HAVE A LOOK INSIDE THE NEW SCHOOL!

Our Italian language school is located in the heart of Taormina. Taormina has been built atop Mount Tauro, just above the Bay of Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 735 b.c. The magnificient Mediterranean-blue bay and Mount Volcano Etna on the back offer a spectacular view from almost everywhere in town.

Our courses of Italian and programs are held at “Casa Silva”. “Casa Silva” is an historic villa, just 200 metres from the Greek Theatre : an architectural, natural treasure that Taormina has miraculously managed to conserve. The villa is hidden from view by an impressive stone wall that separates it from the steps of Via Timoleone. Built in 1811, in the park that at the time included the current public gardens, the property was owned by Professor Salvatore Cacciola, mayor of Taormina for many years during the 19th century and husband to Lady Florence Trevelyan, a cousin to the English royal family. The villa still today boasts a luxurious botanical garden filled with citrus trees, Mediterranean plants, centuries-old palms, monkey puzzle trees and magnolias, as well as many other exotic trees and plants.

Both impressive and elegant at the same time, “Casa Silva” reflects - in its architectural style and use of varied materials - the eclectic taste of Professor Cacciola. He was a cosmopolitan traveller like many Sicilian gentlemen of that period, an expert in the field of medicine, and together with his wife Lady Trevelyan created the villa as a stone representation of his cultural interests, a harmonic mix of classic culture, Sicilian tradition, exotic travels, hints of the Orient (very much in fashion during the 19th century) fused together in a sophisticated and intriguing combination, showing a Sicily of a time gone by.

“Casa Silva” is protected by the Sovrintendenza alle Belle Arti (the National Agency for the preservation of Art and Monuments).

At “Casa Silva”, BABILONIA hosts Book Presentations by authors, a Cine-Forum and in summertime, Painting and Sculpture exhibitions in its 1,000 square metres of botanical garden. Additionally, Live Theatre Performances and Live Concerts (jazz and classical music) are offered. In the net-c@fé located in the WI-FI garden students can enjoy their leisure time under the lush green trees to study, relax and meet their classmates.

A kitchen hosts our cooking courses and students can buy coffee, cappuccino, fruit salad, croissants, cakes and typical Sicilian dishes in our cafeteria.

While maintaining our high calibre of academic teaching qualities, Babilonia is not just a language school, but truly a Cultural Centre, open both to the local community and to our international students who will gain a wider cultural experience and the chance to easily interact and integrate with the local community.

Our school is accredited by:

• the Italian Ministry of Education

• A.S.I.L.S. - Association of Schools of Italian as Second Language -

• the University for Foreigners of Perugia as Authorised Exam Centre

• the University "Ca' Foscari" of Venice as Teacher Training Centre for graduating teachers of Italian as Foreign Language Master ITALS

• Agency for Higher Education for C.S.N., for loans and grants to students in Sweden

• Frei and Hansestadt of Hamburg for Bildungsurlaub in Germany

• U.S. College & University Credits

All teachers at Babilonia are university graduates and many speak at least one or two other foreign languages. Most have studied foreign languages at university and abroad and all have been trained to teach Italian as a foreign language. We organize our own ongoing in-house teacher training program and teachers participate regularly in scheduled teacher training seminars and workshops offered by the A.S.I.L.S., as well as by other professional national and international organizations We would all love to welcome you soon and help you to have an unforgettable, personal, cultural and educational experience at our school.

Watch our video on-line to know how beautiful Taormina is and to get familiar with our school.

Here on-line also press-clippings about our school

A quick overview on our school and Italian courses

Maximum class size	10
Number  of levels	6
Minimum age	17
Maximum age	no limit
Average age	from 17 to 75
Beginners accepted	Yes
Junior programs offered	On request
Average size of school high season	50-65 students
Average size of school low season	12-25 students
1000 sq. botanical garden	yes
Student lounge	yes
Internet access for students, high speed connection, wireless area	Yes, with no extra charge
TV, VCR, CD-roms, stereo, video & audio tapes for students	Yes
Library for students	Yes
Cafeteria and Restaurant	Yes
Air conditioning in the classrooms	Yes
Student card for discounts for shopping	Yes
First day package	Yes

Our office is the central core of activity for our school. All class registrations, accommodations, extra-curricular activities, etc. are coordinated from this central point.

At the beginning of each major school session (listed in the course schedule) there is a general introduction to the school, Taormina and an update and explanation of points of interest and local activities. The school office can also facilitate in making connections for various excursions, agencies, appointments, and activities as desired.

THE STAFF AT OUR CENTRE FOR ITALIAN STUDIES

Alessandro Adorno, founder & school director
Angela,        finance & accomodation manager
Natalina,             administration
Rosy,             marketing assistant
Anita,          studies coordinator
Peppe,          social activities coordinator
Paolo,               IT manager

Alessandro founder & school director	Angela finance & accomodation manage	Natalina administration	Rosy marketing assistant
Anita  studies coordinator	Peppe social activities coordinator	Paolo IT manager

Study & learn Italian in Italy with BABILONIA - Centre for Italian Studies - Taormina, Sicily