Ideal for students who are looking to be in the historic centre of Rome near Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo and Saint Peter’s Basilica.
Not ideal for students who want to be serious all the time with their studies.
The good
- Access to a library right opposite the school.
- 30+ unique courses, historical, academic and cultural courses.
The bad
- Not mobility accessible.
- Small communal area.
Date of my inspection visit at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma: June 10, 2024.
My overall take
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma is in a fantastic location, in the heart of Rome. The closest bus and tram stop is less than 10 minutes away with direct links to some of the larger city landmarks i.e. the Colosseo, Fontana di Trevi etc, but there are other notable areas within walking distance of the school also for example Campo de’ Fiori.
Fun Fact : Eat, Pray, Love actress Elizabeth Gilbert was a student at the school and there are some tours tailored around the popular places in the movie.
At Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma courses are tailored to the exact needs of each student. As one of the oldest schools in Rome, almost 40 years old, experience is its unique selling point. The teachers are very experienced and qualified. They are also a recognised examination centre with CILS.
A lot of the lessons integrate activities outside the classroom during lesson time, and sometimes they organise art and fashion programmes (3 times a week) where they spend part of the lesson inside AND outside of the class (e.g. learning about baroque fashion). Flexibility with the students’ needs is what keeps these courses so interesting and immersive
In conclusion, students who want to share their experiences with others, believe in cooperative learning, want to learn about the Italian language and culture, and, above all, want to have fun would be the ideal students for this school.
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Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.3 (282 ratings) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Average Max. 14 students in Standard Italian course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Good diversity Top nationality: European 40% of the whole student body, they are pretty equal in each country |
| Learning intensity | 2.5 hours of homework per week |
| Number of students | 220 adults in July 180 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 16 years |
| Accreditations | ALTO, ASILS, EDUITALIA, ELITE, FIYTO, ISO 9000/9001, NAFSA, Bildungsurlaub, CSN, Ministry of Education, CILS examination center, DITALS examination center |
| Course range | Super Intensive Course Intensive Course Long-Term CSN Course Discover Your Origins Fine Arts Course Italian Tour Italy Today – Language and Culture Course One-to-One Lessons Two-to-One Lessons Three-to-One Lessons Four-to-One Lessons Super Intensive Small Group Course La Dolce Vita 50+ Course Italian Language Course for Families Academic School Semester – Gap Semester Academic School Year – Gap Year Italian Plus Volunteering University Preparation Course (Italian Track) Professional Course Preparation Course for Fashion and Design Academies IMAT Exam Preparation CILS Exam Preparation Diploma Firenze Courses for Music Specialisation: Canto and Diction for Singers Course Courses for Music Specialisation: Canto and Diction for Singers Course with Coaching Courses for Music Specialisation: Instrument Course Courses for Music Specialisation: Instrument Course with Coaching Courses for Music Specialisation: The Language of the Libretti Italian Cuisine Art History Italian Wines |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Shared Apartments |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 20 lessons/week: 45min/lesson | 1 week: €250 3 weeks: €660 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €70 Course material fee: none |
| Price level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all) | €16.20 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.
“There is no age to be in this school, so if you feel like going and finding new people to discover the culture with, you can come and see for yourself; it’s really good!“
Flavia
30 years from Brazil
“I really like the mix of students. There are people from all over the world and all ages.“
Aafke
19 years from Netherlands
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Teodora & Francesca, Administration & Study Coordinators of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “We are very friendly, customer oriented and flexible, we try to make your stay the best. We know how to have fun as well!”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “All students are welcome. But the students that want to share their experiences, want to know the Italian culture and language through fun. We trust the communicative and cooperative method; the best way to learn a language is peer to peer.”
School inspection report
Classrooms
The classrooms are a little dated and historical, but the school building is listed, so there is an air of that old Renaissance charm. There are interactive whiteboards in some classrooms, and they are waiting for the installation of others. CD players are used for audio in lessons, projectors for films, and WhatsApp groups are used to send additional resources, e.g., music.
Facilities
There are few noteworthy facilities, but there is a small seating area at the school entrance and a vending machine towards the back of the school. Also, just as a heads up, the school’s reception is on the ground floor in an adjacent building.
Surrounding area
Some of the noteworthy landmarks and museums that are less than a 10-minute walk away from the school include Piazza Navona, Museo di Roma—Palazzo Braschi, Via Giulia, and Campo de’ Fiori. The Pantheon is also only a 12-minute walk away. Many restaurants and cafes are on the main street, two minutes from the school building. For more touristy options, visit the Campo de’ Fiori area.
Social activities
Students are offered a social activity at least every other day, changing weekly. Options include wine-tasting activities, pizzeria visits, and even movie screenings. Excursions outside the city are also available, usually at the weekend. They also promote other activities available in Rome that the students can freely attend (not part of the school’s social programme).
Trusted student ratings of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma on the web
| Total | 4.3 (282 ratings) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.3 (246 ratings) |
| Boa Lingua | 4.4 (36 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 Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma
Piazza dell’Orologio, 7, 00186 Roma, Italy
Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Roma – Reviews & Exclusive Discounts at LanguageCourse.net »
