FAQs

Speak is a company offering residential English language immersion programmes in Italy.

We bring together native English speakers from around the world to immerse Italian learners in an environment of authentic English conversation. The Programme develops the language skills of speaking and listening without using ‘traditional’ language learning methodology i.e., no books, lessons or teachers.

Each day will contain a series of one-to-one sessions, each involving one Anglo and one Italian speaker, as well as a variety of group sessions. The day begins with breakfast and the conversation sessions are interspersed with lunch and free time with the sessions ending with dinner. After dinner there is optional social time which is typically light-hearted entertainment.

The Italians joining the Speak Programme are individuals from a range of backgrounds who wish to develop their English communication skills, whether for work, developing their career opportunities, travel or simply out of personal interest.

Our Italian leaners choose to come to Speak specifically to improve their competence in speaking and listening through natural conversations with native English speakers.

Anglos are mother-tongue English speakers from around the world. From all walks of life, Anglos come to Speak in order to help Italian leaners improve their English through simply engaging them in conversation while experiencing a taste of Italy and meeting new people.

There are no lessons, teachers or books. There are simply a variety of conversation sessions either in the form of one-to-ones or group discussions and activities.

Going abroad to study in an English school, aside from the practical inconvenience involved, doesn’t necessarily reap the desired results. Studying in a language school in an English-speaking country often provides the same classroom-based study that learners can experience at home, with opportunities to actually practice the language just as limited. Excluding some minimal conversation at the airport or at the bar to order a coffee, the opportunities to improve fluency and engage in natural conversation are limited to chatting with fellow-students often faced with the same difficulties.

The minimum age for applications from Anglos is 20 years of age.

There are typically around 30 people on a Speak Programme. Around half of this number will be Italian learners and the other half Anglos in addition to Speak staff.

Unfortunately children cannot participate at our adult Speak Programmes.

However, we also offer Speak Teens programmes! Visit our Speak Teens website or social media platforms to find out more!

Anglo Selection

We’d like to share more information about how we offer dates to our applicants to join us as an Anglo at Speak. We are passionate about bringing together a diverse group of people who can add to the dynamic learning environment of each Programme. Therefore, it is important that the team at Speak find a wide range of individuals from the applications we receive in terms of gender, nationality, accent and profession in order to get a suitable mix of Anglos for each Programme.

Step 1: Online Application

First of all, please fill in the Online Application form carefully, telling us all about yourself. It’s important you complete the form as fully as possible to give yourself the best chance of being accepted. Once we have received your completed application, we will be in contact with you via email to acknowledge your application. Your application will then be entered onto our Anglo Database. Please note that we are only able to respond to those applications that we are able to carry forward to the next stage in the application process.

Step 2: Applicant Waiting List

If your application is carried forward we will then place you on our Applicant Waiting List and we will be in touch if we are able offer you an informal interview with one of our Programme Managers.

Step 3: Anglo Interview

The Anglo Interview will be an opportunity for you to learn more about our Programmes and our Learners. We will discuss your application and the Anglo role.

If your interview is successful we will then check availability to see if we are able to offer you a place on one of our Programmes.

Please be aware that while we will try our best to satisfy your choice of Programme, this may not always be possible depending on availability.

Step 4: Programme Invitation and Anglo Agreement

Once we have agreed and arranged the Programme dates, we will send you our official Programme Invitation Email which will include a Pre-Arrival Welcome Pack together with our Anglo Agreement for you to sign. Please read the Anglo Agreement carefully before signing.

Step 5: Confirmation email

When we have received your signed Anglo Agreement, we will send you an official Confirmation Email. Please note: We need to receive your signed Anglo Agreement within 14 days or the Programme Offer may be withdrawn.

Step 6: Contact Form

The Confirmation Email also includes a link to the online Contact Form Area for the Programme for which you have been accepted where you can find the Contact Form which you will need to complete with details regarding your travel information, arrival and departure notes and any special dietary requirements you may wish to tell us about. This form can be resubmitted at any time prior to the Programme should your information change.

You will need to arrive in the Meeting Point city (Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce) at least the day before the Programme begins to ensure that you make it in time for our Welcome Breakfast and the group transfer to the venue the next morning.

Most Anglos choose to attend our optional Orientation Aperitif on the evening before the Programme begins. We strongly recommend you attend and you would therefore need to arrive in the Meeting Point city (Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce) in the morning or early afternoon of the day before the Programme.

The Programme concludes in the late afternoon on the final day and we transfer participants back to the same Meeting Point (central Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce) arriving between 18:00-19:00.

Clothing: Participants should bring practical, comfortable clothes and footwear for the Programme. Our Speak locations provide towels and complimentary toiletries. 

Please note: While Italy is famous for its beautiful sunshine and warm weather, spring and autumn may also bring showers and cooler temperatures, especially in the evenings. Our Winter Programmes can be particularly cold and participants are thus advised to bring a suitable waterproof clothing and a heavy coat.

Personal objects: Speak will provide all the materials necessary for the Programme. However, it can be useful to bring along some small items, such as photos, which may aid discussion. You are also welcome to bring a musical instrument or anything else which reflects your personality or culture!

Medicine: Please bring any medicines that you would usually take in the case of minor ailments. If you are on prescription medication please be sure to bring it with you as you may be unable to access the exact same medicine locally.  

Once your participation is confirmed, we will provide you with a Pre-arrival Information Pack including travel tips and suggestions for accommodation in the Meeting Point city.

Please note however that Speak cannot make any travel or accommodation bookings on your behalf.

Should you require any specific assistance, do not hesitate to contact us at anglos@speakinitaly.com

Speak will take care of everything during the Programme so that Anglos can relax and enjoy the experience. Speak provides the following:

• An invitation to an Welcome Aperitif on the evening prior to the Programme in the Meeting Point city (Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce).
• The official Welcome breakfast on the first day of the Programme in the Meeting Point city.
• Group coach transfer from the Meeting Point city on the first day of the Programme to the location.
• Welcome drinks on the first evening at the location.
• 3 nights accommodation and wonderful full-board dining in an exclusive location from breakfast on the first day of the Programme to lunch on the last day of the Programme.
• Group coach transfer from the location to the Departure Point city (Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce)

Accommodation:

Speak offers quality accommodation and full board in one of our locations for the exclusive use of Speak.

You will need to cover the cost of any accommodation you book outside of the Programme dates.

Travel:

Speak offers a Group coach transfer from the Meeting Point city (Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce) on the first day of the Programme to the location as well as a Group coach transfer from the location to the same Departure Point city (Milan, Bergamo, Rome or Lecce) on the final day of the Programme.

You will need to cover the costs of your travel to and from the Meeting Point city before and after the Programme.

Full board catering:

Speak offers quality full board from breakfast on the first day of the Programme to lunch on the final day of the Programme.

You will need to cover any extra catering required above the full board offered (bar bills, minibar, room service etc.)

Anglos must be sure of their legal entitlement to be in Italy for the entire duration of the Programme. 

Our Anglos come from all over the world and therefore every case is different. While citizens of many countries do not need any kind of visa to enter Italy as a tourist (at least for a period of less than 90 days), Speak advises all Anglo participants to check the procedures required with the relevant authorities in your home country and your ability to meet the requirements necessary in order to enter Italy. 

A good starting point is the Italian Foreign Office official website which offers advice to nationals of different countries wishing to enter Italy. Please click on the link below to find out more:

http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en

You will be covered by Speak’s Public Liability Insurance (Unipol Sai) for the duration of your time at the Programme. 

However, we strongly recommend that Anglos take out private travel/baggage/medical insurance.

Please do not purchase your travel tickets or accommodation in your Meeting Point city (Milan, Rome, Bergamo or Lecce) until we have confirmed your participation in the course and sent you our Confirmation email.

Once your participation is confirmed, we will provide you with a Pre-arrival Information Pack including travel tips and suggestions for accommodation. Do not hesitate to contact us at anglos@speakinitaly.com should you require further assistance.