Program Reviews

If you're looking to do this job to MAKE money, forget about it (unless you're from England and the air fare isn't outrageous to get there), because ACLE doesn't supply airfare, pays fairly well but not enough to cover air expenses, and will honestly leave you hanging if they don't have a place for you, and on top of that they don't really take complaints well.
However, if you want to see the world, enjoy working with kids, and have a lot of energy, this is a great experience. It allows you to travel around a lot (well, depending on what your placements are like), have a place to stay and food to eat (while you have a job - they don't guarantee a job every week), and indeed meet people you will never forget.
You had better have a strong heart and get ready to be lonely, especially if you don't speak Italian, because ACLE doesn't place you with friends, and if they don't hire you for a week then you're seriously on your own. Learn how to make friends with people who will help you out, give you a place to stay, or can at least speak a little English.
It was an unforgettable experience and I'm glad I did it, but I can say I won't ever do it again.

A.C.L.E. is really a great program for students who want to spend some time teaching abroad but can not commit to one year. I spent about two months teaching with A.C.L.E. and since I have recruited many friends to go and teach there also...all who have had an incredible time too! Teaching with A.C.L.E. is a lot of hard work. It requires energetic people as you do not teach in a classroom but more in an all-immersion English summer camp atmosphere. You will be required to sing songs, play games, coordinate an end-of-camp show, and teach a little out of books. A.C.L.E. provides all the materials you need, as well as on-site Italian teachers to help with the language barrier. (No, you don't need to speak Italian). You might work at summer camps, which are sleepover camps, or you might work day camps from 8-5. Both are great, and both and pros and cons.

The best part about working with A.C.L.E is that you spend every week working in a new city with new people. That means you are getting paid to travel around Italy, essentially. It also is very tiring as you don't really get to put down roots anywhere, but I loved getting to see more of Italy--parts I definitely would not have seen if I had not been working for A.C.L.E. What is also nice about the program is that your food and accommodation is provided for you. So all the money you make can be saved or spent on what you want!

So overall, you must be energetic, enjoy children, and be okay with spending a different week with new people in different cities all across Italy. If that's you, you'll have a great time with A.C.L.E