A unique Italian school in a unique place
It’s not often that you come across a place that feels so right, a place that aligns in whatever you need in life, a place that complements you at that moment in life. This was the case for me.
I first came Pintadera Italian language school almost two and a half years ago - late August 2023. This return in February 2025, marks my third time here.
I should start at the beginning. I was searching for an adventure, a cultural immersion, a place where I could delve into the Italian language, which I had grappled with in a hotchpotch kind of way never securing a commitment nor a want to learn. That all changed when I enrolled in Pintadera school.
The school is situated in Centro Storica (the old part of town) smack bang in the bustling life of Alghero.
The first contact, Nicola, drew me in with a genuine care and consideration for who I was, at that stage a stranger, but the correspondence was personal and of great attention. Before I knew it, I was enrolled in a four week Italian course at the school. I was excited! I was looking forward to this new adventure in life and I couldn’t imagine how life changing this experience would be!
That first four weeks were filled with so many life lived experiences. I had lessons by day including a pausa in the middle of the two lessons in which bonded the friendships that were made through these weeks. Afternoons were filled with many activities ranging from sailing boat cruises at sunset, dolphin spotting cruises, drinks with new found friends, dinners, excursions to other parts of Sardegna, cooking experiences, tasting and making traditional Sardegnan food, weekly drinks with students, attending opera nights, seeing live music, eating gelato as well as a treasure of so many more experiences. All priceless, many coordinated by the school and all have lead to making lifelong friends.
I should mention the actual learning at school, which was quite incredible as well. The morning sessions comprised of grammar learning followed by a break where coffee was on the menu and for some a cornetto or two, followed by another session of conversation. The unique way that the school engaged the students throughout my time there was commendable.
Nicola and Angela and the way that they ran the admin side of the school and the interaction with students really highlighted how the school was unique to others. The brilliant, hands on and engaging teachers were highly professional and attended to the needs of the individual students. The curriculum was such that it highlighted the necessary grammar and cultural studies were interwoven in the second sessions during a plethora of speaking activities.
All in all incredible experiences that have been built upon during the three times I have been here. Two of the times August 2023 and September 2024 were warmer months where many activities involved outdoor type of experiences. This time around it is February 2025 and the weather is quite different in that it is colder and there are less people in the town, which can be a bonus, but that doesn’t take away from the language learning at Pintadera. The classes are small, but smaller classes during these winter months allow for a more unique personalised program to cater for the needs of the individual students.
What makes this school special? In my opinion and during my three times here I felt like I was returning home to visit friends and family. It is a very special school that welcome everyone and caters for the needs of every person whether you’re a beginner, or someone like me così così or an expert speaker of the language.
Pintadera is the school for you if you want to learn Italian but at the same time want a place that feels like home, knows who you as well as being a special place where you can learn with people that will become new friends. Its uniqueness caters for all and is definitely the school to learn Italian. What better place to learn than at Pintadera Language school in Alghero Sardegna, where the beauty of the place enhances the individuality of the school!
Rosie








