Cultural Activities
TWO ACTIVITIES A WEEK
Centro Machiavelli offers its students extracurricular activities some of which are free and others are not, which take place outside of normal italian language lessons time. They are activities which are aimed at providing elements which can be useful for interpreting the modern day reality in Italy, for appreciating our historic and artistic patrimony and for orientation in our city, country and culture.
The activities also have a clear social function, creating occasions for exchange amongst students from different classes who meet and speak Italian in an authentic rather than an artificial situation.
On request seminar topics can be extended into short courses with conditions and prices to be established according to the specific request. The school’s tape and video library which includes many films of the Italian cinematography tradition can be used by students in the afternoon.
The school offers three different types of activities:
- Seminars on historic and artistic topics and visits to the major points of interest in and around the city:
- introduction to the city: cultural events and services
- walks in the historic centre,
- visits to the main museums and churches,
- excursions to villas and gardens in the outlying areas of the city,
- visits to temporary exhibits and shows of major interest
- visits to Siena, Lucca, Volterra e San Gimignano
- Seminars and visits to understand the social economic makeup of the city and the surrounding area:
- history of the city
- economy of Florence and the surrounding area
- urban development
- visits to artisan workshops and to historic shops
- Visits to companies working in the fashion industry
- Visits to wineries and to farms producing oil and wine.
- Lessons and seminars are held at school with the use of textbooks, slides and videos.
- Recreational Activities (more frequent in the summer months):
- workshop of crafts or cooking
- walks in the countryside
- excursions to the seaside
- excursions by bike,
- dinners and concerts
In the summer the activities are in part linked to the programme proposed by the Town of Florence and to the opera season at the Arena in Verona.
The activities of the first two types are free; students cover their own personal expenses such as museum entrance or bus fare. Seminars are held in Italian using language that can be easily followed by foreigners.