Standard course

Scuola Virgilio

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Course description

The Intensive Group Courses take place for more than eight consecutive months from March to November.
For more details on class times, prices and dates, see the registration form.
It is possible to attend the intensive courses at Scuola Virgilio for one or more weeks. The recommended duration is at least two weeks, to get the best results and have time to visit Trapani and Sicily.

The courses are available in two variants:
– Standard 15 hours per week (1 hour = 60 minutes). This involves 3 hours of lessons every morning from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 13:00 (including half an hour break).
– Standard Plus which includes the entire Standard course plus 5 hours of lessons per week in the afternoon (generally, immediately after the lunch break).

The School offers courses at various levels of ability based on the CEFR standards. The teaching material is provided by the school.

Course topics

Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation, Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Grammar and Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-38 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
15 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 60 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday
School holidays
08 Dec 2024 and 22 Dec 2024 - 06 Jan 2025

Class times

You can choose from the following class times:

Morning session
09:30 AM - 01:00 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test before your arrival in Trapani to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 4 students
Maximum 9 students

Student age

Age range 16 years old and older
Average 45 years old
(36 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school
photos

Photos

  • Classes at Scuola Virgilio 1/19
  • Teachers and Staff at Scuola Virgilio 2/19
  • Teachers and Staff at Scuola Virgilio 3/19
  • Classroom at Scuola Virgilio 4/19
  • Outdoor group classes 5/19
  • Outdoor 50+ group classes 6/19
  • At the beach 7/19
  • Nearby Egadi islands 8/19
  • City of Trapani 9/19
  • Students of Scuola Virgilio 10/19
  • Students of Scuola Virgilio 11/19
  • Homestay housing offered by Scuola Virgilio 12/19
  • Homestay housing offered by Scuola Virgilio 13/19
  • Homestay housing offered by Scuola Virgilio 14/19
  • Homestay housing offered by Scuola Virgilio 15/19
  • Scuola Virgilio 16/19
  • Scuola Virgilio 17/19
  • Scuola Virgilio 18/19
  • Scuola Virgilio 19/19
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 17 reviews
5 stars
16
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing

"A quality learning experience in Trapani"

Arja Pirinen

I have studied at the Scuola Virgilio three times, 2-3 weeks at a time. The school provides the perfect learning environment for students of different ages and skill levels. The teachers are welcoming, knowledgeable and truly passionate about the Italian language and culture. The afternoon activities reinforce what is learned in the classroom and add some fun to the day. I recommend Scuola Virgilio to anyone who is seeking a quality learning experience in the beautiful city of Trapani. Do not miss the Egadi Islands, Erice or Marsala!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
2 Oct 2023 - 13 Oct 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
10 May 2024

Grazie Arja per le tue belle parole, torna presto a studiare con noi!

"For everybody who is looking for a delightful learning experience at a small and authentic local Italian school with dedicated and amiable staff."

Lucas von Wattenwyl

I enjoyed the time at your school a lot, thank you very much for all your efforts to create a varied and supportive learning environment!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
27 Nov 2024 - 8 Dec 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"Excellent and friendly language school"

Sinikka Kyyrönen

This was my second time in Scuola Virgilio. I studied italian for two weeks (20h/week) and had two exellent teachers: Luisa and Daniela Di B. The teaching material was versatile. Besides grammar we read texts about sicilian culture and litterature which was very interesting.

All the staff in the school was very friendly and there were also nice freetime activities organized by the school.

I will be returning in June to study more italian with these lovely people.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
2 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"An excellent Italian immersion"

Gregory Allen

The school is located in a perfect spot in Trapani, and the local color contributes positively to the overall experience. The instructors are able to tailor the teaching to optimize the student's learning. I stayed at a local hotel which was economical and delightful. The first time I came on my own, and on my second visit 6 years later, I enrolled my 30 year old daughter who very much enjoyed her beginner classes.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Date of study
17 Jul 2016 - 23 Jul 2016
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
10 May 2024

Ciao Gregory, quanto tempo! I have many fond memories with you, I really hope you can come and stay with us again soon!

"A welcoming and supportive school where the needs of the students was a priority."

Curlette Beckmann

Scuola Virgilio is based in Trapani a beautiful city in Western Sicily far from the beaten track. The advantage to this is that it encouraged us to speak Italian to the people in the shops and restaurants. The port provided the opportunity to visit the islands in the vicinity.

The school is well organized and provides a supportive environment for learning. The needs of the students are a priority and the classes are small both being conducive to learning.

I have been learning Italian for several years usually on holiday. I had not previously had the confidence to speak Italian outside the classes and in Scuola Virgilio opportunities were created to encourage the speaking of Italian.

The walking tour of the city with Stefano the director was not only informative but also provided the opportunity to speak Italian. Stefano appeared to know everyone in Trapani and would often be stopped by people, we were also sometimes involved in conversations. Equally the walking tour of Marsala was very interesting. Our teacher Chiara lives there and was ideally placed to give us an insight into life there. We were all allocated a task which involved speaking to someone in the town, this was an interesting experience. Everyone was very friendly and we were able to feel very relaxed, we had a long conversation with one gentleman about a variety of things.
Stefano also organized an evening meal with students of all levels enabling us to contribute to the conversation when we could.
All this helped me to overcome my hesitance in speaking Italian.

We did have one day when the school had to be closed due to heavy rainfall and the lessons had to be online which was a challenge for me but overall I had a very enjoyable time at Scuola Virgilio.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Date of study
8 May 2023 - 8 May 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
01 May 2024

Ciao Curlette, thanks a lot for your thorough and exstensive feedback! We hope to have you and John again sometime soon. Ciao!

"A pleasant experience"

Kjell Svensson

I really liked the school and their staff. The location was perfect for me as I only had 200 meters to get there. Very central with walking distance to everything. The teachers were very committed and we also met at evening activities sometimes. Always answered questions, not just during class time. I attended one week in March and one week in April at level B1. Unfortunately there weren't many beginners and my girlfriend didn't want to go alone. It's understandable since the season hasn't really started yet. I hope to come back already this autumn.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
5 weeks
Date of study
3 Mar 2024 - 13 Apr 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
01 May 2024

Ciao Kjell, thank you and sorry for Louise, we hope we can accommodate her in a beginners class the next time around.
E' stato un piacere conoscervi, a presto!

"Discover what you are capable of and bring it outward!"

Mag. Eva Vock

The International Language School "Scuola Virgilio" in Trapani (Sicily) offers a very special educational quality. The direktor, Mr. Stefano Grillo and his team of teachers show their interest in the individual through their highly empathetic behavior towards the learners. The appreciative atmosphere at this school is very pleasant. The teachers have a very high pedagogical level, which makes it possible for them to let learning happen " on the side". But behind every topic of discussion there is an exact teaching and learning aim that is also achieved.
Learning occurs throughout the day and with every activity.
The location of the school and the great support in finding accommodation round the offer.
You feel like you are in good hands, the extremely friendly secretary and the entire teaching team make sure of that.

And the enchanting setting for all this is Trapani itself!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
22 May 2023 - 1 Jun 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
01 May 2024

Thanks so much for this review... I will show it to my wife who says I'm not empathetic enough! Jokes apart, we're so happy you've appreciated the "technical" abilities of our teachers behind their warm and empathetic attitude. This mix is what makes learning happen in a relatively effortless way. Thanks again for pointing that our!

"Trapani Is a hidden gem; Scuola Virgilio is a treasure !"

James Mendelson

Scuola Virgilio is a great learning environment in the center of a welcoming Sicilian coastal city. I have been back three years in a row! The owner is always planning extra activities, and the teachers really care about the students. The school was really helpful in organizing and preparing me for the Italian CELI 2 exam. Worthy of a special trip.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
97 weeks
Date of study
1 May 2022 - 15 Mar 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
01 May 2024

Jim, this must be you... Thank you for your kind words, my friend, Now start prepping for the CELI 3 B2 exam next year, you know that's your next goal!
Abbracci

"A memorable experience with stimulating and enjoyable teaching"

Ann Gover

I very much enjoyed the courses I took at Scuola Virgilio in various years.. I found the teaching excellent and the subjects we discussed varied and interesting. Trapani is a lovely place to stay and it is usually easy to get to the beach from one's accommodation. I found my own, but the Scuola will find accommodation for you if required. There are enjoyable boat trips to neighboring islands and new students are given a tour round Trapani to see the interesting buildings in the town.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
1 Jul 2018 - 13 Jul 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
01 May 2024

Ciao, we can't see who wrote this but I think this must be Ann from Bristol... one of our most loyalo students, who's coming to attend our courses yet another time this year and we are very much looking forward to that!

"Virgilio è una scuola accogliente per imparare d'italiano"

Tono van Velzen

I stayed for two weeks at Scuola Virgilio. I learned a lot about the italian language. I met wonderful other students. The teachers and other staff are friendly and interested in who you are. The director of the school organize nice walkings in the city of Trapani. The school organize social activities after the lessons. You are free to join those activities. Once a week there is an aperitivo too in a bar. The groups are small so you have the opportunity to practise by talking the language. You can chose for a language course of 15 or 20 hours a week. The school is located in a lively neighbourhood.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
1 Apr 2024 - 12 Apr 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"Very competent and supportive teaching in a relaxed atmosphere at a very convenient downtown location"

Hans Fahrnholz

As far as I am concerned Trapani and especially Scuola Virgilio is a perfect choice if you want to learn Italian and at the same time immerse into it´s culture. The city, especially old town Trapani, is full of history, charm, and culinary pleasures. It is big enough not to get bored and small enough not to get lost in the hustle like in larger places. And it´s surroundings with beaches, nearby islands and also hill towns like Erice are perfect for bike trips or hikes. So when I went there I could perfectly apply my newly learnt language skills when asking for ferry tickets, the best paths to the Salinas or just getting in touch with locals like at a Salsa course I enrolled in ;-)
At the school I found a very warm and welcoming atmosphere, always supportive, even if I didn´t understand something right away. (My school days were quite some time ago and learning does not come as easy as it once did ;-)) I quickly made progress and enjoyed the different teaching methods. Visual aides, audio exercises, repetitions, homework, dialogues etc. No chance to get either bored or overwhelmed. Our class consisted of 5 or 6 other students of different nationalities and backgrounds as well as age, so it was a great mix and my teachers were all very helpful and encouraging. We also went out together, made a guided tour across town and learned about it´s long lasting history from the Greeks to the Norman up to current times.
All in all I can only recommend Scuola Virgilio, and I will certainly return there the next time I visit Sicilia!

Cari saluti,
Hans

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
2 weeks
Date of study
21 Oct 2018 - 4 Nov 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
01 May 2024

Grazie mille Hans, speriamo di averti di nuovo presto con noi, alla prossima! :-)

"Very good organised school."

Urs Brunschwiler

The school is very good located. Good classrooms with good educated teachers. I liked the activities from school like the interesting sightseeing in Trapani.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
4 weeks
Date of study
1 Oct 2018 - 31 Oct 2018
Would you recommend this school?
Yes

"Great experience!"

Cindi Spinelli

We planned on attending classes in April 2020 but COVID prevented that happening. When we were able to travel, it was very easy to get our classes rescheduled. I really enjoyed the small personalized classes. I also enjoyed the orientation walk through Trapani with Stefano. My husband and I are a different levels in our Italian and both really enjoyed our classes.

Not only is the Scuola a really nice experience but Trapani is a great setting to practice your Italian. In fact, we are coming agin this year for another week of classes!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
78 weeks
Date of study
24 Oct 2022 - 26 Apr 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
27 April 2024

Thanks Cinzia, looking forward to seeing you and Mike again soon!

"A very good language school in Trapani, Sicily"

Michael L Stemmeler

I attended a two-week Italian language course at Scuola Virgilio in the summer of 2023. During both weeks the course was very well structured and excellently delivered by the instructor. At the end of each week a summary of the vocabulary and grammar items of the week's lessons was delivered to each student's e-mail box. I still look at these files today. Even though the class composition changed from one week to the next, depending on how many students at what specific levels attended the class(es), sufficient attention was given to each participant throughout the week. For my second week at the school, I also registered for the afternoon sessions. This was a good way to enhance the learning and comprehension of materials acquired during the morning sessions. During both weeks my class was taught by the same energetic teacher who used many handouts and media to make learning the language a real pleasure.
The central location of the school in Trapani, opposite a city park, was very convenient for me since I had rented a studio in the vicinity.
Trapani itself is a lovely, ancient city with lots of things to see, historical and modern, and is in the vicinity of many other important sites in Northern and Western Sicily, as well as several small islands well worth visiting.
Matter of fact, I have already decided to attend another two-week school session at the beginning of September this year.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
14 Aug 2023 - 25 Aug 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School DIrector at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
27 April 2024

Hey Michael, many many thanks for your exhaustive account, can't wait to have you with us again in a few months' time! A presto :-)

"I had a very positive experience and met many friendly helpful people"

James Lodato

I was very pleased with the course I took at Scuola Virgilio in Trapani. The instructor was excellent and there were many extra curricular experiences offered, opportunities to use the language. Stefano was a great tour guide and I learned a lot about Trapani and the environs. I've studied Italian for a number of years at many different schools and Scuola Virgilio is among the best of the schools in my opinion.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
1 week
Date of study
6 Nov 2023 - 17 Nov 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Instructor at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
27 April 2024

Grazie Jim, avere te e Kathryn con noi l'anno scorso è stato un piacere che speriamo di rinnovare presto!

"The experience was great, good teachers , I have learned a lot"

Adriana Correa Marinacci

I like the way they teach Italian! Was always very clear ! , also the activitiesof the school was great, another way to learn interacting with the other students and out of school.
The location was great, and the classroom was nice and clear.
Will go again some day!!

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
7 Oct 2024 - 28 Oct 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
27 April 2024

Ciao Adriana, è stato bellissimo avere te e tuo marito con noi per due settimane, speriamo di rivedervi presto!

"A great mix overweening professional and open hearted"

Richard Rippinger

I wanted to stay somewhere in Sicily for several weeks. By the ocean and not too touristic. Stefano convinced me that Trapani would be the right choice and he was absolutely right! The school organised a place for me to stay in a shared flat, so I already met people that way. Classes were small, so that everyone got the individual attention they needed from the teacher. In my case, that was the quick witted, sunshine turned human, Vitalba. I had an amazing summer. The food, the wine, the people, roof top parties, Shakespeare in Sicilian dialect in a Greek theatre on a mountain top...magnificu! And I also improved my Italian significantly. Thank you.

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
Social activities
School location
Housing
Duration of study
3 weeks
Date of study
16 Jul 2023 - 10 Aug 2023
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
Stefano Grillo, School Director at Scuola Virgilio responded to this review.
27 April 2024

Ciao bello! :-D
Grazie per le tue belle parole, torna presto!

housing

Housing

Scuola Virgilio offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast

£ 266
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Trapani
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, and air conditioning
Distance to school: 5 - 15 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Saturday, anytime
Check-out: Saturday, anytime
£ 266
Host Family Accommodation in Trapani – available for junior, adult and senior students
The rooms: Single and double rooms are available in the home of local individuals or families. Shared bathroom is the most common option, although in some cases a private bathroom (non ensuite) is available.
The apartments: Being private residences, they can vary considerably in size or layout but they are generally located in apartment buildings with or without elevators. They are all located within walking distance from Scuola Virgilio.
The families: Both couples and single adults, with/without children. Most of them have several years’ experience hosting foreign students of all ages.
Recommendations: This type of accommodation is not recommended to complete beginners. Since some hosts speak little or no English (or any other language besides Italian), failure to communicate could lead to misunderstandings, making everyday life together difficult. Generally, to fully benefit from the daily oral
communication in Italian the student should have at least some prior basic knowledge of the language.
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. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged 50 € when you register.

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 Trapani 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 Scuola Virgilio staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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