FAQs

A few questions and answers on our school, services and Italian courses.

Questions on the course

HOW CAN I ENROLL?

The easiest way to enroll is to fill in the online application on our website here: Enroll

HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY UPON ENROLLMENT?

Once you have filled in the enrollment form, you will receive confirmation and be asked to leave a 70 Euro deposit or pay the price of the course in full with a credit card, bank transfer or PayPal. If you choose to leave a deposit, you can pay the remaining amount at the school upon arrival with credit and debit card or cash.

WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?

We will welcome you at 8.30 for the placement test (written and oral). After we have marked the tests and divided up the classes, you will be told to which level you have been assigned and what time your group meets (either morning or afternoon). The lessons will mostly take place in the morning, but can also be held in the afternoon, as is the case in high season. On the first day, you will take part in the remaining lessons that take place after you have been assigned a class, in the morning or the afternoon. From the second day, lessons will proceed as normal.

Intensive classes will meet as follows:

Morning: 9:00 to 12:30 with a break from 11:15 to 11:45
Afternoon: 14:00 to 17:30 with a break from 16:15 to 16:45
I partecipanti iscritti ad un corso Superintensivo o corso Intensivo Plus frequenteranno in aggiunta al corso intensivo, delle lezioni extra che si svolgeranno subito prima o subito dopo il corso di gruppo.

HOW DO I KNOW MY LEVEL?

All students have to take a written and oral placement test in order to verify their level.

I am enrolled in a non-standard course, what is my timetable?

Students taking a Super-Intensive or Intensive-Plus course will attend extra lessons that will take place immediately before or immediately after group intensive courses.

I am enrolled in a ‘Espresso’ course, what is my timetable?

The ‘Espresso’ Intensive course comprises 3 group lessons.
These will take place from 9.00 to 11.15 or from 14 to 16.15.
I partecipanti al Corso Intensivo “Espresso” ed i partecipanti al Corso Intensivo Standard hanno lezione insieme fino alla pausa.
Dopo la pausa i partecipanti al Corso Intensivo Standard frequentano un’ altra lezione giornaliera di 45 minuti.
You can ask to transition from your ‘Espresso’ course to a Standard Intensive course with 4 lessons a day at any time.

HOW MANY STUDENTS ARE THERE IN EACH CLASS?

Classes are of maximum 12 students with an average number of 7/8

WHERE DO STUDENTS COME FROM?

Since the school was founded, around 50,000 foreign students have attended our courses. Many come from European countries, but we also have many participants from America, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

What’s the average age?

Our students cover all age brackets; most fall between the ages of 18 and 30, but we also welcome many more mature students. Our students also cover a broad range of professions, although most are university students.

Are classes held in the morning or the afternoon?

Lessons take place in the morning from 9:00 to 12:30 with a break from 11:15 to 11:45 and in the afternoon from 14:00 to 17:30 with a break from 16:15 to 16:45.

Are all teachers mother tongue?

All Italian language courses are taught by highly trained mother tongue teachers specialized in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language.

What teaching method is used?

The teaching methods used at our Italian language school are based on communication. Students actively apply the four fundamental functions of the language: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Particular attention, however, is dedicated to conversation, allowing the student to develop an increasing ability to express himself/herself and communicate in Italian from the very beginning of the course. Naturally, this method also includes the study of Italian syntax and grammar rules, which, though essential, are not enough to achieve a true command of the Italian language.

How can I pay the school?

The course fee can be payed online by credit card, bank transfer or PayPal. The remainder of the fee can be payed to the school directly at the start of the course by credit and debit card or in cash.

Do I need a visa?

Students from outside the EU generally only need a tourist visa if they stay in the country for under 3 months.
Oltre i tre mesi di permanenza è comunque necessario un visto di studio. In questo caso i documenti necessari sono i seguenti:

• A valid passport
•  A certificate of enrollment from Torre di Babele.
• dichiarazione di disponibilità finanziaria relativa al periodo previsto di soggiorno-studio in Italia
• An international valid health insurance policy.

For a stay of up to one year, you must request a type D study visa. If you wish to stay for over a year, you can renew the type D visa in Italy.
Each country has different agreements with the Italian government, so we suggest you request information straight from the Italian consulate or embassy in your country.
Bear in mind that:

• The Italian Embassy does not issue visas for courses involving fewer than 20 hours of lessons a week
•  The application requires proof of payment (in full or in part) prior to the start of the course
•  The process always takes a few weeks

I would like to get a certificate. Which?

Every student will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course.

Certificato C.I.L.S. dell’Università per Stranieri di Siena

La nostra scuola è sede ufficiale di esame ed organizza corsi di preparazione all’esame C.I.L.S. (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera). L’esame si svolge due volte l’anno (giugno e dicembre) presso la nostra scuola e presso gli Istituti di Cultura Italiana nel mondo.

PLIDA Certificate

The PLIDA Certificate is an officially recognized qualification that measures your level of linguistic-communicative ability in Italian as a foreign language. Our Italian school is an authorized center for preparing the società Dante’s PLIDA exams. The PLIDA Certificate is recognized by the Italian Foreign and Education Ministries. It is therefore recognized when it comes to the admission of foreign students to the Italian higher education system. Positive completion of the PLIDA Due – B2 exempts foreign students from sitting the Italian language test for admission to universities.

On request, students who have completed the fourth or seventh level will be able to sit the exam for the “Torre di Babele Diploma”, which certifies an intermediate or advanced level of mastery of Italian as a second language.

Why choose our school?

Because our school has more than 30 years of experience, during which time we have taught Italian to over 50.000 students from around the world.
Because we are people who like to manage classes where differences in cultural and linguistic background, age and gender create a lively and stimulating atmosphere that is an integral part of our approach to language teaching
At Torre di Babele, students come first, and our top priority is to meet their requirements.
Riserviamo ad ogni singolo partecipante un'attenzione individuale e personalizzata. Ci siamo sempre preoccupati di offrire un’alta qualità di insegnamento che è attestata, infatti, dai riconoscimenti del Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione e da varie

All of our instructors are highly trained in the teaching of Italian as a foreign language and hold DITALS certification from the Università per Stranieri di Siena.
Office and administrative staff welcome feedback and are there to help students before, during and after their stay.
The school is housed in a charming villa with bright and spacious classrooms, all Internet connected.
The expansive garden surrounding the school is a delightful setting for students to relax and mingle in their free time.
All language courses are accompanied by a rich selection of cultural activities, as well as the opportunity for conversation exchange with native Italian speakers.
We check the quality, clenliness and availability of accommodation constantly and thoroughly.
We are ISO 9001:2008 certified for quality in the management of education and training.

What is the difference between staying in a house with other students and in an apartment owned by locals?

Living in a house with other students
Se hai scelto questa formula, abiterai con altri studenti della nostra scuola oppure dividerai l’appartamento con altri nostri studenti e con dei giovani italiani. E’ la situazione ideale per avere sempre degli amici con cui trascorrere il tempo libe

Living in apartments owned by locals
If you have chosen this type of accommodation you will generally rent from people living on their own or couples, rarely families with children. All the hosts have been working with the school for several years and, as such, have a long experience of living with students from different countries and cultures.

Where are the houses?

All our houses are in the center. Often, you will be able to reach the school on foot or by taking the bus or underground for a couple of stops.

What do I need to bring from home and what is available in the houses?

The accommodation is equipped with sheets, blankets, pots and pans, glasses, plates and cutlery. The student must provide towels, toilet paper and other personal hygiene products. We also recommend you bring your own hairdryer.

What does the rent include?

Rent includes electricity, heating, gas, water, use of the kitchen and cleaning services prior to arrival.

Cosa non comprende il prezzo dell’affitto? Ci possono essere dei costi extra?

In some apartments, you can request extra services such as: internet connection, use of the washing machine, air conditioning, cleaning services for your room and shared areas during your stay. Please note: students are responsible for keeping their rooms and shared areas clean and in good shape. If this does not happen, the owner can charge for extra cleaning.

Where should I go when I arrive in Rome?

Your arrival is scheduled for the Sunday before the beginning of the course. You must communicate your arrival time to the school at least a week before, so as to make arrangements with the owner of the apartment. Upon arrival in Rome, the student should head straight to the apartment indicated by the school at the designated time.

I would like to extend my course and accommodation, what do I have to do?

You should inform the reception as soon as possible, especially if you would like to remain in the same apartment, although if we already have another booking we cannot guarantee this. In this case we will find you another house.

May I have friends over?

If you would like to have friends or relatives over, it is necessary to ask the school. Unless otherwise agreed with the landlady/-lord, and if there is room, guests may stay paying 20€ a night.

When will I receive my accommodation address?

You will receive your accommodation address no later than two weeks before arrival.

If I do not like the accommodation, can I change it?

If the reasons are serious and justified, it is always possible to change. The school’s administration is always available to consider individual requests and find a solution.

I’ve booked a room through the school for more than a month but I’ve found a cheaper one, what can I do?

It is possible to cancel the booking at least 4 weeks before. For example if you would like to cancel or change accommodation from November 1st, you must inform the school on October 1st.

Can I walk to school?

All our houses are in the center. Often, you will be able to reach the school on foot or by taking the bus or underground for a couple of stops.

Do I have a key to close my room?

Some apartments have doors that cannot be locked. In these cases, we can guarantee that the room is safe, as we have never received complaints.

Do I have to put down a deposit?

Some owners require a security deposit for the keys and for damages that may occur in the apartment. The student will be informed of the amount before arrival, and it will be given back at the end of your stay.

How can I pay for the apartment?

Rent must be paid in cash directly to the landlord/-lady within the first 3-4 days of your stay. It is not possible to pay your rent with credit card to the school.

Can I rent a double room on my own?

You can rent a double room on your own, and the school will try to find you a roommate. If the school doesn’t find someone for you to share with, you will be charged the price of a single room.

I will come with a friend who will not attend the course. Can I book an entire double room?

Yes, you may book an entire double room; it is important that at least one of you attends an intensive standard course.

Where should I go when I arrive in Rome?

Your arrival is scheduled for the Sunday before the beginning of the course. You must communicate your arrival time to the school at least a week before, so as to make arrangements with the owner of the apartment. Upon arrival in Rome, the student should head straight to the apartment indicated by the school at the designated time.

When will I receive the cultural program?

Every student will receive the cultural program in class on the first day of school.

What extracurricular activities are on offer?

The school's cultural program allows you to enjoy Rome’s art and culture while learning Italian, and to make the most of your free time, making new friends.
A Roma, durante i mesi estivi si svolge l’ormai famosa “Estate Romana”, che offre un ricco calendario di manifestazioni culturali: concerti, cinema all’aperto, danza, rappresentazioni teatrali ed eventi vari. Durante questo periodo la scuola orga

When and where can I sign up for the activities?

You can sign up for activities from the first day, after class. You can find the list of choices at the front desk.

Do I have to pay for extracurricular activities?

Most of the activities are free of charge. Extra payment is required for trips outside Rome, dinners in pizzerias and some seminars. Prices vary from 10 to 25 Euros.

What happens if I’m the only one to sign up?

Every activity has a fixed minimum and maximum number of participants. If we do not reach the minimum the activity will be cancelled.

Must I take part in the activities?

Participation is optional but recommended. Taking part allows you to put into practice what you have learned in the classroom and improve your grasp of Italian.

Are there any activities during the weekends?

Yes, the school often organizes trips to the area around Rome or to other cities such as Florence, Naples, Pompeii and, in the summer, to the beach; Rome is only 20km from the sea and it takes around half an hour to get to the beach.

How much money do I need per week?

It is almost impossible to give you an idea of how much money you will need as this depends on your spending habits. Rome is not particularly expensive. You can prepare your own meals in the apartment and save on food. There are a lot of ‘pizza a taglio’ places and bars where you can eat for 5/10 Euros. There are cheap weekly or monthly cards for transport.

I do not want to interrupt my sports training. Where can I work out?

Most gyms do not accept registration for less than a month. You will need a medical certificate to register. The city is also full of parks where you can exercise, and the beach is only half an hour away!

How do I get to Rome?

Rome/Fiumicino – Fiumicino/ Rome
a) From the “Leonardo da Vinci” (Fiumicino) airport there are direct and regional trains to Rome. The direct train, “Leonardo Express”, costs €14,00 and takes 31 minutes. It leaves from and arrives at platform 27 and 28 at Termini station. The train runs every 30 minutes from 5.52am to 10.36pm.
b) Il treno regionale FL1 “Fiumicino” - “Fara Sabina” costa 8 Euro. Si ferma alla stazione “Trastevere”, “Ostiense”, “Tuscolana”, “Tiburtina”, che è la stazione più vicina alla scuola (circa 15 minuti a piedi), e “Nomentana
c) There is a Terravision shuttle bus from Termini station to Fiumicino airport. The bus runs every 30 minutes and costs €4,00. The trip takes about 55 minutes. The departure point at Termini station is in Via Marsala, in front of the “Terracafè” bar. For more information about timetables and bookings please visit www.terravision.eu
Rome/Ciampino – Ciampino/ Rome
a) For “Ciampino” airport, there is a “Cotral/Atral” shuttle bus. From Termini station, it takes about 40 minutes and costs €3,90. The bus departs from via Giolitti (near the taxi bay) every 40 minutes. The last bus leaves at 23.00. For further information about tickets and timetables please visit www.atral-lazio.com
b) Lo stesso pullman (Cotral/Atral) si può prendere anche dalla fermata della stazione di metropolitana della linea A “Anagnina”. Da qui il viaggio è più breve (circa 20 minuti), così il biglietto costa meno (1,20 Euro).
c) Another Terravision shuttle bus runs from Termini station to Ciampino airport. The bus runs every 30 minutes and costs €4,00. The trip takes about 40 minutes. The bus departs from Via Marsala, in front of the “Terracafè” bar. For more information about timetables and bookings please visit www.terravision.eu
The cost of a taxi to or from the airports (Fiumicino or Ciampino) is approximately €40-60 during the day (from the city center). At night (10pm-7am) it is more expensive.

How does public transport work?

Metro
Rome has three underground lines, “A”, “B” and “C”. The metro runs from 5.30 to 23.30 (Friday and Saturday to 01.30). 
Bus
Buses usually run from 5.30 until midnight, but there are exceptions. Always check the bus start and end times, which you will find written at every bus stop.
Trasporti notturni
(dalle 23.30 fino alle 5.00 circa, a seconda della linea)
Always check the number, time, and the route nearest to your house at the bus stop. The number is followed by –n (night).
Metro lines A and B and the “Roma Lido” line are replaced by buses at night: n1, n2 and n3, follow the same routes and depart from near the metro stations. Tram 8 becomes bus n8 and goes to Termini.

How much does public transport cost?

Il BIT, il biglietto standard, costa 1,50 Euroe ti consente di viaggiare per 75 minuti su tutta la rete urbana (autobus, tram, metro “A” e “B”, treno FS per spostamenti  urbani nel comune di Roma).
NOTE: the ticket can only be used once on the underground!
Il ROMA 24H è il biglietto integrato giornaliero. Costa 7 Euro e consente di viaggiare senza limiti nel giorno in cui viene timbrato su bus, metro e ferrovia urbana.
ROMA 48H (12.50 Euros) is a tourist ticked that allows unlimited travel in Rome for 2 days.
Il ROMA 72H (18 Euro) è un biglietto turistico valido per tre giorni per un numero illimitato di viaggi.
Il CIS è una Carta Integrata Settimanale e costa 24 Euro.
The MONTHLY PERSONAL ticket (a calendar month: January, February, etc.) costs 35 Euros and uses an electronic “chip on plastic” system. The card costs 3 € and you can find it at Atac ticket offices upon presentation of valid ID. You can recharge it on the atac.roma.it website, at ticket points and Unicredit ATMs.

Taxis
If you need a taxi remember to look for the official white taxis which have serial numbers on the doors and meters. You can check the price on the meter on arrival. It is not obligatory to tip.

What do I do if I get ill during my stay?

A&E
For serious health problems, you can get free emergency treatment at public hospitals (Pronto Soccorso). In very urgent cases you can call the “Guardia Medica” (tel. 06 570600) for a home visit.

Doctors
Doctors and dentists see patients by appointment only and charge a fee. Addresses are available at the school office.

Pharmacies
All pharmacies have regular opening times (normally 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-20.00). Some pharmacies have 24 hour shifts.

What are shop opening times?

Grocery stores (“alimentari”) are open from 8.00 to 13.00 and from 16.30 to 20.00. Most will close on Thursday afternoon and on Sunday. In summer, they close on Saturday afternoon instead of Thursday.
I grandi magazzini e i negozi non-alimentari sono aperti dalle 9.00 alle 13.00 e dalle 16.00 alle 20.00. Alcune attività commerciali non chiudono a metà giornata (dalle 13.00 alle 16.00) ma fanno orario continuato. Sono spesso chiusi il lunedì mattina

Where can I exchange/get money?

In ogni angolo di Roma c’è una banca! L’orario è in genere dalle 8.45 alle 13.30 e dalle 14.45  alle 16.00. Sabato e domenica sono giorni di chiusura. Le banche prendono una commissione di circa 8,00 Euro per il cambio di soldi o di Traveller ch
The main private exchange offices are:
Thomas Cook, Piazza Barberini 21
American Express, Piazza di Spagna 38

I’ve lost my credit card/ID. What should I do?

Do not take carry too much money with you and keep it in a safe pocket. Be particularly careful in crowded places like buses, subways, stations or markets. Make a photocopy of your documents and keep it separate from your money.
When you lose your passport or ID card you need to file a report at the nearest Police or Carabinieri station (both have offices at Termini station). Then you should inform your Embassy or Consulate.
If you lose a credit card, block it immediately by calling your bank.

Are there any particular rules to observe while staying in Italy?

In Italy it is compulsory to carry some form of photo identification (passport, identity card etc) with you at all times.
“Permesso di soggiorno”
If you stay in Italy for a less than 3 month, you don’t need a “permesso di soggiorno” (permit of stay). For detailed information, please ask at the school office.

Where can I get information on tourism and events?

You will find a number of “Punti Informativi Turistici” (info kiosks) in the center.

I don’t have much money to spend. Are there any free museums?

Rome is a big open-air museum. Squares, fountains, facades, archaeological sites are all a must-see!
Entrance to all Roman churches is free, and you can admire Italian masterpieces in many churches and squares!
Water is also free in Rome!!!
You’ll never be thirsty! The water from the fountains scattered around the city is cool and refreshing and absolutely safe to drink!