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A.C.L.E.

4.63 Rating
This organization has been expired and its programs are no longer offered.

Why choose A.C.L.E.?

A.C.L.E. (Associazione Culturale Linguistica Educational) is a non-profit organisation accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education. It has over 36 years of experience in the language-teaching and language-learning sector, promoting humanistic student-centered education through creative, motivating projects. Each summer the association trains and places more than 300 English tutors in camps to teach English to Italian children and teenagers.

A.C.L.E’s TEFL.TPⓒ Study Programme is a unique opportunity to enhance your CV by learning how to teach English to Italian children through games, sports, drama, and songs all taught at our orientation. You will receive expert training, meet people from around the world; teach at our numerous summer camps and enjoy all that Italy has to offer!

Website
www.acle.org
Founded
1982
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Reviews

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Freya
25
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.

The best time

Feb 17, 2020

Not only is ACLE a really smart and rewarding way to travel, but it's a break from the stress of wherever your life is at before you go there. It provides a home away from home and amazing relationships with host families, other tutors, and the kids you're teaching. This program has an amazing staff that communicates with you and comforts you in whatever situation may arise.
You're also earning your tefl.tp while getting paid AND having fun.
It's seriously one of the better things I have done with my life and it made me feel really proud. Just do it-- however you can find a way to.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I suggest taking every 4th week off so you can recharge, and to plan your lessons in advance to make the most out of the time you have with your classes!
Best students <3
Really great people
Read my full story
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David
40
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.

An awesome opportunity and rewarding experience!

Jan 31, 2020

Attending A.C.L.E.'s TEFL.TP program has been without a doubt a truly rewarding experience: E.S.L. teaching to Italian kids may certainly be a handful, but thanks to the teaching tips and tricks previously shared and learned during Orientation, their emotional response is so wonderfully intense that I can assure you it's going to change your life forever.
The genuinely warm hospitality of the host families provided a joyful immersion into the beauty of Italian everyday life. Farewell has been difficult, to say the least!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack light and smart: Italian Summers are hotter than you think!
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Lexi
26
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.

Best summer ever!

Jan 24, 2020

I frequently talk about and look back on my summer of 2018. Italy is an amazing country and this program allows you to stay with host families who give you a real taste of the culture. The staff involved with ACLE are amazing. They are passionate about what they do and you can see it from the moment you get to orientation. The program is well organized and they take care of all of the transportation as you move around Italy. I am studying to be a teacher and I believe that this program helped me develop necessary skills for teaching language learners. I met amazing friends that I worked with at the camps and it didn’t even feel like work! I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys traveling, teaching, or drama!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Don’t be afraid to try new things and go out of your comfort zone! You learn the best that way. Explore the towns where you are placed and spend time immersing yourself.
My host family in a gondola in Venice!
My campers in Genoa <3
Awesome people at orientation in Rome!
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Chloe
27
Canada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.

My Summer in Italy

Jan 24, 2020

Working for ACLE was one of the best experiences of my life! From the fun and inspirational training where I met amazing people from all over the world, to traveling throughout Italy each week, meeting new students and families. The program is exactly as described online, except the personal connections and confidence you will gain exceeds what you can even imagine. Although the days can feel long working at camp, the kids are amazing, the host teachers supportive, and the host families treat you like family. If you enjoy working with children, having fun and travelling, this program is an incredible way to spend the summer.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Beef Carpaccio! All of the Italian food was amazing, both in the homes we stayed and the restaurants.
Last day of Orientation
My view from my week in Genoa!
Happy faces during a camp scavenger hunt!
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Anabel
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.

WONDERFUL AUTHENTIC ITALIAN EXPERIENCE!!!

Oct 6, 2019

ACLE is reliable and organized. Communication with the ACLE team is great, before and during the camps. Orientation can be a bit overwhelming, because there’s so much information and material you're receiving and learning. However, it’s extremely useful, it prepares you for camps, and it’s a load of fun. Typically camps run from 8:30/9am to 4:30/5pm. Camp days can be tiring and demanding, but they’re extremely rewarding and super fun! You’ll sing, dance, play games, and do a bunch of activities. ACLE provides you with more than enough material; you’ll never run out of ideas. You’ll get to collaborate with individuals from different parts of the world, which is pretty great. Duration of camps tend to be one or two weeks. Locations vary, you may find yourself near a well known city like Milan or Venice; or perhaps you’ll be in a quaint little town, in the mountains or by the sea. Italy is a gorgeous country, with so many hidden gems! Experience authentic Italian culture, living and engaging with Italians on a daily basis. Taste and savor Italian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Have gelato, drink cappuccinos, meet new people, play, dance, and be silly with children! Experience a summer in Italy with ACLE! You may just have the time of your life!
I personally had a wonderful time, and highly recommend it!!!

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Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Freya Summit Chase

Program
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.
Freya Summit Chase

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to work for ACLE after my brother had a successful summer with the program. It seemed like the perfect chance to get away from home and to be working a job that really gets me excited and inspired.

This program highlights a lot of things I really love; you experience Italian culture in a genuine way, you work with kids, and you have a place to be the most creative and insane version of yourself.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

ACLE provides all lesson plans for you and helps with all your travel/train details when you go from camp to camp. All you have to prepare is a good attitude!

Of course, there is still a lot of freedom for tutors! The lessons are pre-planned, but you can change them however much you need to honor your classroom skill level. If you want more games, add more games! If you want more songs, add them!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I suggest having extra money put aside so you can take weeks off to travel. The work is very fulfilling, but it takes a lot out of you. Take care of yourself!

And say yes to as many things as you can! In my first camp, I was very reserved and timid (totally normal!), but as I got more comfortable with the idea of having a host family I learned that they want you to take advantage of them! They are excited to have you there and they want to show you new things.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

You teach about 8 hours a day with assigned breaks and you are free on the weekends. The rest of your time is spent going out with families or other tutors.

An example of a school day is maybe 8-4. You start by doing warm-ups with all the kids and tutors together-- you sing songs, play games, get excited for the day! Then tutors will have lesson time, this is where you have your own class (kids can be anywhere from ages 5-18!)

You'll usually have a break in between lessons to re-group. Then all tutors will get together after lunch and you will do afternoon activities (Talent shows, fashion shows, water games etc.).

The day ends with a meeting, and maybe a beer, with the other tutors before you go home!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was just how independent you had to be.

I started the program when I was 18, which is the youngest you can be. It was intimidating working with people who seemed to be more experienced or qualified than I was, but after my first week teaching, I felt very confident in myself!

I think that is what makes the program so awesome. It helps you realize how cool you are just because you got yourself there.

Do most tutors have a background in theater?

A big concern I have noticed when I talk to people about applying for this program is they feel like they aren't going to be theatrical enough. It's true ACLE asks tutors to use theatre, but most tutors are teachers, not actors.

Everyone feels intimidated when they enter any new program, but trust me when I say, if you get accepted, you got accepted for a reason. You should feel more proud than scared!!!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Helen Graves

Program
Travel Italy and Become TEFL-TP Certified with A.C.L.E.
Job Title
Trainee Tutor Trainer
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Helen has a background in musical theatre and T.I.E. She started as a tutor in 2010 and has worked full time for ACLE since 2013. She has had the chance to visit all 20 regions in Italy and has worked with students from the age of 2 to 86!

Helen works with both students and teachers during the year, and in the summer leads new trainer orientations and supports tutors during their summer with ACLE.

What is your favorite travel memory?

This is such a hard question. One of my favorite travel memories would have to be road tripping across four states in the USA. We did a lot -- hot air ballooning, staying in a safari tent, cycling along the beach in California. I did it with one of my best friends in the whole entire world who I met while working with ACLE at a camp.

In Italy, I would say my favorite travel memory is being able to go to natural hot springs in Ischia. This tiny volcanic island just off of Napoli, is a mini paradise. You can go to the beach and sit in the thermal waters with the waves coming in and the sun setting. It was truly magical.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

ACLE is definitely a learning curve, they nicely push you out of your comfort zone and the support you every step of the way. For me personally, it was growing as a teacher. Teaching with ACLE is just not teaching, it is how to make your classroom as dynamic as the world around us. How can you be more creative then last year, what new skills can you bring in, what can you improve on and honing skills I already had and developing new ones. Every year there are new challenges.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of the best stories is from someone who was studying to be a teacher at University. She asked the following year if she could do orientation again as she had learned more in one week of orientation then she had in her year at university. That was amazing to hear.

Also, I was once in a pizzeria in Rome in my work t-shirt and this man said, "ACLE! My daughter loves your camps, she has been every summer and is so excited to go back, she counts down the day every year when summer is getting close."

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

This is a tough one as I have done everything they offer, though I would love to go Finland with our Italian teachers. I would love to experience camp as a camper as I would love doing all the activities.

I would also be interested in doing orientation again as a tutor, we have spent so much time working on the program for orientation and it is such a fun but intense week. I would love to go through it again and make so many more new friends.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

ACLE is a family, we stand by our values (Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, Positive and Creative). We are a small company and it is nice to know everyone you work with. What makes ACLE unique is that when you arrive you find people from all walks of life and all different nationalities with the same goals, the same passions, and the same drive to make a difference.

The didactic team makes me proud! These are my tribe, my people. We are all talented individuals but together we are amazing. We truly get what we are doing. We share ideas, we share problems, and we support each other.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

ACLE is successful as it believes in what it does and the people who work for them. We support our tutors and we are supported by an amazing team.