L'Accademia Language School, Cagliari, Italy

L'Accademia approaches learning from a unique perspective. Through their fifteen years of experience, they've found that the Montessori Method, most commonly associated with children, carries over to students who are learning a new language. This method emphasizes the idea that no two students are alike, that learning periods vary, and that no student should feel ashamed of their learning style or of how long it takes them to learn new concepts. As a result, L'Accademia teachers have been trained to tailor their programs and each lesson to their students' needs, assuring that students find success no matter their level. Italian students are able to choose whether they prefer General Italian, General Italian plus Conversation, or individual tutoring, and individual tutoring can be added to a normal course. The school arranges for students to stay in flats near campus with native Italian roommates, pairing students with flatmates who will help them adapt to life in Italy, assist them in learning more about the language and culture, and likely become lifelong friends. Each week the staff arranges a free tour of a location around the city as well as an Italian movie night, and other extra excursions are available for students who would like to accompany teachers to local restaurants or museums. Students at L'Accademia will have the privilege of living on the island of Sardinia during their tenure at the school. This beautiful, relaxed island is the perfect location to learn language and drink in Italian culture. The city of Cagliari, the capital of the island, has been a point of interest since pre-historic times and therefore bears the marks of years of history. The well-preserved Castello Quarter sits on a hill above the rest of the city and offers a trip back in time with medieval walls, cobblestone streets, the Cagliari Cathedral, quaint restaurants, and museums that explain the history of the island. The Quarter is only a ten minute walk from the L'Accademia campus, and on the way students will pass the Bastione Saint Remy where local events are held on a regular basis. Only ten minutes outside the city by car is the Molentargius-Saline Regional Park where students can enjoy the outdoors and local flora and fauna. Multiple beaches are situated near the campus where students can relax in the sun, study, and chat with locals in their ever-advancing Italian.