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
Start dates
08 Apr 2024, 29 Apr 2024, 02 Sep 2024 and 14 Oct 2024
Classes per week
20 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 45 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
01 Apr 2024, 25 Apr 2024, 01 May 2024, 15 Aug 2024, 01 Nov 2024

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
photos

Photos

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

Reviews

100% recommend

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

"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

NZ$ 540
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
NZ$ 540
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

NZ$ 676
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
NZ$ 676
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

NZ$ 676
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
NZ$ 676
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

NZ$ 811
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
NZ$ 811
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

NZ$ 811
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
NZ$ 811
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

NZ$ 946
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
NZ$ 946
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

NZ$ 473
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
NZ$ 473
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

NZ$ 608
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
NZ$ 608
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

NZ$ 676
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
NZ$ 676
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

NZ$ 1,013
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
NZ$ 1,013
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

NZ$ 1,013
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
NZ$ 1,013
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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