Why TESOL in Rome, Italy?

Italy, the land of art, architecture, sculpture, high fashion, the Mediterranean and gastronomical delights. Italy is steeped in history. As, the once invincible Roman Empire, Italy still fascinates the world. Italy's claim to fame matches TESOL's substantiality and popularity as a TEFL course, promising lucrative ESL careers to its trainees Today, Italy is a highly-developed country with the 7th-highest GDP and the seventeenth-highest Human Development Index rating in the world. Italy has been a seminal place for many important artistic and intellectual movements that spread throughout Europe and beyond, including the Renaissance and Baroque. Perhaps Italy's greatest cultural achievements lie in its long artistic heritage, which is often validated through the names of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Bernini, Titian and Raphael, among many others. Beyond art, Italy's contributions to the realms of literature, science, and music cannot be overlooked. But Italy is not just about monuments and structures, art and artists; it also has given the world Gucci, Pasta, pizza, olives and gondolas. Italy is an experience one can never forget easily. And, in order to make this experience momentous, the TESOL Certification Program from TEFL International is the best possible choice for the Italy-bound tourists who also want to explore the ESL world.

What is the attraction?

"It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking about the Eternal City - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the gory resonance of the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your caffe latte. Make like the locals and souse your senses in the glut of pleasures the city has to offer, from the grandiose thrill of feeling centuries of turbulent history under your feet to the small but potent intoxication of eating chestnut gelati on a hot day." The Lonely Planet.

What is in it for you?

When in Rome, do as the Romans." That classic advice leads to a wealth of options: Should you follow Augustus and Caesar, whose Rome is filled with spectacular ancient structures? Or Michelangelo and Da Vinci, whose city invites artistic pilgrimage? Amidst the cascade of options to choose from in experiencing Italy, the best would be to take up a TESOL certificate course and explore the city simultaneously.

Maybe you'll discover the Rome that enchants lovers and sightseers alike? Rome encompasses all this and more. Explore the seven hills, stop for an espresso by the Spanish Steps, sip a Chianti in a hidden piazza. Sightseeing in Rome is exhilarating and exhausting. That it wasn't built in a day is quickly evident when you start exploring the temples, residences, basilicas, churches, palazzi, piazzi, parks, museums and fountains. Rome's shop windows compete with its monuments for your attention: it happens to everyone. Whether it's designer clothing, jewellery, books, homewares or antiques, chances are you'll find something that just has to be bought. Be it for shopping or for TESOL training, for the archaic architectures or the gourmet delights – Rome will prove to be simply irresistible for the TEFL trainees.

The markets and neighborhood grocery stores sell fresh vegetables, meats and fish. These ingredients contribute to one of the world's great culinary traditions. The pungent smell of a hundred different cheeses and sandwich meats intermingled with the aroma of freshly baked bread would drive even the most fastidious eater crazy.

On the tourist map

'Rome was not built in a day' will be evident once you start visiting the attractions of Rome. Dedicated to the seven planetary divinities and featuring an interior of gorgeous marble, the Pantheon is one of the most impressive monuments of Augustan Rome. The Trevi Fountain is certainly the most famous and photographed fountain in Rome, legend has it that whoever throws a coin into the pond will return to Rome. The Roman Forum is the commercial, political and religious center of ancient Rome, which features the Arch of Septimus Severus, Temple of Saturn, Arch of Titus and the House of the Vestals. Vatican Museums is the biggest collection of art in the city, including Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Rome's squares or Piazze are one of the main attractions of the Italian Capital, perhaps 'the core' of the city itself.

It is a place for meeting each other, to amuse, chat with friends, and for events or for the daily 'happy hour'. Thus, while you work towards a blooming ESL career and get motivation from the TESOL certification program, let Rome be your inspiration.

Weekend excursions

The aspiring ESL teachers on TEFL training can plan weekend trips to the excursion spots within Rome as well as in the vicinity.

You can swim in Rome, but only if you're quite determined. Try the beaches on the Lazio coast, or if you can't be bothered going that far, at a hotel pool; the best other alternative is the large outdoor Piscina delle Rose. You can rent bicycles and cycle near the Porta Pinciana in Villa Borghese. Villa Doria Pamphili, 2km (1mi) south of the Vatican, is the largest park in Rome and a lovely spot for a jog or gentle stroll. If you're sore from foot-slogging from one monument to the next, reward yourself by escaping to the relaxing thermal springs mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy. They're near Viterbo, 90km (55mi) north of Rome. If you dont mind crowds, particularly when it's hot, head to the Trastevere flea market on Sunday. It's vast, lively and sells fascinating things if you put aside the whole morning to browse.

Rome is surprisingly close to the sea and to the hills. You can take a break in the nearby hills, where the air is noticeably cooler and fresher, and you may even find a breeze. Alternatively you can enjoy a day at the seaside, visiting one of the busy beaches near Rome, or finding more tranquil stretches of sand to the south. Away from the demanding TESOL sessions, a weekend trip to Lazio will help you see sites of enormous archaeological interest, including very fine Etruscan remains in the north of the region as well as later Roman ruins. Striking temples of varying scale can be seen at Terracina, Palestrina and Tivoli. If you're feeling more ambitious, you can easily journey further. Swift train services run into Tuscany, Umbria and Campania, and your options include Florence, Naples, Orvieto, Spoleto, Siena.

Evening and nightlife

You don't have to look far to be entertained in Rome. Opera or soccer, dance or drinking - the Eternal City has it all. Romans don't drink a lot, but there's a bar and club scene catering to those who do, or those who just like getting dressed up; bars are mainly in the historic centre, Trastevere and Testaccio. The TEFL trainees thus can join in for a round of drink while exchanging views on the continuing TESOL course and its successful execution.

Weather

Rome's mild climate makes it visitable year-round; however, spring and autumn are without doubt the best times to visit, with generally sunny skies and mild temperatures (although late autumn, November, can be rainy). The candidates traveling to Rome for the TESOL certificate course should ideally be informed that the months of July and August are unpleasantly hot (many Romans desert the city in August so many businesses close at this time); from December to February there is briskly cold weather, although it's rarely grey and gloomy.