There are approximately 200 language schools in the capital of Italy, most of which specialise in teaching Italian to foreigners. A wealth of institutions offer courses in English and other languages as well. It is common for language schools in Rome to ask for a registration fee. Also, students often have to pay for the learning materials separately unless they wish to use their own, which is permitted in some establishments. Language schools usually provide their learners with a choice of extensive courses that last a semester (from October to July) and intensive courses taking from 2 to 12 weeks. The courses are often complemented by extra free activities, e.g. dancing and cooking as well as trips which allow students to explore the ancient Rome and practice their newly acquired language skills in real-life situations.