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Club 50+

BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
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Course description

***this programme must be booked in combination with two weeks of Intensive course (4 lessons a day), accommodation not included***

This program is specifically geared to travelers over 50 who want to study Italian and, at the same time, learn more about the history, culture, traditions and society of Sicily including cooking, food and wines of Sicily!!! It's the perfect way to enjoy a full cultural experience in a leisure time while socializing with new friends. Language classes take place in the morning, with a whole range of cultural activities and excursions following in the afternoons and evenings.
Program details:

• Saturday/Sunday Arrival day
• Monday Lunch together at school & orientation and information
“Taormina: an open air Art History lesson!” (guided walking tour)
• Tuesday “History of Sicily” (lecture at school)
• Wednesday Trip to Etna (half-day hiking excursion)
• Thursday “Sicilia in bocca!” (cooking lesson: cooking & tasting)
• Friday free day
• Saturday/Sunday Trip to Siracuse, Neapolis and Ortigia (full day guided excursion)
• Monday free day
• Tuesday “The Sicilian Writers in the Italian Literature” (lecture at school)
• Wednesday Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, the places of movie "Il Padrino" (half-day guided excursion)
• Thursday “Cheese & Wines of Sicily” (lecture & tasting)
• Saturday/Sunday Departure day

More information:

• this programme must be booked in combination with two weeks of Intensive course (4 lessons a day), accomodation not included

• 50+ students can have language classes on their own (50+ students only) for false beginner/elementary/intermediate level, given that we have at least 3 50+ students per level, otherwise we will guarantee the level in our regular classes

• the program is open to Absolute Beginners too. Absolute Beginners 50+ students will have their classes with our regular Absolute Beginners students.

• the social, cultural, leisure program will be run mostly in Italian, some English might be used only to summarize the content of the activities or guided tours

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
2 weeks
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

Morning session
09:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Morning session
11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Activity
02:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test on your first day to determine your class level. You may also take this test before your arrival in Taormina.

Class size

Average 6 students
Maximum 12 students

Student age

Age range 50 - 90 years old
Average 40 years old
(30 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

Our Centre is located in the heart of world famous Taormina, the most beautiful town in Sicily. Taormina, from atop Mount Tauro, looks over the Bay of Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 735 b.C. The magnificent Mediterranean-blue bay with active volcano Mount Etna in the background offer a spectacular view from almost everywhere in town. Taormina is famous for its beauty, its incredible heritage, history, archaeology and architecture, as well as for its reputation in welcoming travellers. Taormina is perfectly situated to offer students easy access to the beautiful and historically important treasures of Sicily.

Since 1992, we, the Centre for Italian Studies “BABILONIA” in Taormina, Sicily have passionately dedicated ourselves to promoting our Italian and Sicilian heritage and culture along with the study of the Italian language. We strive to not only offer an opportunity to learn the Italian language and to directly experience Italian culture and Italian life.

Our courses and programs are held at “Casa Silva”, an historic villa, built in 1817 just 200 metres away from the Greek Theatre: an architectural, natural and historical treasure that Taormina has miraculously managed to conserve. The villa still today boasts a luxurious botanical garden filled with citrus trees, Mediterranean plants, centuries-old palms, monkey puzzle trees and magnolias, as well as many other exotic trees and plants.

Babilonia is not just a language school, but truly a Cultural Centre, open both to the local community and to our international students who gain a wider cultural experience and have the chance to easily interact and integrate with the local community

A language is the result of a culture and its traditions, its history, its lifestyle and its places. With this in mind, if you want a fuller cultural experience in Sicily, and not just to be a simple tourist but be a real traveller, you can combine a group Italian language course or private Italian lessons with our

Italian plus programs:

· Italian plus Sicilian Cooking (more info here )
· Italian plus Wine & food of Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Sicilian pottery & ceramic decoration (more info here )
· Italian plus Hiking & trekking in Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Diving in Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Golf in Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Literature (more info here )
· Italian plus Art History (more info here )
· Italian plus History (more info here )

and, for those who wish a more exclusive and intensive package with 50+ fellows, a special invitation to join our “Golden Sicily” program.

We hope to welcome you soon to Taormina, Sicily and offer the opportunity to discover our island so full of history, so full of culture, so full of inspiration!

Year opened
1992
Number of classrooms
7

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • TV Room
  • Eating Area
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • After-Class Seminars
  • Studying Area
  • Sports Activities

Teacher qualifications

Native Italian speakers
All
Teachers with Italian teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

University partners

has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in Italy. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.

University of Italian Studies for Foreigners of Perugia

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 40. In the summer, the average age is 30.

teaches students from all over the world, including:

USA
19%
Germany
14%
Switzerland
14%
Russia
6%
Netherlands
5%
UK
5%
Other
37%

School holidays

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

Our Centre is located in the heart of world-famous Taormina, the most beautiful town in Sicily. Taormina, from atop Mount Tauro, looks over the Bay of Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 735 b.C. The magnificent Mediterranean-blue bay with active volcano Mount Etna in the background offers a spectacular view from almost everywhere in town. Taormina is famous for its beauty, its incredible heritage, history, archaeology, and architecture, as well as for its reputation in welcoming travelers. Taormina is perfectly situated to offer students easy access to the beautiful and historically important treasures of Sicily.

Since 1992, we, the Centre for Italian Studies “BABILONIA” in Taormina, Sicily have passionately dedicated ourselves to promoting our Italian and Sicilian heritage and culture along with the study of the Italian language. We strive to not only offer an opportunity to learn the Italian language and to directly experience Italian culture and Italian life.

Our courses and programs are held at “Casa Silva”, a historic villa, built in 1817 just 200 meters away from the Greek Theatre: an architectural, natural and historical treasure that Taormina has miraculously managed to conserve. The villa still today boasts a luxurious botanical garden filled with citrus trees, Mediterranean plants, centuries-old palms, monkey puzzle trees, and magnolias, as well as many other exotic trees and plants.

Babilonia is not just a language school, but truly a Cultural Centre, open both to the local community and to our international students who gain wider cultural experience and have the chance to easily interact and integrate with the local community

A language is the result of a culture and its traditions, its history, its lifestyle and its places. With this in mind, if you want a fuller cultural experience in Sicily, and not just to be a simple tourist but be a real traveler, you can combine a group Italian language course or private Italian lessons with our

Italian plus programs:

· Italian plus Sicilian Cooking (more info here )
· Italian plus Wine & food of Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Sicilian pottery & ceramic decoration (more info here )
· Italian plus Hiking & trekking in Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Diving in Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Golf in Sicily (more info here )
· Italian plus Literature (more info here )
· Italian plus Art History (more info here )
· Italian plus History (more info here )

and, for those who wish a more exclusive and intensive package with 50+ fellows, a special invitation to join our “Golden Sicily” program.

We hope to welcome you soon to Taormina, Sicily and offer the opportunity to discover our island so full of history, so full of culture, so full of inspiration!

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Classroom at BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 1/15
  • City of Taormina 2/15
  • City of Taormina 3/15
  • City of Taormina 4/15
  • City of Taormina 5/15
  • Intensive course 6/15
  • Classroom at BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 7/15
  • Students of BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 8/15
  • Building of BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 9/15
  • Entrance to BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 10/15
  • Eco-Tour 11/15
  • Building of BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 12/15
  • Building of BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 13/15
  • Cooking-Class 14/15
  • Entrance to BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 15/15
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 3 reviews
5 stars
0
4 stars
2
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"Very pleasant experience"

Birgit Botwinow, student from Austria

The first week was unfortunately not very efficient for me because I joined a level too low, I was quite underchallenged….that‘s why I rated with 4 stars.
The second week was perfect - right level and small group.
The teacher was very flexible, adjusted the lessons to our question and demanded always enough to keep us concentrated and interested.
The location is magic - you enter the class rooms from an inner yard where you find a restaurant in a wonderful garden.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
20 May 2024 - 31 May 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"Good stay"

Annette Jessen, student from Denmark

I liked it all, the first day too much confusion about finding the right level. Housing fine.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Date of study
23 Oct 2017 - 27 Oct 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.

"A nice experience in a beautiful place."

Anni Karma, student from Finland

The class was appropriate according my skills. We were 8 participants in the section communicative,( semistandard course). The location of the school is charming, in the very center of Taormina, an old historical place with a beautiful garden. The school offered extra activities dealing with Italian cooking, knowledge of Italian wines, ceramics, sport activities and diving. In addition it was possible to participate in lessons on Sicilian writers, history of Sicilia and on history of the Sicilian art. The school offered possibilities to accommodate in the rooms arranged by the Babilonia center. I did not take part in any extra activities and lived in a hotel arranged by myself. I traveled with my husband.

I had two teachers during the week: A young lady and a young man. The lady was very talented and I felt that I progressed in my skills a bit. The same I cannot say of the male teacher: I had a feeling that he did not concentrate on the teaching enough. The subjects he spoke about were too large, too difficult and he did not clarified properly on the matter. He was too "high" and too quick for me, and also left us for many minutes alone, while we were trying to speak with each other.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Date of study
16 Oct 2017 - 20 Oct 2017
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast - 2 students must book together

S$ 426
weekly
Age range: 17 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
S$ 426
The price is per person. Available with single or double rooms. We have a limited number of families, couples and single adults who make available rooms in their residences. Many are available with boarding options (meals), which include breakfast only, half-board (breakfast & lunch or dinner) and full board. Obviously this accommodation option requires a greater commitment not only on the part of the property owner, but also on the part of the student. It is well suited to those who desire a more immersive learning experience and additional daily practice speaking Italian.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast

S$ 532
weekly
Age range: 16 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
S$ 532
Available with single or double rooms. We have a limited number of families, couples and single adults who make available rooms in their residences. Many are available with boarding options (meals), which include breakfast only, half-board (breakfast & lunch or dinner) and full board. Obviously this accommodation option requires a greater commitment not only on the part of the property owner, but also on the part of the student. It is well suited to those who desire a more immersive learning experience and additional daily practice speaking Italian.

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner - 2 students must book together

S$ 532
weekly
Age range: 17 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
S$ 532
Available with single or double rooms. The price is per person. We have a limited number of families, couples and single adults who make available rooms in their residences. Many are available with boarding options (meals), which include breakfast only, half-board (breakfast & lunch or dinner) and full board. Obviously this accommodation option requires a greater commitment not only on the part of the property owner, but also on the part of the student. It is well suited to those who desire a more immersive learning experience and additional daily practice speaking Italian.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

S$ 639
weekly
Age range: 17 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
S$ 639
Available with single or double rooms. We have a limited number of families, couples and single adults who make available rooms in their residences. Many are available with boarding options (meals), which include breakfast only, half-board (breakfast & lunch or dinner) and full board. Obviously this accommodation option requires a greater commitment not only on the part of the property owner, but also on the part of the student. It is well suited to those who desire a more immersive learning experience and additional daily practice speaking Italian.

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner - 2 students must book together

S$ 639
weekly
Age range: 17 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
S$ 639
Available with single or double rooms. The price is per person. We have a limited number of families, couples and single adults who make available rooms in their residences. Many are available with boarding options (meals), which include breakfast only, half-board (breakfast & lunch or dinner) and full board. Obviously this accommodation option requires a greater commitment not only on the part of the property owner, but also on the part of the student. It is well suited to those who desire a more immersive learning experience and additional daily practice speaking Italian.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

S$ 745
weekly
Age range: 17 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner (21 meals per week)
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
S$ 745
Available with single or double rooms. We have a limited number of families, couples and single adults who make available rooms in their residences. Many are available with boarding options (meals), which include breakfast only, half-board (breakfast & lunch or dinner) and full board. Obviously this accommodation option requires a greater commitment not only on the part of the property owner, but also on the part of the student. It is well suited to those who desire a more immersive learning experience and additional daily practice speaking Italian.
apartment

Shared apartment - 2-person shared room - No meals - 2 students must book together

S$ 373
weekly
Age range: 18 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
S$ 373
We can provide several shared students’ apartments located throughout Taormina, available with single or double rooms. In shared apartments students have their own private room (single or double) and will share a common kitchen and bathroom(s). We recommend shared apartments as a great way to facilitate social/personal interactions with fellow students. Double rooms cannot be shared by 2 people who don’t know each other previously and have not previously decided to share the room. The school does not pair people who do not know each other previously. The price is per person.

Shared apartment - Single-person room - No meals

S$ 479
weekly
Age range: 18 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
S$ 479
We can provide several shared students’ apartments located throughout Taormina, available with single or double rooms. In shared apartments students have their own private room (single or double) and will share a common kitchen and bathroom(s). We recommend shared apartments as a great way to facilitate social/personal interactions with fellow students. Double rooms cannot be shared by 2 people who don’t know each other previously and have not previously decided to share the room. The school does not pair people who do not know each other previously.

Private apartment - 2-person shared room - No meals - 2 students must book together

S$ 532
weekly
Age range: 18 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Distance to school: 3 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
S$ 532
We also have a number of independent apartments available for those who prefer a private accommodation. . Nearly all are intended for double occupancy (2 people). The price is per person.
Frequently however, we have single students who prefer the privacy of their own apartment and these apartments are also made available to them on a first reserved, first served basis.

Private apartment - Single-person room - No meals

S$ 798
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Distance to school: 3 - 15 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
S$ 798
We also have a number of independent apartments available for those who prefer a private accommodation. Nearly all are intended for double occupancy (2 people).
Frequently however, we have single students who prefer the privacy of their own apartment and these apartments are also made available to them on a first reserved, first served basis.
hotel

2-star hotel - Single-person room - Breakfast

S$ 798
weekly
Age range: 17 - 99 years old
Location: In the city center of Taormina
Housing type: 2-star hotel
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Private bathroom, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, and garden
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, after 11:00 AM
Check-out: Sunday, before 10:00 AM
S$ 798
Taormina offers an abundance of accommodations at all price levels. The school has negotiated special rates with a few 2 and 3-star hotels and can provide information on hotels at all levels as well as rooming houses. Please be advised that given the cyclical nature of the tourist industry, availability is highly unpredictable and, as with private accommodations, we recommend making reservations well in advance.

Tourist Tax at Hotels to be paid by the client directly at hotel = 1,50 euro per day for the first 10 days
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Taormina based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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