BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
Via Timoleone 10, Taormina, Sicilia 98039, Italy
BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
These Italian courses are designed for those who want a complete language experience, studying 4 lessons per day, focusing on the language analysis activities and the communicative tasks
Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities
Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.
Average | 6 students |
Maximum | 12 students |
Age range | 12 - 90 years old |
Average | 40 years old (30 in the summer) |
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:
• Culture courses:
B-History and Architecture (Prof.a E.Aucello)
B-Italian literature (Prof. S.Sciotto)
B-Theatre
B-Cinema (Prof. S.Sciotto)
B-Cinema of the Mediterranean (Prof. S.Sciotto)
B-Made in Italy
B-Fine arts (Prof.a E.Aucello)
B-Philosophy (Prof.a F.La Fiora)
B-Sicilian culture (Prof.a M.Esposito)
B-Italian Culture (Prof.a C.Caltabiano)
B-Sicilian Cuisine (Chef A.Spartà)
B-Mediterranean Cuisine (Chef A. Bifera)
B-International Cuisine (Chef F.Capuana)
B-Enology and Viticulture (Dott. F.Arria)
B-Business & management (Dott.a M.Miano)
B-Sicilian history (Prof. S.Sciotto)
B-Geology and vulcanology (Prof. G.Celano)
B-Femminist literature (Prof.a A.Tomarchio)
B-Sicilian dialect (Prof. G.Rosalia)
B-Sustainable agriculture (Prof. F.Sangari)
B-Sicilian Sustainable food system
B-Agricultural science and tecnology (Prof. F.Sangari)
B-Sicilian myths and legends (Prof.a M.Furnari)
• Business & Executive courses:
B-Sales
B-Professional
B-Economic investment
B-Office work
B-Hospitality
B-Tourism
B-Banking and finances
B-Fashion
• Special courses
B-Junior program
B-50+ Island of the sun
B-Italiano + Business
B-Italiano + smart working
B-Italiano + internship
B-Italiano + internship Babilonia
B-Italiano + volunteering (Legambiente)
B-Italiano + work program
B-Professor AP
B-Study Abroad Program
Babilonia coast to coast
Babilonia island to island
Babilonia l’italiano a tavola
• Long term courses
B-Language year abroad
B-Semester abroad
• Exam prep
B-Esame CELI
B-Esame DILS
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!
has partnerships with the following universities and colleges in Italy. You can gain full or conditional acceptance into one of these institutions.
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:
Our Centre is situated in the heart of the renowned town of Taormina, often regarded as the most beautiful location in Sicily. Perched on the slopes of Mount Tauro, Taormina offers breathtaking views over the Bay of Naxos, the site of the first Greek colony in Sicily, established in 735 B.C. The stunning Mediterranean-blue bay, with the active volcano Mount Etna in the distance, provides a magnificent panorama from nearly every corner of the town. Taormina is celebrated not only for its natural beauty but also for its rich heritage, historical significance, archaeology, and architecture, along with its warm hospitality to visitors. The town’s central location allows students easy access to Sicily's captivating cultural and historical landmarks.
Since 1992, the Centre for Italian Studies "BABILONIA" in Taormina has been deeply committed to preserving and promoting Italian and Sicilian culture and heritage, alongside teaching the Italian language. Our mission is to provide students with an authentic opportunity to learn the Italian language while immersing themselves in the culture and lifestyle of Italy.
Our courses and programs are hosted at “Casa Silva,” a historic villa dating back to 1817, just 200 meters from the Greek Theatre—a rare gem of architecture, nature, and history that Taormina has carefully preserved. The villa is surrounded by a magnificent botanical garden, filled with citrus trees, Mediterranean plants, centuries-old palms, monkey puzzle trees, magnolias, and a variety of other exotic flora.
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.
I liked it all, the first day too much confusion about finding the right level. Housing fine.
Show details » Read more...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.
Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying Italian in Taormina. These homes are often between 3 - 20 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
It is possible to live in a rented apartment during your study in Taormina, but this tends to be more expensive. BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE provides some assistance with apartment rentals or you can rent an apartment on your own. Learn more about apartment housing
BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE provides some assistance with hotel or hostel reservations or you can reserve a room on your own. Learn more about hostel housing
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.
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.
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.
Have questions? Get answers from BABILONIA – CENTER FOR ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
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