An incredible full language immersion in a stunning part of the country!

I had been looking forward to this trip for well over a year and when we finally met at the train station, it felt like I was meeting up with an old friend! I was greeted with such a warm welcome and I felt immediately at ease with Sira. What a fantastic opportunity to stay with my teacher and to practice my Italian for one week. This experience was so enriching, both linguistically and culturally.
Not only was Sira an excellent tutor, but also an amazing host. I felt well looked after during my entire stay, right up to the very end when Sira took me all the way back to Pisa because Italian Rail had decided to cancel all train services in order to carry out some maintenance work (to everyone’s surprise, including the lady at the ticket office!)
The one-on-one lessons were tailored to my specific needs and goals. We covered a wide range of topics, from grammar and vocabulary to conversational skills, including the world famous Italian hand gestures! (which I had been doing all wrong! Thank you Sira for repeatedly correcting me). The immersive nature of the course meant that I was constantly practicing Italian, whether during formal lessons or casual conversations including with Sira’s friends. This significantly boosted my confidence and provided me with a structured approach to help me carry on learning independently.
Beyond the language lessons, the cultural immersion was a highlight of the trip. We explored mountain villages sheltered from the hordes of tourists, visited historical sites, and enjoyed traditional Italian meals together. These activities provided practical contexts for using the language and deepened my understanding of Italian culture. A typical day started with a language lessons. After lunch I got the chance to relax a bit before we went off exploring the local area. Evenings were reserved for more relaxed interactions, such as dining with my teacher and her friends. Throughout the Summer season there is a myriad of food festivals in the region and Sira’s friend Adriano kindly took me to the anchovy festival which made for a wonderful evening: long tables were laid out and you got to sample delicious food whilst chatting away with fellow diners. This was a truly convivial and memorable experience.
I feel very fortunate to have had this week-long immersion and re-acquaint myself with the Italian language, as well as discover a region of breathtaking beauty, rich in history and with an amazing coastline, vast forests and beautiful mountains!
The programme devised by Sira ensured that I was constantly immersed in the language and culture, where learning was intensive but truly enjoyable!
I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to rapidly improve their Italian while enjoying the beauty and charm of Italy.
Karine – Nottingham, UK (June 2025)