living & working in rome

Hi I am from sydney and just about to start a teaching course over the next 2 months as i want to teach english in italy i will be leaving for rome at the end of sept/start of oct 09,i actually don't speak italian but am hoping that my experience & being thrown in the deep end will help me to learn! if there are any other aussies (or any other nationalities) that are thinking about heading over or are already there, pls drop me a line, any info/tips on what to do when you first arrive, accommodation or even a chat about the hope's any fears etc would be great..
ciao