ALCE Bologna
Learn Italian in Italy, learn Italian at ALCE Bologna
ALCE Bologna is a quality educational institution which provides a wide range of Italian language and culture courses in the city of Bologna. It attracts a diverse group of international students who benefit from a professional, friendly learning environment and highly qualified native-speaking teachers.
Founded in 1999, ALCE Bologna is a family-run language school and housed in a beautifully restored Art Nouveau building near Bologna’s Giardini Margherita. Just minutes from the city center and main train station, the school offers a welcoming environment with a private garden, historic tavern, and spacious kitchen for events. Its facilities include 10 bright, elegantly decorated classrooms equipped with air conditioning, modern audio-visual technology, and high ceilings, creating a comfortable and well-equipped space for learning and relaxation. What has always set us apart is our focus on academic excellence. We are proud to be among the few schools in Italy—and possibly in Europe—to offer full 60-minute lessons, rather than shortened 45- or 50-minute sessions. Our standard course goes beyond the basics by including an additional 3 hours per week dedicated to conversation practice, phonetics and pronunciation workshops, and focused grammar classes.
Highlights
- We guarantee small classes (maximum 8/10 students) and individual attention, with an open door policy to address any student problem or question.
- The school is recognized by CILS, CELI, AIL, CERT.IT examination centre (4 main public Italian language certifications), and DITALS teacher training preparation.
- Teacher-led social and cultural activities, including welcome drinks, themed tours, museum visits, cooking classes, and excursions.
- The school arranges carefully selected housing, including self-catering shared apartments for independence and host families for immersive cultural and language experiences.
Programmes Offered
Our experienced and qualified staff teach Italian courses in small classes, which allows students to participate actively in class. Our Italian courses follow our own method that we have built and enriched trough years. At ALCE, we are pride to provide serious teaching: students get tested every 2 weeks and are given material for extra self-study (corrected weekly). It enables us to follow the students’ progress closely. We do not reduce the teaching time and provide full-hour-lessons. The whole team works hard to provide each overseas student with a comprehensive educational and unique cultural Italian experience within a friendly atmosphere.
General Intensive (GI 23)
The course at ALCE offers 23 hours of instruction per week, including 20 morning lessons and 2 afternoon workshops. Classes run from 9 AM to 1:15 PM, with one weekly Grammar Workshop and one weekly Conversation and Phonetics Workshop in the afternoons. Students are assigned daily homework, weekly self-study, and take regular written and spoken tests every two weeks to track their progress.
Combined (GI20+5/10)
25 to 28 hours per week. This course consists of 20 hours of Group General Italian + 5 or 10 hours of private (one-to-one) lessons in the afternoon per day. The private lessons give students the opportunity to concentrate on their own individual needs and interests. We try to organize timetables in order to give students the possibility to participate in the workshops too (mainly for students who book the GI25 course).
Super Intensive (GI30)
30 hours per week. This highly intensive course combines our group Standard Italian Course in the morning (20h) + 10 hours of Standard Italian Course in the afternoon in mini-group. This course is available all year round and is ideal for participants who only have 2 or 3 weeks. In the afternoon students have many chances to practice especially the spoken language, to practice what they have learnt in the morning, and to develop their vocabulary. When there are less than 2 students enrolled at the same level, we guarantee, at the same price, 5 one to one afternoon classes per week.
One to One/ Two to One General (OGI)
This is the most customised option. The programme is completely based on the student’s individual needs and adapts immediately to take into account the developments they have made. The content of this course can be adapted to suit the student’s requirements. The course is normally scheduled in the afternoon, also according to teachers’ availability. Suggested to those who wish to perfect their knowledge of the Italian language in a brief period and with a full immersion. If two people are interested in taking lessons together, the two-to-one option offers a great opportunity in both financial and educational terms, rapidly increasing communicative ability in Italian for everyday and academic use. The same (or similar) starting knowledge is required.
Master Class 45+ (A1+)
This is a 2-week programme, combining the General Italian course GI23 with a specific programme of specially designed cultural activities and excursions for the over 45s. Morning lessons are held together with the other students, so that the Master Class participants can benefit the academic excellence we usually offer in our intensive standard program. Students are placed in classes according to their levels. The course program includes a welcome drink, 20 lessons a week and a wide range of cultural activities for 5 days a week, including Italian cookery courses and wine testing sessions. Students can also participate in the workshops normally included in the standard course.
Business Italian (BI)
B1+ 30 hours per week. It consists of 20 hours of intensive general Italian + 10 lessons focused on Business Italian in mini-group per week (6 hours per day: 4+2). Course content is really adaptable to students’ needs, but typical topics are: looking for a job, commercial correspondence, telephone manners, presentations in companies, publicity, travelling, transport and shipping, problem solving, professional fairs and seminars... The communicative situations are also built around cultural, international current affairs and events. The course includes a revision of grammar: structures and tenses used in the business Italian are really important. When there are less than 2 students enrolled at the same level, we guarantee, at the same price, 5 one to one afternoon classes per week.
Italian for Law (LI)
B1+ 25 hours per week. Consists of 20 hours of intensive general Italian + 5 private lessons focused on Italian for law per week. Since the law field is extremely broad and cannot be covered in a thorough manner in the few available lessons, students may begin the course by planning with the instructor a programme with a narrower focus on the basis of their needs. This course is designed for those students who are already experts in the field of law in their own language and who are interested in the language of law in Italian for professional reasons or study. The programme focuses on different areas of law, aiming at providing students with the basic vocabulary and professional expressions that are most often used. Each field will be covered through the analysis of "texts", targeted exercises and discussions. One to one or two to one Professional (OPI or TPI) are also available.
Italian Plus Courses
ALCE also offers a range of Plus courses that combine intensive General Italian lessons with various cultural modules, providing students with a deeper understanding of Italy’s traditions and lifestyle. Options include Italian Plus Cooking/Wine Tasting, where students learn Italian cooking techniques or wine tasting with experts, enriching their language skills through hands-on cultural experiences. The Italian Food & Wine Culture Course combines classes with cooking, wine tasting, and excursions to explore local traditions. For art and history enthusiasts, the Italian Plus Culture course integrates Italian lessons with modules on art, history, or literature, often with visits to local sites. Additionally, the Italian Plus Drama course combines Italian learning with theater workshops, enhancing language and expression through performance. Finally, the Italian Plus Arts & Crafts course offers creative sessions in painting, ceramics, or drawing alongside language lessons.
Contact
Homestay
Homestay accommodations at ALCE offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian culture by living with carefully selected local families. These homes provide a comfortable, friendly environment for practicing Italian daily, with options for half-board (breakfast and dinner) or self-catering. Typically, no more than two students share a household, and efforts are made to avoid placing students with the same native language unless requested. Host families vary in composition and are usually located within a 30-minute walk or short bus ride from the school.
Shared Apartments
ALCE offers fully furnished, self-catering shared apartments for independent living within a supportive international community. Five residences—Durin, Frodo, Gandalf, Gimli, and Merry Houses are located 2 to 20 minutes from the school. All include single bedrooms, shared kitchens and bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, and washing machines. Weekly cleaning and utility bills are included, and efforts are made to group students by age and different native languages. Some apartments also feature additional amenities like dishwashers, air conditioning, or balconies.
- Homestay
- Studio
- Shared Apartment
As a city, Bologna offers an exciting alternative destination for an authentic immersion in Italian language and culture. It is home to the oldest university in the western world and has been enthusiastically embracing foreign students for almost 1000 years. Whilst being a city of art in its own right it is conveniently situated near many other historical centres such as Florence, Venice, Milan, Verona, Mantua, Parma, Padua, Ravenna and Ferrara.
ALCE is centrally located along Bologna’s historic ring road, near shops, restaurants, and cafés, with the medieval city center just a 20-minute walk away. Well-connected by bus and close to Giardini Margherita park, the school is also 15 minutes from the high-speed train station.
Bologna, a lively, student-friendly city with a rich university tradition, offers an authentic Italian experience with vibrant cafés, parks, and cultural sites. Known for its stunning architecture, including 45 km of porticoes, the city is safe, walkable, and free from mass tourism, providing a unique cultural atmosphere. Students love Bologna’s manageable size—“not too big, not too small”—and its safe, walkable layout. Culture and history are everywhere, with museums, historic sites, and music venues throughout the city. Bologna is also a UNESCO Creative City of Music, adding to its cultural appeal.
Exams
ALCE is an official examination center for several Italian language certifications, including CILS (University for Foreigners at Siena), CELI (University for Foreigners at Perugia), CERT.IT (Università Roma TRE), and AIL (Accademia Italiana di Lingua). The school offers exam preparation courses tailored to these certifications, with options for 2, 4, or 6-week programmes. These courses include 30 hours per week of intensive study, daily homework, regular tests, and exam simulations. The structure varies based on the student’s proficiency level, with a mix of general Italian lessons and focused exam preparation. ALCE advises students to assess their level before starting the course to ensure they choose the appropriate preparation duration.
More Features
ALCE Bologna stands out as a top choice for Italian language learners due to its ideal location in an authentically Italian city, away from mass tourism but close to major cultural centers like Florence and Venice. The school is easy to reach thanks to its proximity to an international airport and Italy’s main rail hub.
As a fully accredited, family-run institution open year-round, ALCE offers a welcoming, student-focused environment near the city center. It is officially recognized as an exam center for CILS, CELI, AIL, and CERT.IT certifications and provides preparation for DITALS teacher training. Recognized both in Italy and abroad, ALCE is a member of IALC and AIL, affiliated with ASILS, and acknowledged by European institutions such as CSN in Sweden and Bildungsurlaub in Germany.
Students benefit from small class sizes (max 8–10), a diverse international mix, and the chance to engage with locals in a relaxed, supportive setting. The school’s academic system emphasizes continuous assessment and targeted support, while its open-door policy ensures students feel heard and supported. ALCE also provides intensive courses, structured self-study, engaging cultural activities, and access to modern facilities equipped with a wide range of up-to-date learning materials.
