Book your Stay in Siena
HOTELS
ARRIVAL
DEPARTURE
ROOMS
ADULTS
KIDS

The University for Foreigners: find out more about one of the finest places in Siena

The University for Foreigners: the Italian language in the world

Until a few years ago, the “Università per Stranieri di Siena” was called la “Scuola di Lingua e Cultura Italiana per Stranieri” (‘The School of Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners’). Until 2008 it was based in a historical building in via Pantaneto. However, in order to expand its educational opportunities and make more spaces available to students, the Università per Stranieri di Siena, or Unistrasi, moved close to the main station of Siena. The administrative offices and classrooms, a large auditorium and a library are all housed here, in a modern, linear building. The Unistrasi is dedicated to the study of the Italian language in close contact with other languages; it is also trains those who teach Italian as a foreign language. In June of 2012 Unistrasi’s new statute came into force, and all faculties and departments became part of ‘Dadr’, namely the Dipartimento di Ateneo per la Didattica e la Ricerca (‘University Department for Teaching and Research’) Today there are two bachelor’s degree programs lasting three years, and three master’s degree programs.

Research centres: feathers in the cap of Unistrasi

Among the feathers in the cap of the University for Foreigners of Siena are research centres and e-learning paths, namely distance learning programs managed by the Centro Fast. The Cils centre issues a certificate of linguistic-communicative competence following a special examination, and much more besides. The Cils is also involved in organising ad hoc training courses for language assessment of future teachers of Italian. It is also a member of the Ealta— the European Association for Language Testing and Assessment—and is one of the founders of the Cliq, the association that certifies the quality of the Italian language. Another important centre is the Ditals, which administers its own certification of competence in teaching Italian to foreigners. Linguistic and language-teaching research, on the other hand, is headed up by Cluss, a language centre that provides Italian courses for foreigners using innovative methodological and cognitive techniques. Student labs and computer facilities are available to facilitate this research. The Ministry of the University and Research has established an additional structure at the Unistrasi namely, the Centro di Excellenza della Ricerca (‘Centre of Research Excellence’).

Unistrasi: library, services and accommodation

One of the services available to students of the University is the fantastic library, aimed at supporting teaching and research. From its open shelves you can access magazines and books and also make use of the book loaning service. The prestigious Unistrasi is chosen every year by hundreds of people, partly due to the high quality of life in Siena. Those who have attended the University, and therefore lived for a period of time in the Tuscan city, will have been surrounded by monuments, churches and historic buildings; even experiencing the public transport and the great hospitality of the city. Siena Inns are among the facilities chose by students. These include the Hotel Garden, Hotel Italia and Villa Agostoli. The two hotels and one holiday farmhouse are ideal for those who would like to spend a few days here, or those who need to settle in for months at a time or even longer periods.