The methodological approach at alpha beta piccadilly has been developed by our language department over many years of research and practical testing and continues to be revised, adapted and refined.

Our teaching is based on four principles:

The focus is on the learner as a whole person.
Activities aim to involve learners emotionally and physically and on conscious as well as subconscious levels.

Learning is a process of development.
The learner’s language (even of a complete beginner) is viewed holistically and allowed to grow and develop naturally. Grammar and other form-based aspects of language are always worked on in a meaningful context and importance is given to reading and listening to authentic texts, as well as free speaking and writing.

The main goal is the development of communicative competence.
Communication, however, is not only the goal but also our way of working in the classroom. Everything is geared towards communication and learners are made familiar with this from the start. Continuous practice leads to rapid progress in the ability to communicate with native speakers and to deal constructively with difficulties in understanding.

Autonomous learning is developed in parallel with communicative competence.
Our teachers support this through a learner-centred approach which encourages active participation. Lessons are focused on the learners, who should be aware of how to make the most of the classroom activities and also adopt strategies for independent learning outside the classroom.
Apart from attending a course, we also offer a range of opportunities for learners to organise and manage their learning individually and autonomously; before, during or after a group or one-to-one course.

The levels of alpha beta piccadilly courses are based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which was developed by the Council of Europe, in order to make personal learning paths and goals more transparent.

alpha beta piccadilly offers advice on how to improve your language skills free of charge and without any obligation to sign up for a course. Before enrolling, all students do a written test and an oral interview.

The level test can be done at our offices in Bolzano / Bozen or Merano / Meran at these times.

As well as offering courses, we also have several other options to help you organise your learning process individually and autonomously: before, during and after your group or individual course.

The levels of alpha beta piccadilly courses are based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which was developed by the Council of Europe in order to make personal learning paths and goals more transparent.

CEFR level	alpha beta piccadilly level (33 hours per level)	Exam
A 1	A 1.1 > A 1.2 > A 1.3	telc Deutsch A 1 (A 1.3)
A 2	A 2.1 > A 2.2 > A 2.3	telc Deutsch A 2 (A 2.3)
B 1	B 1.1 > B 1.2 > B 1.3 > B 1.4	telc Deutsch B 1 (B 1.4)
B 2	B 2.1 > B 2.2 > B 2.3 > B 2.4	telc Deutsch B 2 (B 2.4)
C 1	C 1.1 > C 1.2 > C 1.3 > C 1.4	Goethe C 1 (C 1.4)
C 2	C 2.1 > C 2.2 > C 2.3 > C 2.4

CEFR level	alpha beta piccadilly level (33 hours per level)	University of Perugia exam
A 1	A 1.1 > A 1.2 > A 1.3	CELI Impatto (A 1.3)
A 2	A 2.1 > A 2.2 > A 2.3	CELI 1 (A 2.3)
B 1	B 1.1 > B 1.2 > B 1.3 > B 1.4	CELI 2 (B 1.4)
B 2	B 2.1 > B 2.2 > B 2.3 > B 2.4	CELI 3 (B 2.4)
C 1	C 1.1 > C 1.2 > C 1.3 > C 1.4	CELI 4 (C 1.4)
C 2	C 2.1 > C 2.2 > C 2.3 > C 2.4	CELI 5 (C 2.4)

CEFR Level	alpha beta piccadilly level (33 hours per level)	Esame Cambridge
A 1	A 1.1 > A 1.2 > A 1.3	Young Learners English Test - Movers Young Learners English Test - Starters
A 2	A 2.1 > A 2.2 > A 2.3	Young Learners English Test - Flyers Cambridge A 2 Key (KET)
B 1	B 1.1 > B 1.2 > B 1.3 > B 1.4	Cambridge B 1 Preliminary (PET) B 1 Business Preliminary (BEC)
B 2	B 2.1 > B 2.2 > B 2.3	Cambridge B 2 First (FCE) B 2 Business Vantage (BEC)
C 1	C 1.1 > C 1.2 > C 1.3	Cambridge C 1 Advanced (CAE) C 1 Business Higher (BEC)
C 2	C 2.1 > C 2.2 > C 2.3	Cambridge C 2 Proficiency (CPE)

CEFR level	alpha beta piccadilly level (33 hours per level)	Instituto Cervantes exam
A 1	A 1.1 > A 1.2	Diploma de Español - Nivel A 1
A 2	A 2.1 > A 2.2 > A 2.3	Diploma de Español - Nivel A 2
B 1	B 1.1 > B 1.2 > B 1.3	Diploma de Español - Nivel B 1
B 2	B 2.1 > B 2.2 > B 2.3	Diploma de Español - Nivel B 2

CEFR level	alpha beta piccadilly level (33 hours per level)	Exam (Alliance Française)
A 1	A 1.1 > A 1.2 > A 1.3	DELF A 1 (A 1.3)
A 2	A 2.1 > A 2.2 > A 2.3	DELF A 2 (A 2.3)

CEFR level	alpha beta piccadilly level (33 hours per level)	TRKI/TORFL St Petersburg exam
A 1	A 1.1 > A 1.2 > A 1.3
A 2	A 2.1 > A 2.2 > A 2.3
B 1	B 1.1 > B 1.2 > B 1.3 > B 1.4	ТРКИ/TORFL I (B 1)
B 2	B 2.1 > B 2.2 > B 2.3 > B 2.4	ТРКИ/TORFL II (B 2)

alpha beta picadilly offers free advice on the learning opportunities available, without any obligation to sign up for a course. Prospective students' levels are tested using a written test and spoken interview.

Courses can be paid for either in cash, by cashpoint card or by bank transfer (Alpha & Beta Genossenschaft, Südtiroler Sparkasse – IBAN: IT35 T 06045 58590 000000807800). If an invoice is required, this must be requested when registering for the course. Please have all the necessary information ready when enrolling. Books are not included in the course fee.
Important: If paying by bank transfer, please indicate the name of the participant and the language of the course. 

- 50% discount for those who have been registered as unemployed for at least three months.
- 10% discount for those re-enrolling within 12 months of their last course and holders of the Family + card of the Municipality of Bolzano.
- Vouchers for people who are unemployed or are public employees can be used for our courses.
- discount agreements with various organisations and companies.

Discounts are valid only for group courses and are not cumulative

Vouchers for provincial and state employees can be used for our courses.

If you cancel your enrolment up to three working days before the start of the course, the course fee will be refunded (less an administration fee of €15). In the case of a withdrawal from the course after it has started, there is no entitlement to a refund unless another student is found to take the place of the student who is withdrawing.The course fee will only be refunded in full if alpha beta piccadilly cancels the course.
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Courses will only start if the minimum number of participants is reached. There are a maximum of 12 people per group. On request classes with fewer participants can be organized at a higher price or with a consequent reduction in the number of hours compared to standard courses.

Course participants are expected to respect the house rules of the various course venues.
Intentional damage caused to equipment and facilities will be charged for.
All participants on our courses are insured against third-party liability.
alpha beta piccadilly declines any liability for loss or theft of property which may occur before, during or after one of our courses.

At the end of the course students are tested to monitor their progress and each student receives an individual certificate of attainment. On request students can also have an attendance certificate.
Children/youngsters attending at least 80% of the lessons receive a certificate of attendance for their personal Language Portfolio

Courses are held in Bolzano / Bozen and Merano / Meran, and in various other locations around Alto Adige / South Tyrol where there is demand. This could also be with one of our partner organisations.
The camp-venues are specified in the descriptions of the individual camps.

We reserve the right to make any necessary changes to our course programme, even at short notice.

The courses are taught by qualified teachers who are supervised by, and receive in-service training from, alpha beta piccadilly’s teacher-training department.

The cooperative applies the 231/2001 organisational model. Detailed information on the guidelines and our ethical code can be consulted on here.

 

alpha beta piccadilly handles personal data as per the EU Data Privacy Law 2016/679 (DSGVO). Our data privacy declaration is available here and in our secretaries’ offices. Consent for processing of personal data, course regulations and so on is valid for one year from the date of it being given, and can be applied to enrolment for follow-up courses or other alpha beta initiatives.