| From the perspective of an American teacher | | | | same time giving the school itself a palpable family |
| The first weekend I was in San Giovanni | | | | atmosphere. |
| Valdarno, I found myself packed in a crowd of | | | | 2.The school's teachers are carefully selected and |
| Italians, waiting for a helping of Tuscan bread and | | | | rigorously trained. All have exemplary qualifications. |
| wild boar stew. It was a beautiful day and the | | | | Professional development is a cornerstone of the |
| main piazza was filled with Sangiovannesi. People | | | | teachers work; they plan, they research, and |
| pushed through the crowds in all kinds of medieval | | | | they collaboratively construct a unique curriculum |
| costumes. The quiet piazza of the night before | | | | together, under the careful guidance of the |
| had been entirely transformed with small booths | | | | director. The result is a staff that uses the same |
| lining its perimeter, where people demonstrated | | | | teaching philosophy and the same curriculum, but |
| ancient trades to passers-by. I had stumbled upon | | | | instead of being passive transmitters of pre-made |
| the fest of the Perdono, and though I combed | | | | courses, they adapt activities, tests, and lessons |
| the crowd for other tourists, I only found a | | | | daily to adjust to the personality of each class. |
| handful of Il Sillabo students. | | | | This level of professional engagement and |
| When I travel, I want an experience of real | | | | commitment drives dynamic, rigorous classes, |
| cultural immersion. For me, travel is about | | | | while the same time, the teachers take great |
| broadening my perspectives and absorbing the | | | | pains to cultivate a relaxed, supportive |
| history, the art, and the politics of a place from | | | | atmosphere where students feel comfortable |
| the people who live there. I have participated in | | | | taking risks. |
| high-quality abroad programs such as Global | | | | 3. Another strength of Il Sillabo offering is its |
| Routes, Legacy International, Peacecamps, and | | | | location. Tuscany is overrun with tourists, yet San |
| School For International Training. While Il Sillabo is a | | | | Giovanni offers a 14th century town centre |
| small school, it provides programs and | | | | where one can practice Italian without the |
| opportunities that brings students into the heart | | | | competition of demanding tour groups. The Bosi |
| of Tuscany. | | | | family chose San Giovanni because it is off the |
| But not only that. One needs an entry point; one | | | | beaten path while still offering a setting rich with |
| needs a guide. As an experienced teacher, I knew | | | | culture and history. The school itself is housed in |
| exactly what I wanted from a language school. Il | | | | the oldest building in town, constructed for noble |
| Sillabo's classes are of the highest quality; the | | | | families in the 1300's. It overlooks the historic |
| teachers continually demonstrate their mastery, | | | | town centre and main piazza. San Giovanni is also |
| both from the standpoint of the content and the | | | | easy to reach. San Giovanni is located on the |
| pedagogy. | | | | Florence - Rome line, 30 minutes from Florence, |
| While Florence and Rome crawl with tourists and | | | | 30 minutes from Arezzo and 3 hours from Rome. |
| language schools, little San Giovanni offers a place | | | | Siena, Cortona, Orvieto, and other tourist cities |
| where students can experience a wealth of | | | | are also close by. |
| culture not found in the souvenir shops. It is an | | | | 4.Il Sillabo offers a wide range of other courses in |
| ideal location for a short term program where | | | | addition to Italian language. Student can attend a |
| students can learn Italian and explore the art and | | | | culinary course which explores the world-famous |
| culture that makes Italy so rich. Here are just a | | | | regional dishes of Tuscany. In addition, the school |
| few points which set Il Sillabo apart. | | | | offers several guided trips a week to museums, |
| 1.Il Sillabo is a family-run language school. Anna | | | | churches, vineyards, and olive farms. Other |
| Paola Bosi, the director, started the school in 1997 | | | | courses include literature, film, archaeology, |
| with her sister-in-law, Erica. Both studied language | | | | architecture and art history. Please see the |
| and education at University and worked in the | | | | enclosed course treatments for examples. |
| fields of education; Alessio, Anna Paola's husband, | | | | 5.There are many schools in Italy that offer Italian |
| teaches cooking classes; her mother, Nicoletta, | | | | lessons. However Il Sillabo's holistic approach to |
| teaches Italian; her father, an art historian and | | | | education offers a unique experience, ideal for |
| architect, leads excursions; and her sister-in-law, | | | | American students interested in Italy. I |
| Erica is the office manager. This highly-qualified | | | | whole-heartedly recommend the Il Sillabo |
| team is professional and precise, while at the | | | | experience. |