Overview

The Italian Institute is pleased to offer three types of Italian language classes: month-long introductory classes (for first-time speakers), monthly conversational classes (for intermediate and advanced speakers), and the eleven-week language courses that comprise our Italian Language Program (all levels).

Monthly Classes

Italian for Travelers is an 8-hour, four-week course designed for beginner students who are specifically interested in acquiring basic communication skills before leaving for Italy. Students will learn many useful skills, including word pronunciation, meeting and greeting others, requesting information, ordering in a restaurant and asking for directions. The instructor will also impart key, culture-specific tips regarding everyday life in Italy (e.g. hours of operation, restaurant etiquette, tip expectations, etc.). All course materials are included in the price and will be provided to students the first day of class.

Italian for Beginners is an 8-hour, four-week course designed for people who are interested in learning Italian but would rather not commit to an 11-week course. In this class, students will study the fundamental structures of the Italian language with an emphasis on use of articles, adjectives, prepositions, and present tense verbs. Basic conversation and easy readings will introduce students to the Italian lifestyle and culture in an interesting and engaging way.

Monthly Conversational Classes are for intermediate and advanced-level students (A2 and B1) that already have a good foundation in the basic structure of the Italian language. This four-week class will provide students with the opportunity to apply and refine their Italian language skills through guided conversations centered around pre-established themes. Each week the various themes will allow students to incorporate new vocabulary while practicing a different verb tense (e.g. present, simple past, simple future and conditional) and improving their conversational abilities.

Italian Language Program

The Italian language Program is designed for students that are interested in continuing their study of the Italian language beyond the introductory level. The Program is comprised of twelve sequential courses that are divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Each level is made up of four courses (01, 02, 03, 04) and each course is comprised of eleven 80-minute classes that meet once weekly in the spring, summer, winter and fall.

The teaching methodology of the Italian Language Program is based on the recommendations of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This framework, which was developed through rigorous scientific research and consultation, is increasingly used as the basis of foreign language curricula and assessment in Europe and around the world.

In accordance with the CEFR, our Beginner level courses correspond with CEFR A1 level, the Intermediate level with the CEFR A2 level, and the Advanced with the CEFR B1 level. For more information, click here.

For students that already have experience with the Italian language, we offer a short, placement exam to determine which of the 12 courses will be the most beneficial to them.