Advantage al British

The British Institute’s English language learning project for disadvantaged young people in Florence

The Project
The “Advantage al British” project is a true injection of future for young people in Florence. Imagine: learning English with the best, obtaining prestigious Cambridge certifications, and opening the doors to the world of work, especially in sectors such as hospitality and tourism!

The “Advantage al British” project aims to offer English language learning opportunities and Cambridge certifications to young people in Florence.

Studies show that knowledge of English is one of the key soft skills required by Italian employers, and the lack of it limits job prospects. The project seeks to bridge this gap by offering British Institute English courses to as many students as possible, thereby improving their employability and future opportunities.

English must become a passport to the future! And the British Institute of Florence, the beating heart of English culture in Florence, with the support of local partners and thanks to the generosity of those who believe in the future, is committed to transforming lives and bridging cultures — “Bridging Cultures to Transform Lives.”

The Results of the First Three Years

The program started in the autumn of 2022 with funding from a private Foundation and strong support from the then-Councillor, now Mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro. The three-year "construction and testing" phase concluded in February 2025, during which three different English offerings were developed and piloted with two partner schools in the hospitality sector: IPSSEOA Aurelio Saffi and IPA Buontalenti. 

In just three years, 317 Florentine students have already benefited from this incredible program. 163 students attended courses at Saffi; 123 students attended workshops at Saffi; 28 students attended workshops at Buontalenti; 3 students received individual scholarships.

On average, 82% passed the final exam, and 93% of students reported feeling a clear improvement in their English language skills.

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Objectives for the Next Three Years 2025-2028

The British Institute of Florence aims to expand the "Advantage al British" project to help young people improve their life chances by learning English. Our challenge is to involve 500 teenagers and young adults in the A.Y. 2025/26, 750 people in the A.Y. 2026/27, and reach 1,000 teenagers and young adults involved in the project in the A.Y. 2027/28.

✴️ Starting from the 2025-26 school year, we intend not only to continue this important "Advantage al British" program but also to increase its scope over the next three years by offering these opportunities:

• 20-hour English courses for the hospitality/tourism sector.
• Cambridge exam preparation courses – Levels A2, B1, B2.
• Special ‘Working English’ workshops covering English for the workplace and soft skills (CVs, job interviews, communication, presentations).

✴️ Individual scholarships for deserving students to attend the "British" afternoon courses and also cover the exam registration fee. The goal is to offer capable students, who would otherwise not have the opportunity, the chance to study in a different context like that of the British Institute.

Target Audience

• Students attending upper secondary schools which have an  economically disadvantaged student population in sectors where English proficiency is essential for entering the job market, such as hospitality and tourism schools like IPSSEOA “A. Saffi” and other Technical Institutes, for example, I.I.S. Sassetti Peruzzi and I.T.T. Marco Polo. 

In November 2025, The Advantage al British Project was awarded the official Patronage from the City Council of Florence, demonstrating their continuing support for this Project.

​​For more information please contact director@britishinstitute.it 

For the complete presentation, click here

Updates on the March 2026 Newsletter.