Conversation Courses
Nothing beats a great conversation.
Welcome to Maestrale Conversation, a 5-week course designed to hone your Italian speaking skills. Together, we’ll explore a wide range of topics, with guidance and support from your instructor every step of the way.
Our conversation classes are offered in-person on Saturdays at the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco or online via Zoom.
Grab a coffee, settle in, and get ready to put your Italian into practice!
Click on the class names below for more information.
Not sure which class or level is right for you? No problem, contact us to schedule a free pre-enrollment video chat.
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Beginner Conversation A1
Finding Your Voice
Perfect for those taking their first steps in Italian conversation. We'll build your confidence through vocabulary expansion and chat about everyday topics that matter to you. This class is designed for students who have some Italian foundation. If "I know my basics but freeze up when it's time to actually talk!" sounds familiar, this is the right class for you.
2026 Course details:
In-person Schedule:
August 15, 22, 29. September 5, 12.
Meets: Saturdays
Time: 12pm–1:30pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: In-person at Istituto Italiano di Cultura di San Francisco: 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Get directionshere.
Class size: 8 students max per course.
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Beginner Conversation A1
Finding Your Voice
Perfect for those taking their first steps in Italian conversation. We'll build your confidence through vocabulary expansion and chat about everyday topics that matter to you. This class is designed for students who have some Italian foundation. If "I know my basics but freeze up when it's time to actually talk!" sounds familiar, this is the right class for you.
2026 Course details:
Online Schedule:
August 20, 27. September 3, 10, 17.
Meets: Thursdays
Time: 4pm – 5:30pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: online via Zoom
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Beginner Conversation A1
Finding Your Voice
Perfect for those taking their first steps in Italian conversation. We'll build your confidence through vocabulary expansion and chat about everyday topics that matter to you. This class is designed for students who have some Italian foundation. If "I know my basics but freeze up when it's time to actually talk!" sounds familiar, this is the right class for you.
2026 Course details:
In-person Schedule:
June 13, 20, 27. July 11, 18.
Meets: Saturdays
Time: 4pm – 5:30pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: In-person at Istituto Italiano di Cultura di San Francisco: 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Get directions here.
Class size: 8 students max per course.
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Elementary Conversation A2
Ready to join the conversation?
Start participating in discussions on topics you care about and discover you can say more than you think! You've got the basics down—now it's time to put them to work in actual conversations. Practice expressing your thoughts, asking questions, and sharing your experiences while building the confidence to speak up and join in.
2026 Course details:
In-person Schedule:
August 15, 22, 29. September 5, 12.
Meets: Saturdays
Time: 2pm – 3:30pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: In-person at Istituto Italiano di Cultura di San Francisco: 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Get directions here.
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Elementary Conversation A2
Ready to join the conversation?
Start participating in discussions on topics you care about and discover you can say more than you think! You've got the basics down—now it's time to put them to work in actual conversations. Practice expressing your thoughts, asking questions, and sharing your experiences while building the confidence to speak up and join in.
2026 Course details:
Online Schedule:
August 20, 27. September 3, 10, 17.
Meets: Thursday
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: Online via Zoom
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Lower Intermediate Conversation A2/B1
Time to level up!Join lively discussions on broader topics, explore interesting articles together, and participate in fun interactive activities that will have you thinking in Italian. You know your verbs and tenses, now let's make them work for you. It's time to take your Italian conversation to the next level and feel more confident expressing your thoughts.
2026 Course details:
Online Schedule:
June 3, 10, 17, 24. July 1.
Meets: Wednesday
Time: 10am-11:30am (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: online via Zoom
Class size: 8 students max per course.
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Lower Intermediate Reading + Conversation A2+/B1 (in person)
Time to level up!In this 5-week course, reading and conversation work together. Using a story designed for B1-level learners, you’ll develop your comprehension, expand your vocabulary, and strengthen your speaking through guided, interactive activities. You’ll review key grammar structures as they naturally emerge from the text—so you can start using them with more confidence.
In-person Schedule:
September 12, 19, 26. October 3, 10, 17.
Meets: Saturday
Time: 10:30am - 12pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Upper Intermediate Conversation B2+
Now we are talking!Engage in meaningful discussions and explore content that broadens your perspective. You've mastered the fundamentals—now it's time to polish your fluency and navigate those tricky Italian subtleties. Express your opinions, discuss current events, and communicate with growing confidence and natural flow.
2026 Course details:
Class Schedule:
August 1, 8, 15, 22. 29.
Meets: Saturday
Time: 4-5:30pm (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: in-person at Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Get directions here.
Class size: 8 students max per course.
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Upper Intermediate Conversation B2+
Now we are talking!Engage in meaningful discussions and explore content that broadens your perspective. You've mastered the fundamentals—now it's time to polish your fluency and navigate those tricky Italian subtleties. Express your opinions, discuss current events, and communicate with growing confidence and natural flow.
2026 Course details:
Class Schedule:
October 6, 13, 20. November 3, 10.
(No class on Oct. 27th.)
Meets: Tuesday
Time: 10-11:30am (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: online via Zoom
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited. -
Advanced Conversation C1
You earned your mastery, now let it shine.
Participate in complex debates, analyze sophisticated material, and express nuanced ideas with precision and eloquence. You have solid command of the language—now it's time to perfect your mastery and communicate like a native speaker. Tackle abstract concepts, cultural intricacies, and challenging topics with the confidence of true fluency.
2026 Course details:
Online Schedule:
September 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026
Meets: Tuesday
Time: 10am–11:30am (PST)
Class duration: 1.5 hour
Location: online via Zoom
Material: provided by instructor
Price: $220
Book soon! Seats are limited.