Learning Foreign Languages Abroad with L’Astrolabio—It’s Never Too Early!
There are countless reasons to learn a foreign language, and all of them are crucial! A foreign language under your belt acts as a passport to travel and explore the world more deeply, to meet new people and experience new cultures, to boost your self-confidence and personal skills, to improve your understanding of the world around you, to enhance your career and university prospects, or even to take a job abroad!
The key is to do it the right way from the very beginning—by taking part in courses that are tailored to your students’ ages and language proficiency levels, as we at L’Astrolabio have always done with our schools and courses.
The placement test, which will be set on the first day of school, is designed to determine each student’s language level based on their knowledge and skills.
Once the classes are formed, lessons will begin, taught by experienced, certified teachers specialised in teaching foreign students. Daily lessons are mandatory for all students, and at the end of the course, students will receive a certificate of attendance. This certificate will confirm the level reached and results achieved during the stay, according to international standards, as defined by the “European Framework” established by the Council of Europe (detailed below).
All the study courses offered by L’Astrolabio are recognised by the British Council or a similar body in countries outside the UK. The educational materials are provided by the individual schools.
Explorers Course (ABC)
Suitable for elementary school children aged 7 to 11, this course includes 15 hours of lessons per week.
The Explorers program is designed to engage younger students through fun group activities such as theatre, performing arts, and project-based work that help build confidence while they learn the language and make friends from other countries!
Among the many activities offered are:
- Vocabulary Building & Interactive Communication
- Project-Based Learning
- Environmental Awareness Themes
• Drama & Performance
Voyager Course
Suitable for middle school students aged 11 to 14, this course includes 15 hours of lessons per week, in classes of about 15 students.
The Voyagers program focuses on developing language skills through fun team activities, such as:
• Communicative Language Skills & Functional English
• Content & Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
• Introduction to 21st Century Skills; Creative Thinking, Problem Solving
• Global Citizenship; Cultural Exchange Event, Global Environmental Awareness Projects
Trailblazer Course
Suitable for high school students aged 14 to 17, this course includes 15 hours of lessons per week, in classes of about 15 students.
The Trailblazers program aims to enhance adolescent skills by challenging them to use English in stimulating ways—boosting their confidence and helping them become successful young adults.
The activities offered include:
• Communicative Language Skills & Functional English
• 21st Century Skills; Debating, Business Innovation, Critical Thinking
• Global Citizenship; Cultural Exchange Event & Global Environmental Awareness Projects
General Course
Suitable for middle and high school students, this course includes 15 hours of lessons per week, in classes of about 15 students.
All courses, from beginner to advanced, focus on vocabulary enrichment, practice, and comprehension. Lessons are held either in the morning or afternoon, alternating weeks, or in full-day sessions to maximise time for full-day excursions.
World of Work Course
Designed for students over the age of 14 with a minimum language level of B1.
The World of Work program aims to improve English communication skills to familiarise students with the international job market they may soon be entering. Students will learn how to look for a job, prepare a CV in English, present themselves, and succeed in a job interview.
Certifications
If you’d like to earn a more widely recognised diploma in addition to the standard attendance certificate, you have the option to sign up for an official exam accredited by the Italian Ministry of Public Education, where available. In the UK, we offer the Trinity GESE Exam, and in Ireland, we offer the TIE exam.
Once you decide to register for the Trinity or TIE exam, we recommend discussing the exam topic with your English teacher in Italy before you go. Once you’re abroad, the group leader will support you in making final preparations for the exam.
The certificate of completion will be sent to the student via email.
To sign up for the exam, just select it in the appropriate box on the Registration Application and include the additional fee with your deposit. No reservations can be accepted after May.
Trinity GESE Exam in the UK
This exam involves a one-on-one conversation on a topic of your choice with a teacher from Trinity College London. The exam duration depends on the level you’re aiming for. While abroad, English teachers, along with the group leader, will organise extra preparation sessions at no additional cost. Each exam session requires a minimum of 15 participants and will be held online.
TIE in Ireland
The Test of Interactive English includes both a written and oral exam, based on topics prepared in Italy before you arrive. These sections are assessed separately. The exam is suitable for all levels, from beginner to advanced, and lasts about an hour and a half.
The exam is only available in Dublin, and you may need to travel between centres to take the exam.
| Common European Framework of Reference for Languages | Trinity | TIE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Understands and uses everyday expressions and basic phrases for concrete needs. Can introduce themselves and others, and ask and answer simple questions about personal information. Interacts simply, as long as the other person speaks slowly and clearly. | 2 | 1 |
| A2 | Understands frequently used phrases related to personal and family information, shopping, environment, and work. Can communicate on routine topics that require direct information exchange. Able to engage in short conversations and express immediate needs with simple phrases. | 3-4 | 2 |
| B1 | Understands the key points of familiar topics related to school and leisure activities. Can handle situations while traveling in a country where the language is spoken. Able to describe experiences, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, and explain their opinions and plans briefly. | 5-6 | 3 |
| B2 | Understands most texts on current events, news, and films. Can interact with ease, allowing smooth communication with native speakers. Able to produce clear texts and explain a viewpoint, providing pros and cons on a current issue. | 7-8-9 | 4 |
| C1 | Understands long speeches and complex texts and can grasp implicit meaning. Speaks fluently and naturally, using language flexibly and effectively for social, professional, and academic purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, and detailed texts, concluding appropriately. | 10-11 | 5 |
| C2 | Can summarise information from various sources, both spoken and written, and present it coherently. Able to express themselves smoothly and write clear, detailed texts, summaries, and reviews of literary or specialised works. | 12 | 6 |