FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When do the courses begin?
There are four terms: Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer. From October to June, courses are normally held twice a week for three months.

Autumn
Standard courses: 2x/week (Monday + Wednesday / Tuesday + Thursday)
Duration: end of September - December, 19/20 lessons of 105 min
Enrolments: as from August on

Winter
Standard courses: 2x/week (Monday + Wednesday / Tuesday + Thursday)
Duration: January - December, 19/20 lessons of 105 min
Enrolments: as from December on

Spring
Corsi standard: 2x/settimana (lunedì + mercoledì oppure martedì + giovedì)
Duration: di solito metà aprile - metà giugno, 17/18 incontri da 120 min
Enrolments: as from March on

Summer
Intensive Courses for German, Italian and English
Duration: 3 weeks, 5x/week of 120 min 
Enrolments: as from April on
Start of course: July and August
 
In summer alpha beta piccadilly offers language camps, residential and non residential, and courses for children and teenagers. read on
In summer, intensive courses (15 lessons of 120 minutes) and superintensive courses (15 lessons of 225 minutes) are offered. 
What time are courses held?
Courses for adults are generally held at the following times:
Autumn and Winter: 8.30-10.15/10.30-12.15/18.05-19.50/20.00-21.45
Spring: 8.15-10.15/10.30-12.30/17.50-19.50/20.00-22.00
Summer: 8.30-12.50/17.50-18.50/20.00-22.00 read on
The times for courses for children and youngsters can be found in the courses descriptions on our course finder.
What days are the courses?
Courses are generally held twice a week on either Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays. Some courses are held once a read on
week on Fridays, while intensive courses run from Monday to Friday.
Dates when lessons are not held
Usually lessons are not held on days when schools are closed. read on
Click here to find the list of dates when we are closed.
Who can attend our courses?
Most of our courses are partially funded by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano / Bozen, subsididing the cost for those who live in South Tyrol. For participants living outside the province, other prices apply. For specific closed groups, immigrants for example, we read on
have special offers.
Where are courses held?
In Bolzano / Bozen courses are held in our classrooms in Via Talvera / Talfergasse or in classrooms of state schools". In  Merano / Meran they are held in our classrooms in Piazza della Rena / Sandplatz or via delle Corse / Rennweg 147. read on
If there is enough demand, we also organise courses in other locations in South Tyrol, often with our co-operation partners.
Camp-venues are specified in the descriptions of the individual camps.
Is my course certain to begin?
Courses start automatically if the minimum number of students (usually eight) has been reached when enrolments close. read on
The maximum number of participants is usually 12. On request courses can also start for smaller groups with either a reduced number of hours or an increase to the published price.
What are these levels A 1, A 2 etc?
Courses at alpha beta piccadilly are divided according to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). read on
The CEFR, promoted by the Council of Europe, describes the language skills necessary for different levels for all EU languages in a unified manner. The Common European Framework has six levels (A 1 to C 2) and describes what a language student should be able to do at any given level.
Do I get a certificate at the end of the course?
At the end of the course students are tested to monitor their progress. Students are issued with a certificate of attainment and, on request, an attendance certificate. read on
Children/youngsters attending at least 80% of the lessons receive a certificate of attendance for their personal language portfolio
What else can I do to improve my language skills?
We also offer our students a range of opportunities for improving their languages outside the classroom.
This includes: Tandem, Self Access Centre, language cafè and online English course and online German course. read on
.
How do I go about signing up for a course?
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. This level test is free of charge and without any obligation to sign up for a course. 
  read on
The level test can be done at our offices in Bolzano / Bozen or Merano / Meran at these times. It is not necessary to pre-book the level test – you just turn up during the testing times. It depends on you how long it takes, but it’s usually 30-45 minutes.
If you haven't done a course at alpha beta piccadilly before, the level test is mandatory. Once your level is known, then you can sign up for a course. If you want to sign up for a follow-on course, you will be informed of how you can do this by email. Courses for younger children are generally divided by age rather than level.
When and where can I do the level test?
Given the current situation, the level test will take place online. We will send you the written part of the test to fill in. Send it back and we will do the oral component by phone.

Bolzano/Bozen: 0471 - 978 600
Meran/o: 0473 - 210 650
info@alphabeta.it
 
read on
  
Can I sign up for the course right after the level test?
The level test can be taken at any time of the year, but enrolments open for the different sessions on specific dates,which can be found on our Coursefinderread on
These is necessary to allow those who are currently doing a course with us to enrol for the following course.
Can I sign up for a course online?
No, because alpha beta piccadilly sets great store by homogeneous levels and only takes enrolments from those who have already done our level test. Only enrolments for children and teenagers can be done online. read on
.
Where can I sign up for a course?
You can sign up for a course at our offices in Bolzano / Bozen or Merano / Meran. read on
In Merano / Meran you can also sign up for a course at the KVW or urania meran.
When do I have to enrol by?
Given that some courses fill up very quickly, we advise you to sign up as soon as possible after enrolments open. The opening dates can be found in the coursefinder. read on
for enrolments can be found on our Coursefinder. For adult courses, enrolments close three days before the courses are due to begin, while for summer couses and camps for children, enrolments close at the end of May.
Can someone else sign me up for a course?
Enrolments can be made either in person, by phone, or email. If you are interested in enrolling for one of the courses that fill up quickly, then we advise coming along personally in the morning of the first day of enrolments to ensure you get a place as we cannot guarantee to anwer the phone or check emails on that day. read on
If you are unable to come on that day, then someone else can come in your place provided they have your personal details and information on which course you wish to sign up for.
How do I go about paying for the course?
Enrolment on a course is binding and the course fee has to be paid in full before the course starts. The course fee can be paid directly at registration either in cash, by debit card or by bank transfer (Alpha&Beta Genossenschaft, Südtiroler Sparkasse – Merano / Meran branch, IBAN: IT35 T 06045 58590 000000807800, BIC/SWIFT: CRBZIT2B020). read on
Should you need an invoice, please inform us while enrolling and make sure you have the necessary details with you. If you pay the course fee by bank transfer, please remember to give the name of the student and the course dates.
Are there any special discounts available?
Regular clients: there is a 10 % discount on the course fee for those who have done a course with us in the last 12 months.
Special discounts: alpha beta piccadilly has agreed special discounts with various companies and organisations. These agreements usually mean that the student pays less for the courses and also has free use of the Self Access Centre in Bolzano / Bozen. read on
Siblings: there is a 10% discount on the course fee for the younger child when signing more than one up for a course/summer camps (summer kindergarten excepted). Youngsters signing up for two courses/summer camps also receive a 10 % discount for the second one.
Unemployed: 50% discount on the course fee for those who have been registered as unemployed with the local work office for at least three months.
Vouchers: state and provincial employees can use vouchers on these courses provided they are handed in before the course starts.

Discounts are only valid for group courses and cannot be combined.
Can I get a refund if I drop out?
Language Courses: If a student withdraws up to three working days before the course starts, we will refund the entire course fee, minus a handling fee of € 15. In the case of withdrawal from the course after classes have begun there will be no refund, unless a replacement can be found for you. The course fee will only be refunded in full if alpha beta piccadilly cancels the course. read on
Summer camps: The course fee will only be refunded in full if alpha beta piccadilly cancels the course.
 
What is on offer for children in summer?
During the school year
For Primary, Middle and High School students alpha beta piccadilly offers online courses (group and individual courses).

During the holidays
For Kindergarten children we have our Summer Nursery School "Halli hallo .. ciao ciao .. bye bye .." which introduce children to the German, Italian and English language in a playful, entertaining manner.
For Primary, Middle and High School students we offer intensive language courses and summer camps in in ItalianEnglishGerman or Spanish. read on
For further information and enrolments please contact our office in Bolzano / Bozen or Merano / Meran.
Who will be in charge our children?
A team of teachers, language assistants and, where appropriate, sports staff with excellent language skills (B2 - C1) supervise the children at all times.  read on
For more information feel free to contact one of our heads of department.
How do I sign my child up for a course?
As soon as enrolments open, you can enrol your child online. Enrolments are binding and imply agreement to pay the course fee in full. read on
For summer camps, a doctor's certificate or self declaration of good health signed by parents or guardian attesting that the child is fit enough to take part is necessary, otherwise the child cannot take part in the camp.
Is the course certain to start?

Courses start automatically if the minimum number of students (usually eight) has been reached when enrolments close.
For our offer during the school year: the confirmation or cancellation of the courses will be communicated 3 days before the scheduled start date.
Summer courses: You will be informed by mid June whether your child's course will be starting or not.

read on
.
Are there any discounts?
Early bird discount for summer camps.
10% discount on the course fee for the younger child when signing up for more than one course/summer camp
10% discount for youngsters signing up for two courses/summer (10% discount for the second one)
Discounts cannot be combined. read on
alpha beta piccadilly is a partner of EBK – Bilaterale Körperschaft für den Teritärsektor der Provinz Bozen and the „Family+“ initiative for the city of Bolzano / Bozen.
Can I enrol my child even though I am not resident in the Province of Bolzano / Bozen ?
Children living outside South Tyrol can enrol. read on
For further information please contact our front office.
Which exams do we offer?
alpha beta piccadilly is the authorised centre in South Tyrol for the following exams:
Italian: CELI from the University of Perugia
German: telc from the Deutschen Volkshochschul-Verbandes
English: Cambridge English Language Assessment
Russian: TRKI from Saint Petersburg State University read on
Exams at different levels are offered for all these languages.
When do the exams take place?

The exams can generally be taken several times a year. For exact dates and enrolment deadlines, along with enrolment forms, click here.

read on
To enrol for an exam, please fill out the enrolment form and send it to along with proof of payment by the deadline on the form. This can also be done by fax (0471 979940) or email telc@alphabeta.it for German, celi@alphabeta.it for Italian and cambridge@alphabeta.it for English and trki@alphabeta.it for Russian.
Where do the exams take palce?
CELI/telc: The exams are normally held at alpha beta piccadilly in Bolzano / Bozen. If there are many enrolments they can be held in other locations. read on
Cambridge: The exams normally are normally held in Bolzano / Bozen. If there is sufficient request, they can also be organised in other locations in South Tyrol.
TRKI: The exams normally are normally held in Bolzano / Bozen. If there is sufficient request, they can also be organised in other  locations in South Tyrol.
How do I know which exam to sign up for?
You can do a level test free of charge to see which exam you stand a chance of passing. read on
The test can be taken on the following days/times in our offices (and also at KVW and urania meran in Merano / Meran).
Are there any preparation courses for these exams?
alpha beta piccadilly organises preparation courses for exams of various languages, as well as individual lessons. You can find the courses which are starting soon in the Coursefinder on our home pageread on
We also have a wide range of autonomous learning possibilities to help you prepare for these exams.
How is the exam structured?
Each exam has a written part and an oral component. See here for more information about specific exams. read on
.
Do you have to pass all parts of the exam
CELI: candidates who fail a part of the test have a calender year in which to retake that part (i.e. if you fail the written part in March 2016, you have until March 2017 to retake it). read on
telc: candidates who fail a part of the test have until the end of the following year in which to retake it (i.e. if you fail the written part in March 2016, you have until December 2017 to retake it).
Cambridge: You are given an overall grade for the exam, which means if you fail one part you can compensate by doing better in another part. Should you fail, you have to redo the whole exam.
TRKI: In order to pass the exam, candidates have to get at least 66 % in four of the five parts, plus at least 60 % in the fifth part. Should a candidate not pass one or two parts of the exam, they can retake those parts within two years of first taking the exam.
How do I get the results?
Depending on the language and type of exam, the results will either be issued by alpha beta piccadilly or they can be seen online after a given date. read on
Cambridge: For Key, Preliminary, First, Advanced & Proficiency, along with the email confirming your entry you will also receive a login/password to check your results online after a certain date. For Young Learners Flyers Movers & Starters, alpha beta piccdilly will issue you with the result.
telc: alpha beta piccdilly will send you the resulty by email as soon as they are published.
CELI: You can check your results here using your students code after a given date. 
TRKI: alpha beta piccdilly will send you the resulty by email as soon as they are published.
When do I find out the result of the exam?
This depends on the exam board, but at the most you will have to wait is nine weeks.
For Cambridge exams, the results are released after five weeks and the certificate arrives about nine weeks after the exam. read on
For CELI exams, the results are released after five weeks and the certificate arrives about ten weeks after the exam.
For telc exams, both the results and the certificate arrive about seven weeks after the exam.
For TRKI exams, the results are released after two weeks and the certificate arrives about four weeks after the exam.
Is the certificate recognised in South Tyrol?
CELI & telc certificates are recognised by South Tyrol as being equivalent to the bi-lingual examination. read on
Depending on the level, all of these exams are recognised by various companies and universities in Italy, including the University of Bolzano / Bozen.

Our Quality standards