LEVELS
How many levels are there at Scudit?
We offer seven levels: Elementary 1 (complete beginners), Elementary 2 (false beginners), Intermediate 1, 2 and 3, and Advanced 1 and 2.
Do your levels correspond to the international language levels?
International levels are a useful point of reference. However, our main goal is to place each student in the class that best matches their actual language ability and learning needs.
Will I take a test before the course starts?
Yes, of course.
How does the test work?
The purpose of the test is very practical: to place each student in the most suitable class.
When you arrive at school, you will take a written test followed by a short conversation with the director or another experienced teacher. Sometimes just a few minutes are enough to find the right class; in other cases, the process may take a little longer.
What if I feel that my class is not the right one for me?
It doesn't happen very often, but it can happen.
If, for any reason, we realise that another class would be more suitable, we'll simply change it. Your teacher may notice it, you may notice it, or we may decide together after talking about it.
Our aim is not to defend the result of the test, but to make sure you are in the class where you can learn best.
The enrolment form asks me to indicate my language level, but I'm not sure what it is.
Don't worry.
We ask this only to get a general idea of your level before the course begins and to organise the classes. Your actual level will be assessed by us on your first day at school.
THE COURSE
Can I join a course on a date different from those shown in the course calendar?
For courses for complete beginners, this is usually not possible, as even a few missed lessons can make it difficult to keep up with the rest of the class.
For all other levels, it is sometimes possible to join a course that has already started. Please contact the school office to discuss your situation.
How many students are there in each class?
Classes have a maximum of 12 students. Most classes have around 7 students, although during quieter periods there may be as few as 2 students in a class.
What is the average age of Scudit students?
Students of all ages study at Scudit.
During school and university holidays there are usually more younger students, while at other times of the year the average age tends to be higher. It all depends on the time of year, the class and... a little bit of chance.
If I enrol for a four-week language course and then decide to continue, will I have to repeat the same programme?
No.
Each course continues from where the previous one ends, so you will simply move on to the next level.
If I enrol on one type of course (for example an Intensive Course) and then decide to change to a different one (for example an Extensive or Individual Course), can I do that without losing the money I have already paid?
Yes, provided that there is availability in the new course and at the appropriate level.
Any fees already paid will simply be transferred to the new course.
If I enrol for a four-week Intensive Course, will I have the same teacher and classmates throughout the course?
Not necessarily.
After the first two weeks we review the progress of each student and, if necessary, reorganise the classes.
TEACHING
Is grammar important?
Yes, it is. We believe grammar plays an important role in learning Italian, especially for adult students.
But grammar is a means, not an end.
Learning a language means learning to communicate, and communication always comes first. At the same time, grammar is often a valuable tool for understanding how the language works and for making faster progress.
For this reason, we use grammar whenever it helps the student. Never more than necessary, but never less either.
Do you focus on conversation?
Continuously.
How much time is devoted to grammar and how much to conversation?
We don't see them as separate activities.
Our aim is to help students communicate accurately. To achieve that, students need plenty of opportunities to speak, together with the tools that help them avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Do you follow the communicative approach?
The communicative approach has made an important contribution to language teaching, and many of its principles are now part of everyday classroom practice.
At Scudit, however, we do not believe that one teaching method can answer every student's needs. Different students learn in different ways, and good teaching means choosing the right approach for the right person at the right time.
What teaching method do you use?
We don't like putting labels on our teaching.
Instead, we adapt our approach to the needs, learning style and pace of each student. If we had to describe our philosophy in just a few words, we would probably call it a cultural approach.
Which course book do you use?
None. In fact, we don't require our teachers to use any particular course book (not even the ones I have written myself!).
Each teacher is free to choose the materials they consider most suitable for the class. We believe this gives them greater flexibility and allows them to respond more effectively to the needs of their students.
TEACHERS
How will I communicate with the teacher if he or she doesn't speak my language?
That's our job.
We've taught Italian to thousands of students whose native language we didn't speak. Teaching challenges can arise at any time, but not sharing a student's mother tongue is simply not one of them.
What qualifications do Scudit teachers have?
Evaluating the quality of a teacher is not always easy.
A degree in the humanities and recognised teaching qualifications are often part of our teachers' background. However, we attach even greater importance to the training they receive at Scudit, including a teaching internship that I personally supervise.
Scudit also trains teachers of Italian as a foreign language. Many people have completed our training programme, although only a few have joined our teaching staff.
The best ones.
Will I have the same teacher throughout the course?
Normally, yes.
The teacher assigned to a class does not usually change during the same day and, in most cases, remains with the class for at least two weeks.
COURSE TYPES
I want to improve my writing. Which course would you recommend?
If your goal is to improve a specific aspect of your Italian, such as writing, individual lessons are usually the best choice.
Who are individual lessons recommended for?
Individual lessons are ideal for students who want to focus on a particular aspect of the language, such as writing, pronunciation or Italian for professional purposes.
They are also especially suitable for students whose language skills are unbalanced. For example, someone who understands Italian very well and can communicate quite easily, but still makes many mistakes because they have learned the language informally over the years.
And, of course, they are the best choice for anyone who wants to make the fastest possible progress.
Are individual lessons much more expensive than group courses?
An individual lesson costs about three or four times as much as a lesson in a group course.
However, the average group at Scudit has around seven students. In that sense, you could even say that individual lessons offer surprisingly good value for money... although they are certainly not the right choice for everyone.
Isn't four lesson hours a day a bit too intensive?
Not at all.
Our teachers are experienced in organising four lesson hours in a way that keeps students interested and involved throughout the lesson. Most students are surprised by how quickly the time passes.
Try it and see for yourself.
I'll be in Rome for only two weeks. Can I join an Extensive Course with two lessons a week?
No.
The minimum enrolment for an Extensive Course is four weeks. For shorter stays, we recommend an Intensive, Superintensive or Individual Course, where you can make much more noticeable progress in a limited period of time.
I'd like to take an Italian course, but I'm not sure whether to choose an Intensive, Extensive or Individual Course.
If you're not sure which course is right for you, just ask us.
The best solution is to come to the school, take our test and have a chat with me. Together we'll find the course that best suits your needs, your learning style and the time you have available. You don't need to decide before you arrive.
Is it possible to have individual or small-group lessons at home or at my workplace?
Yes.
Lessons can also be held at your home or workplace. We simply ask for an additional fee to cover the teacher's travel time.
What about payment?
For all administrative matters, including payment, please see our Enrolment Information page.