Frequently Asked Questions about learning italian in Italy (Camerano - Marches Region)
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How
can I reach Camerano?
Camerano
is a town of 7.000 inhabitants 5 km south of Ancona, the capital of the Marches
Region. You can easily reach it:
-
by car: Motorway A14 exit Ancona sud. Follow directions for Camerano.
-
by train: Direct links to/from Ancona from Bologna, Milan, Rome, Turin and, in
summer time, from European countries.
-
by plane: Ancona airport “Raffaello Sanzio” – daily flights to/from Rome,
Milan, London- Stansted, Munich, Paris, Barcellona.
-
by ship: port of Ancona – ferries to/from Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Egypt.
What about travelling by car to Camerano?
Coming
by your own car or renting one is a very good idea. Camerano is a small town where you will
easily find parkings free of charge. There is no criminality. Furthermore, you
will be able to move as you want without depending on public transports.
It
is also possible to hire a car in Ancona, both at the airport and at the railway
station (Europecar, Hertz, Maggiore etc.)
How
can I reach you?
Centro
Culturale Conero offers a pick up service to/from Ancona airport and train
station. The service is available from 7.00. to 24.00. Costs: Euros 25 from
Ancona train station to Camerano; 35 Euros from Ancona airport to Camerano, or
from Ancona train station to the sea; Euros 40 from Ancona airport to the sea.
If you wish the school to arrange a transfer, please send us the arrival
information (date and time of arrival and flight or train number) possibly with
the enrolment form or at least a week before your arrival.
Ancona
is however well connected with Camerano from 6.25 to 20.05 by a good bus service
departing from the train station (that you can reach by bus from the airport in
40 min.). Otherwise you can take a taxi, which costs about Euros 35 from Ancona
to Camerano, and about Euros 40 from the airport to Camerano.
What
should I expect upon arriving?
We
will meet on the Sunday before commencing your course at 19.00 h. in front of
the school for a facultative light snack or a dinner in a typical Italian
“trattoria” in order to get to know each other and better verify your
language level. If you haven't sent us your placement test yet, bring it with
you to this meeting.
Where can I get a map of town?
What
about the climate?
Camerano
and its surroundings have a typical Mediterranean climate. Summer is quite warm,
with hot weeks in July and August. Spring and first autumn are milder, though it
is still possible to bathe in the sea. In winter temperature rarely goes under
zero.
Average
summer temperatures range from 18° C to 35° C . Average winter temperatures,
from 5° C to 15°C.
What
about bicycles?
The
Marches are characterised by a landscape of low hills, except for the Sibillini
Mountains and the Mount Cònero. If you want to take your own bicycle (or to
hire one), please take in consideration that moving from a town to another might
be hard, unless you are not properly trained. The use of mountainbikes is on the
contrary more common, both on roads and on special routes in the country.
What
about public transports?
Camerano,
thanks to a good bus service (linee Reni), is well connected with the main
resort places of the area (Sirolo, Marcelli, Numana), where some of our students
choose to live, as well as with towns of interest (Loreto, Castelfidardo, Osimo)
and to the capital of the region, Ancona, just 5 km far. Tickets can be
purchased at tobacconists’ and newsagents’, and are supposed to be
obliterated on board. The school direction, upon request, can provide student
bus passes for 1,2,3 weeks or monthly passes.
From
Ancona there are good bus services towards all the main towns of the region. The
railway station, one of the most important of the Adriatic coast, connects
Ancona with Bologna (2 h.), Rome (3.30 h.) and Pescara (1.30 h.). The airport
“Raffaello Sanzio” offers daily flights to Rome, Milan, Munich, London,
Paris, Barcellona, Moscow, Bucarest and, in summer season, to other
destinations. The port, one of the most active for passengers, is a traditional
gate to Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Israel.
Are
there restaurants in Camerano?
In
Camerano you can find restaurants, pizzerias and snack-bars.
Right
on the Piazza Roma is “Strologo” (closed on Mondays), a cheap trattoria
where, in a familiar atmosphere, you can enjoy the typical food of our region. A
few metres far, in via Garibaldi, is a very good restaurant, “Kren”,
whose refined menu offers mainly fish along with great quality wines. Another
restaurant is that of the Hotel “Tre Querce”, in via Giovanni XXIII, where you
can have typical dishes of the Marches. In the countryside, just outside
Camerano, there are 3 ex-farmhouses with a typical restaurant,
specialised in home -made and -grown food (agriturismo): “Il Girasole” (in
the direction of Castelfidardo), “Il Corbezzolo” (in the direction of
Marcelli), “La Giuggiola” (in the direction of Ancona).
For
a fast snack (pizzas, salads, sandwiches, pasta etc.) we suggest you one of the bars
near the centre (Bar Bosco, Bar L'altro Mondo) or the pizzerias along via
Garibaldi, piazza Roma or via Maratti. Opposite the bus stop
“campo sportivo” you can find a friendly “tavola calda-pizzeria”.
Marcelli, Numana and Sirolo and Ancona offer such a wide range of choices you could hardly eat twice in the same place even staying there all summer long.
Is
there a post office?
The
post office is in Via Martiri d. Libertà. Open time: 8.30 – 13.30
Is
there a bank where I can change money or use the ATM (automatic teller machine)?
In
Camerano there are 4 banks (open time: 8.30 –13.00 /14.30 –15.30), all
of them with a ATM (automatic teller machine) point 24h. a day). Closed on
Saturdays and Sundays.
Is
there a public telephone?
Besides
the public telephones in bars and the phone boxes you can use with a phone card
purchasable at tobacconists’ or newsagents’, there is a public telephone at
the stationary’s in via Garibaldi, near piazza Roma.
Is
there an internet point?
All
students of centro Culturale Conero have FREE WI-FI DSL INTERNET ACCESS directly
at the school, during school working time. They can use their own laptops or one
of the computers available at school.
At Bar Bosco there is also a WI-FI connection which you can use with your laptop.
Internet points are in Ancona, Numana and Osimo
Where
can I send a fax from?
Faxes
can be sent from the stationaries’ (cartoleria) in via Garibaldi and in
via Papa Giovanni XXIII (opposite Hotel “Tre Querce”). At our school you can
receive faxes free of charge and send them (against a fee).
Where
can I go shopping?
In
Camerano there are supermarkets, groceries, bakers’ and all the main shops
where you can buy local specialities like wine, cheese or ham. For clothes,
shoes, books, CDs or anything else we suggest you Ancona or Civitanova Marche,
world centre of shoe production and real economic capital of the region, 25 km
south of Camerano. Shops usual open time: 9.00 – 12.30 / 16.30 – 19.30.
Near
Camerano there are two megastores (Malls), Mercatone Zeta and Auchan, you can
easily reach by car or, on Wednesday mornings, by a free bus from Camerano. Both
are open from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Typical
of Italy are the weekly markets, usually offering special genuine products and
clothes at cheaper prices. Here are the markets scheduled in our surroundings:
Monday:
Castelfidardo
Tuesday:
Ancona
Wednesday: Camerano – Numana - Marcelli
Thursday: Osimo – Porto Recanati
Friday: Ancona - Sirolo
Saturday:
Civitanova Marche – Recanati
Are
there churches?
In
Camerano, just like in any Italian town or city, there are churches with daily
messes. Centres of other religions are in Ancona (Jewish Comunity, via
Fanti 2; Islamic Centre, via Maggini 274: Scientology, via Lamaticci 12).
Is
there a touristic office?
The
touristic office in Camerano is in via Maratti 22.
We
are anyway at your disposal to give you any information you may need.
Where
can I get further information about the Marches from?
You
can have further information visiting the website www.le-marche.com
or, of course, on our own site (www.linguaitaliana.com), where you can find a
rich links section.
Is
there a travel agency?
The
travel agency is in via Garibaldi 67. It is open only on scheduled days. Train
tickets can anyway be purchased only at the railway station.
Are
there sport centres?
In Camerano there is the “Tennis Club” in via Fermi (tel. 071-959428) and the “Società Bocciofila Cameranese” in via Bagacciano 8 (tel. 071-959580).
On
the way to Marcelli there is the luxurious “Conero Golf Club” in via
Betelico 6 (tel. 071-7360380). Several are in the surroundings the riding
centres, often by “agriturismi”
where you can enjoy homemade specialities: “Il Corbezzolo” c.da Piancarda
124 Massignano (tel. 071-2139039); “Il Ritorno”, via Piani d’Aspio 12
Sirolo (te. 071-9331544); “Hornos”, via del Musone 1 Numana (tel.
071-7390076).
Fitness
centres offer courses of aerobics, step, spinning, body building, along with
saunas and massages. Among them,CARMAS in Coppo di Sirolo, easely reachable by
bus (tel.071-7360016) or the “Blue Centre” of Loreto (tel. 071-7501554). The
nearest public swimming pool is in Ancona, via Ruggeri (tel. 071-2861673).
Endless
are of course the possibilities of sea sports: sailing, water skiing, swimming,
diving.
Are
there thermes?
In
the area of Camerano, near the motorway exit, there are the “Terme
dell’Aspio”, via Aspio Terme (tel. 071- 95691), open from May to October and
ideal for stomach and liver diseases.
In
San Vittore di Genga, 70 km far along the Ancona-Fabriano road, there are, by
the world famous caves of Frasassi, sulfureus thermes to cure skin and lungs
illnesses (tel. 0732-90444).
Is
there a hospital?
In
Camerano, at the institute “Ceci”in via Marinelli 3, there are a First Aid
point led by the Yellow Cross (tel. 071-95247), and a centre for special visits
(071-959412). In Ancona there are several hospitals, among which that of
Torrette, one of the greatest in Central Italy..
Centro
Culturale Conero can provide a doctor whenever you are in need of a consultation
or medical care.
Is
there a chemist’s?
The
chemist’s is in piazza Roma 13. Homeopatic chemists’ can be found in Ancona
as well as 24-hour pharmacies. You should not forget to take, if necessary, your
own medical prescriptions.
Where
is the school located?
Centro
Culturale Conero is in via Fontanelle 2, just 5 minutes walking from the main
square (Piazza Roma) and from the last bus stop of “Viale Ceci” (coming from
Marcelli) and first bus stop of Via Marinelli (coming from Ancona).
In
the months of June, July and August we use also a second building in via delle
Mura, near the main square "Piazza Roma"
How
can I reach the school?
Our
accommodations are located in Camerano as well as in resort places at the
seaside. In any case you can easily reach the school by public transport. To get
from the seaside to the school it takes 15/20 minutes by public transport. If
you live in Camerano it takes from 2 to 10 minutes walking.
Which
is the next starting date?
You
can start your Italian language course every 2 weeks on Mondays:
2008 starting dates:
18 Feb., 3 Mar., 17 Mar., 31 Mar., 14 Apr., 28 Apr., 12 May, 26 May, 9 Jun., 23 Jun., 7 Jul., 21 Jul.,
4 Aug., 18 Aug., 1 Sep., 15 Sep., 29 Sep., 13 Oct., 27 Oct.
What
am I supposed to do on the first day at school?
You
are supposed to be at the school at 9 am. You will join a group at your same
level, unless otherwise requested.
How
many levels are the courses divided into?
The
courses are divided into min. 5 teaching levels:
-
beginner level
-
elementary
level
-
pre-intermediate
level
-
intermediate
level
-
advanced level
How
will I be assigned an appropriate level?
The
level will be assigned through a written test that we will send you (mail, e
mail, fax) or that you can download
here
and that you should fill out and return before your arrival. On the first meeting on Sunday, if necessary,
there will be an oral interview with one of the teachers.
When
do the lessons take place?
Lessons
normally take place from Monday to Friday in the morning and/or in the
afternoon.
On national festivities, local holidays (Easter Monday, 25th April, 1st May, 15th August, 1st November) the school is closed and lessons are not held.
How
is a typical course day organised?
A
standard course day schedule includes:
9.00am
– 10.30am: lessons 10.30am –
10.40am: coffee break 10.40am –
12.30am: lessons
Three
times a week the school organizes afternoon events you can take part to (against
a fee):
Monday:
trekking excursion (free of charge)
Wednesday:
trip to a place of art (Urbino, Ascoli Piceno, Ancona, Fermo, Tolentino,
Urbisaglia, Jesi etc.)
Friday: wine tasting tour in a typical wine farm, cooking course etc.
We
also offer everyone games, treasure hunts or nights on the beach where, with the
help of a glass of local wine (Rosso Conero) and of a dish of spaghetti, you
will have good chances to improve your Italian.
What
books will I use in the lessons?
Our
basic text and exercise books have been conceived by long experienced teachers.
They are used together with complementary materials such as newspaper and
magazine articles, audiovisual materials, and other activities.
Is
the teaching material included in the course price?
The
cost of all text books and other supplies is fully included in the enrolment
fee.
What
teaching method do you use?
Our
lessons have a conversational based teaching approach to the language, to allow
even beginners to communicate in Italian. All courses include not only language
lessons but also glances into various aspects of the Italian way of life (every
day situations, songs, recipes, traditions, etc.).
Our
courses are led by native speakers with a University degree, each speaking at
least two foreign languages. They have a specialization in teaching italian as a
second language and a broad experience gathered in our school and in other
private and public institutes.
How
many students are there in a group?
Groups
will range from 5 to 9 students (average 5/6 in the summer and less in the
winter).
Will
I receive a certificate?
At
the end of each course each student will receive a certificate of attendance
indicating the level of proficiency attained.
Can
I receive credits for American Universities?
We
can send certificates to American Universities. Please ask us for more
information.
What
is the average age of students attending the school?
Our
students are aged between 18 and 70. Students aged 30 or less usually choose a
summer course whereas the average age in spring or autumn is higher.
What progress can I expect to do assuming I am an absolute beginner, I am ready to work hard and good at languages?
We
offer 5 different course levels: beginner level- elementary level -
pre-intermediate level - intermediate level - advanced level. Each standard
course usually consists of 20 lessons per week.
If
you are good at languages, attend the lessons regularly and try to apply your
notions in everyday situations (shops, restaurants, people you may meet), you
will notice how naturally and even easily you can be taught a language. Our aim
is to fully introduce you into pragmatic- communicative situations and, at the
same time, get you acquainted with the grammar rules.
Centro
Culturale Conero offers Universities, Italian Culture Institutes and “Società
Dante Alighieri” all over the world a certain amount of scholarships covering
50% the cost of standard courses. For further details you can ask these
institutions or contact the school.
Where
will I stay? How can I reach the school?
Our
accommodations are located in Camerano as well as in resort places at the
seaside ( Marcelli, Numana). In any case you can easily reach the school by
public transport. To get from the seaside to the school it takes 15/20 minutes
by public transport. If you live in Camerano it takes from 2 to 10 minutes
walking.
What
kinds of accommodation do you offer?
Upon
request and with a reasonable advance we can find you a comfortable and
convenient accommodation becoming
your needs. Lodging will be
provided in hotels, “agriturismi” (ex-farm houses with a typical
restaurant), bed & breakfast, apartments or in selected families.
Which
board types can I choose?
Most
hotels and Pensioni as well as some of the host families
offer different types of board: breakfast – half board – full board.
Which
kinds of room can I choose?
In
any kind of accomodation you can choose between a
single or a double room. The latter is anyway not always available. We also
suggest older people not to share a room, because they might have a boy
or a girl as a room-mate, whose habits and attitudes are normally very
different from theirs.
What
should I expect about meals?
A
typical Italian breakfast (usually served at 8.00 a.m.) normally includes bread,
butter, jam/marmalade, or biscuits, as well as coffee, milk or tea. At lunch
(13.00) you will be offered a first course (pasta or soup), a second course
(meat or fish) with vegetables, and fruit or cake. Dinner (20.30) is our main
meal: first and second courses along with vegetables and fruit or cake are the
usual dishes, though you can sometimes be offered pizza or some other
specialities. Water and wine are always on the table. At the end of the meal we
usually drink black coffee.
If
you have got special needs, likes or dislikes, please let us know with a
reasonable advance.
What
about accommodation in families?
Our
host families are carefully selected. You will have the chance of enjoying a
friendly atmosphere, practicing Italian in daily life situations and tasting
homemade food.
The
use of a part of the refrigerator, hand-washing of clothes, as well as the use
of the ironing board, is usually permitted with no extra charge. The use of the
washing-machine and of the kitchen is generally not allowed, but arrangements
can be made with the landlady.
If
you choose a Bed&Breakfast or a half board accomodation, please keep in mind
that the use of the kitchen to cook your own food is normally not included.
The
best payment is cash. A receipt can be asked the family, not the school.
You
can either have a flat for your own or share it with other students from our
school, in a single or in a double room. Kitchen and bathroom would be, in this
last case, of common use. Each apartment is furnished and the kitchen is
supplied with all essential utilities (cutlery, plates, pans etc.). You can
prepare your meals separately or together with your flatmates and fellow
students.
Electricity,
gas, water, local costs are included in the price, unless
otherwise specified. In winter heating costs will be separately calculated. The
apartments are cleaned before your arrival and have to be left clean. During the staying,
your flatmates and you are responsible for the cleaning of your room and
of the rooms used in common (kitchen and bathroom). Normally there is no
telephone in the apartment. You should bring some food for the Sunday of arrival
and Monday morning, as food stores are closed on Sundays. Italy uses a 220
Volts/AC system. Plugs may differ from those in your home country and it is
possible that you need an adapter. Usually there are washing machines in the
apartments.
A
deposit (100,00 Euros) or an account (30%) might be requested.
Apartments have to
be paid in cash. A receipt can be asked the owner, not the school.
Do
I need to take my own bed-lines and towels?
You
don’t, except if you stay in apartment. You can however hire bed-lines here at
the price of Euros 15. Towels can hardly be hired. We recommend to take yours
own
What
about accommodation in a hotel or in an “agriturismo” (ex- farm house)?
We
can reserve for you a hotel or an “agriturismo” situated in Camerano, in the
country or by the sea (Marcelli, Numana, Sirolo). Prices are according to the
categories of hotels and the season. Please make your reservation well in
advance.
As
to the accomodation in an “agriturismo”, it is usually a simple room with
basic facilities. You live nevertheless in contact with nature and the prices
are normally cheap.
Yes,
you are. We need to know them well in advance in order to make the waiting time
for you and your hosts as short as possible. And, eventually, to organize your
pick up.
Launderettes
are not widely spread. There are anyway laundries where you can have your
clothes cleaned in a very short time (24h.), though are not that cheap.
Miscellaneous F.A.Q.
Citizens
from the European Union can enter Italy with an Identification card or a
Passport. Citizens from other countries should check with the nearest Italian
Embassy or Consulate.
If
you need a visa to enter Italy, or to extend your stay for more than 90 days,
you should apply for a “type D” (student) visa. Centro Culturale Conero will
provide you, after enrolment and payment of the deposit, with a certificate of
registration for your visa application.
Which
is the Italian currency ?
Since
1st January 2002 twelve member countries of the European Union have
adopted a common currency called “Euro”. From 1st March 2002 on
local currencies will no longer be circulating and the only accepted currency in
Italy will be the Euro. Currencies from the other Euro member countries will
also no longer be accepted or changed, i.e. ATS, BEF, DEM, ESP, FIM, FRF, GRD,
IEP, LUF, NLG, PTE.
It is however still possible to change other currencies: $, CHF, GBP, JPY, etc.
Where
and when is it better to change money?
If
you want to change large amounts of money, you better to do it in Italy. You
should also bring cash for the first few days (taxi, bus tickets, small
purchases, etc). In change offices commission rates are higher. The cheapest
ones are at the bank. For a stay longer than 3 months, opening a bank account
might even be more convenient. We can give you information about it.
What
about payments?
Credit
Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Euro-Cheques can be changed in banks (each
Euro check is guaranteed max for Euros 200). You can receive money at Automatic
Teller Machines (ATM), if you have an ATM card linked to an international
network (Eurocard, Cirrus, Plus, Maestro etc.). Mastercard and Visa (with PIN
number) may be used to withdraw cash from an ATM machine. In Europe, ATMs do not
often accept PINs with more than 4 digits. Cash from ATM is only in Euro. The
daily amount is limited.
How
can I pay you?
You
can pay the school and/or accommodation with Euro-Cheques (changing costs at the
student’s charge), Credit Cards or, of course, cash.
Euros
60 per week, in addition to the costs of accommodation and food, should be
enough.
What
about electricity?
Italy
uses a 220 Volts/AC system. Additionally, wall sockets and plugs may differ from
those in your home country. Be sure to get information about the possible need
for an adapter before your departure.
During
your staying at our school you must be personally insured against illness and
accident. Contact your insurance company to ask whether your personal insurance
is valid abroad. Otherwise purchase a travel insurance. Members of the national
insurance-companies in EU countries should demand the E111 form to obtain free
health service in Italy.Robbery coverage is often included in personal
insurance. If not, we suggest you to purchase coverage for your stay in Italy.
Italy
uses Middle-European-Time (MET), i.e.: Rome = 0 / New York = -6 / Tokyo = +8.
During
the summer months (mid March to mid October) the clocks are turned ahead one
hour to Middle-European-Summer-Time (MEST = MET + 1h), i.e.: Rome = 0 / New York
= -5 / Tokyo = +9.
What
should I check before leaving?
Here
is a list of things we suggest you to check before your departure:
-
Valid passport or identity card
-
Tickets and reservations
-
Insurance documents
-
Money, traveller’s cheques and credit cards
-
Personal medicine or medical prescriptions
-
E111 form (for citizens from EU countries)
-
Italian address given to parents etc.
-
School informed about arriving time
-
Transfer requested from school
Via Fontanelle 2 - 60021 - Camerano (An) Italy
Phone/Fax: 0039-071-732452
