Frequently Asked Questions

> Why choose San Bartolomeo al Mare?
> What is the climate like in San Bartolomeo al Mare?
> When can I start the Italian course?
> What happens on the first day of the Italian course?
> What is the Italian lesson timetable?
> What course book is used in class for Italian lesson?
> What is your teaching method?
> Does the school issue a certificate?
> Does the school close on Italian national holidays?
> What is the average age of the students?
> How do I apply for an Italian course?
> Are there cancellation costs if I annul my reservation?
> What kind of accommodation do you offer to students?
> Is linen provided?
> Can I share a double room even if I’m travelling alone?
> Can I take my dog with me?
> If I travel with my family, is there a baby-sitting service that can look after my children while I’m in class?
> Can I have an apartment for exclusive use?
> Can I book a course without accommodation?
> Can I book accommodation for my travel companion even if they are not doing a course?
> How far are the apartments and hotels from the school?
> Do the hotels and apartments have a car park?
> Is it difficult to park near the school?
> When must I pay for the course?
> How can I pay for the course?
> Can I hire a bicycle or a motorbike?
> Is there Internet access for students
> Which is the nearest airport?
> Which is the most convenient rail station?
> How do I get from Diano Marina to the school?
> Does the school offer any insurance to students?




Why choose San Bartolomeo al Mare?
San Bartolomeo is a small town, brought to life by the many events celebrated here throughout the year, and which cater for the most varied of interests: from classical music to olive oil tasting. Meanwhile, you can simply bask on the beach, enjoy sports activities, or even discover a charming and little known corner of Italy.

What is the climate like in San Bartolomeo al Mare?
The climate is very mild with an average temperature in winter of 15° and in summer of 30°.

When can I start the Italian course?
On any Monday from March 03.2008 to November 17.2008.

What happens on the first day of the Italian course?
You arrive at the school at 9am to do a small written test. This enables us to stream students into groups according to their linguistic level.
Lessons begin at 11am at the latest.

What is the Italian lesson timetable?
Standard course: group lessons from 9.15am - 10.45am - BREAK - 11.15am - 12.45pm.
Intensive course: group lessons from 9.15am - 10.45am - BREAK - 11.15am - 12.45pm - BREAK - one-to-one lessons from 1.30pm - 3pm.

What course book is used in class for Italian lesson?
All learning materials are provided free of charge by the school, and for the most part consist of items developed by the teachers, along with authentic materials adapted for the lessons.

What is your teaching method?
We use the direct method: Italian is spoken in class from the very first day. The lessons focus on conversation.

Does the school issue a certificate?
At the end of the course, we issue a certificate of attendance indicating the number of hours of class and the linguistic level attained.

Does the school close on Italian national holidays?
No. Either we run the class on the public holiday or we make up the lesson on Saturday.

What is the average age of the students?
To an extent this depends on the time of year. Over the summer months, the average age of the students is around 25; in low season the average age tends to be higher.

How do I apply for an Italian course?
By e-mail, by post, by fax, or even by telephone if you prefer. When we receive your application, we will send you the confirmation by post and request a deposit.

Are there cancellation costs if I annul my reservation?
Up to 31 days before arrival: no-charge; 30 days before arrival: 30% of the whole
amount. 14 days before arrival: 50%; No-show: 100% of the whole amount.
There is no refund or reduction offered to students who leave prior to completion
of the course, or who arrive after the course has begun.

What kind of accommodation do you offer to students?
You can stay in an apartment in San Bartolomeo al Mare with other students of the school (max. 4 people per apartment) or in a hotel in San Bartolomeo al Mare or Diano Marina on a half board basis. In the apartments, use of the kitchen and bathroom is shared.

Is linen provided?
Bed linen is provided but students must bring their own bath and kitchen towels.

Can I share a double room even if I’m travelling alone?
If you are travelling alone you can share a double room in an apartment, but not in a hotel.

Can I take my dog with me?
Yes. If you let us know in advance, we can reserve a hotel or an apartment for you that accepts pets.

If I travel with my family, is there a baby-sitting service that can look after my children while I’m in class?
Yes, we can reserve a baby-sitter for you. In San Bartolomeo there is also a recreational facility that accepts children from 0 to 12 years of age, even for just a few hours a day.

Can I have an apartment for exclusive use?
Yes, please contact us for a quote.

Can I book a course without accommodation?
Yes.

Can I book accommodation for my travel companion even if they are not doing a course?
Yes.

How far are the apartments and hotels from the school?
The hotels and apartments are all a maximum of fifteen minutes walk from the school.

Do the hotels and apartments have a car park?
Not all of them. If it is important to you, please request this when making your booking.

Is it difficult to park near the school?
No, it is not a problem, except maybe the two middle weeks in August.

When must I pay for the course?
When you make your booking we request a deposit, with the balance payable on the first day of the course.

How can I pay for the course?
You can pay by postal order, bank transfer or in cash. We do not accept credit cards.
Bank details: CA.RI.GE, Agenzia 308 in San Bartolomeo al Mare IBAN IT93 G061 7549 0600 0000 0367 520 Code BIC CRGEITGG308, account n°3675/20.

Can I hire a bicycle or a motorbike?
Yes.

Is there Internet access for students?
You can access the Internet at the school, free of charge. In San Bartolomeo al Mare you can also access the Internet for a charge at Computers Point, Via Roma 91 (commercial opening hours).

Which is the nearest airport?
Nice and Genoa airports are both approx. 100 Km from San Bartolomeo.
A transfer to the school from either airport by taxi costs around 140.00 euros.
By public transport:
From Genoa airport take the n° 100 “Volabus” service (every 30 mins from 6.15am to 11.30pm, cost approx. 3.00 euros) or a taxi (cost approx. 18.00 euros) to Piazza Principe rail station, and take a train to Diano Marina from there.
From Nice airport take bus n° 99 “SNCF Direct” (every 30 mins from 8.00am to 9.00pm, cost approx. 4.00 euros) or a taxi (cost approx. 28.00 euros) to Nice Ville rail station, and take a train to Diano Marina from there.

Which is the most convenient rail station?
Diano Marina.

How do I get from Diano Marina to the school?
To go from Diano Marina to Poliedro you can take a taxi (cost approx. 12.00 euros) or the local bus (“Riviera Trasporti” heading towards Andora) (cost approx. 1.50 euros).

Does the school offer any insurance to students?
No, neither health insurance nor in case of theft, etc. The school offers no insurance to students, and for health cover we recommend that EU citizens bring the E111 form with them.



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