Ideal for students who want to be in a luxury location.
Not ideal for students who are on a budget.
The good
- Modern and upscale building
- Small and intimate school with small classes.
- Technologically advanced.
The bad
- Very expensive language school.
Date of my inspection visit at Italianme Florence: June 4, 2024.
My overall take
Italianme in Florence is located on Via de’ Tornabuoni, one of Florence’s luxury shopping streets. It is right by the river, so students can have lunch or a quick gelato while strolling with scenic views. The closest museums you cannot miss are Museo di Palazzo Davanzati and Palazzo Corsini, where prestigious events are sometimes held.
This is one of the only schools I have come across with no fixed assessments; the teacher evaluates the students’ progression, and each Monday, any level speaker can join the school and course (unlike many other schools). The teachers mix conversation and grammar – they call this “the Italian in use” method; this is unique to the typical school’s structure; it is not so rigid in the number of hours spent learning strictly grammar vs conversation and speaking. The teachers adapt their lessons to the needs and wants of the students as the lessons go along. This is also possible because the classes are so small, with a maximum of 8 but an average of 5 students; despite the class size, students are not charged any more or less, which is a massive perk if you ask me.
The stand out element at Italianme was the technology used at the school, using the latest iPad and televisions so that the teachers do the bulk of the writing and note taking, then are able to easily send it straight to the students after class.
Italianme has a clear demographic. Mature adult students (not children) are the typical clientele, interested in the Italian language, the art scene, food, and architecture. And as Francesca so eloquently put it, someone looking to discover the Italian in themselves.
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Italianme Florence at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.9 (29 ratings) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Very Small Max. 8 students in Standard Italian course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Average diversity. No nationality more than 20%. Top nationality: USA |
| Learning intensity | 2.5 hours of optional homework per week |
| Number of students | 30 adults in July 40 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 18 years |
| Accreditations | LICET, Ministry of Education in Italy, UNISTRATA |
| Course range | Standard, Junior, Business, Business for specific professions, IELTS, Cambridge exam |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Residence, Studios |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: €630 3 weeks: €1790 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €60 Course material fee: none |
| Price level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €41.10 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfiltered comments from random students I met at the school and asked about their experience.
“I really enjoyed the small classroom opportunities. There was more one-on-one time. I think there were only 8 or 9 of us in any class.“
Cici
from Australia
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Francesca Bertocci , School Director of Italianme Florence.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “The maximum number of students in each class. We have a maximum of 8 students in each class, and this is ideal for us because we think that the small number of students can be an advantage, and it mixes the advantages of private and group classes.“
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “An adult person over 18 years old who is interested not only in the language but also in the culture. They are interested in discovering the Italian that is in them.“
School inspection report
Classrooms
Classrooms are bright and well-furnished with new equipment. All classrooms use an iPad and TV during their lessons.
Facilities
There isn’t a large communal area, but there is an “honest coffee bar” where coffee and snacks are offered to students, who are free to donate however much they think their snacks are worth. The school, in general, is very modern.
Surrounding area
Italianme is located on Via de’ Tornabuoni, with high-end luxury fashion houses all around, including Dior, Ferragamo, etc. There are no cafes or restaurants directly on this road, but there are many options within walking distance.
Social activities
All activities are in Italian. The teachers guide the activities so they can communicate with students of different levels. The range of activities is smaller than some other schools.
Trusted student ratings of Italianme Florence on the web
| Total | 4.9 (29 ratings) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.9 (29 ratings) |
Ratings as of June 28, 2024
Why no Google or Facebook ratings? Schools may have requested Facebook, Google or Trustpilot reviews only from those students that previously gave positive after-course evaluations. I only trust ratings from independent booking platforms/agencies, that allow exclusively clients who booked via their platform to rate the schools. I have checked each of these sites above and they have no disproportional number of positive vs negative reviews.
Location of Italianme Florence
Via de’ Tornabuoni, 1, 50123 Firenze, Italy
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