
=> A Student’s Guide to Exploring Italy on a budget
