Italian for Beginners

Welcome. You’ve found the perfect place to start.

Our Beginner Levels will guide you step by step into the beautiful world of the Italian language. Whether you're completely new to Italian or already familiar with the basics, this is the perfect place to begin. Throughout these levels, you'll build a strong foundation in grammar and gain the confidence to engage in simple, everyday conversations. Expect a communicative approach, fun activities, and a welcoming learning environment.

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.

  • Beginner 1 Intensive (online)

    This 4-week ONLINE course is designed for complete beginners who want to make rapid progress in a short time. Meeting twice a week, the course provides a structured and immersive introduction to Italian, focusing on essential grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. Ideal for motivated learners who prefer a faster-paced learning experience.

    This course will help you:

    • Communicate in Italian at
    a basic level 
    • Use correct pronunciation 
    • Engage in simple conversations, asking and answering questions

    Key grammar topics: nouns, adjectives, indefinite articles, present tense.

    Class Starts: May 26th, 2026
    Class Ends: June 18th 2026
    Class Meets: Tuesday & Thursday
    3pm-4:30pm (PST)
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4

    Class Schedule:
    May 26, 28. June 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18.

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 1

    This 8-week IN-PERSON course is designed for absolute beginners and offers a warm, accessible introduction to the language. Start here!

    This course will help you:

    • Communicate in Italian at
    a basic level 
    • Use correct pronunciation 
    • Engage in simple conversations, asking and answering questions

    Key grammar topics: nouns, adjectives, indefinite articles, present tense.

    Class Starts: August 8th, 2026
    Class Ends: September 26th 2026
    Class Meets: Saturday 2pm-3:30pm (PST)
    Class Location: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 710 Sansome St.,
    San Francisco, CA 94111
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4

    Class Schedule:
    August 8, 15, 22, 29. September 5, 12, 19, 26.

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 2

    This 8-week IN-PERSON course will expand your ability to engage in basic interactions building upon what you've learned in Italian for Beginners 1.

    This course will help you:

    • Interact with confidence at a bar or restaurant 
    • Express your food preferences 
    • Ask the right questions in a hotel

    Key grammar topics: definite articles, modal verbs, irregular verbs.

    8-week online course

    Class Begins: May 9th, 2026
    Class Ends: June 27th, 2026.
    Class Meets: Saturdays 10am-11:30am(PST)
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Class Location: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4

    Class Schedule: May 9, 16, 23, 30. June 6, 13, 20, 27.

    Price: $350
    Book soon! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 2 Intensive (online)

    This 4-week ONLINE course is designed for beginners who want to make rapid progress in a short time. Meeting twice a week, the course provides a structured and immersive introduction to Italian, focusing on essential grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. Ideal for motivated learners who prefer a faster-paced learning experience.

    This 4-week ONLINE course will expand your ability to engage in basic interactions building upon what you've learned in Italian for Beginners 1.

    This course will help you:

    • Interact with confidence at a bar or restaurant 
    • Express your food preferences 
    • Ask the right questions in a hotel

    Key grammar topics: definite articles, modal verbs, irregular verbs.

    Class Begins: July 28th, 2026
    Class Ends: August 20h, 2026.
    Class Meets: Tuesday & Thursday
    3pm-4:30pm (PST)
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Class Location: online via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4

    Class Schedule: July 28, 30. August 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20.

    Price: $350
    Book soon! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 3

    This 8-week ONLINE course will continue building upon what you've learned in Beginners 1 and 2, expanding your ability to communicate in Italian in everyday situations.

    This course will help you:

    • Ask and give directions 
    • Ask and tell time 
    • Talk about yourself and the
    things you like

    Key grammar topics: compound prepositions, reflexive verbs, verb piacere, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    Class Starts: May 29th, 2026
    Class Ends: July 10th, 2026
    Class Meets: Friday, 6pm-7:30pm
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4
    Class Schedule: May 29. Jun 5, 12, 19, 26. July 10, 17, 24. (no class on 7/3).

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 3

    This 8-week IN PERSON course will continue building upon what you've learned in Beginners 1 and 2, expanding your ability to communicate in Italian in everyday situations.

    This course will help you:

    • Ask and give directions 
    • Ask and tell time 
    • Talk about yourself and the
    things you like

    Key grammar topics: compound prepositions, reflexive verbs, verb piacere, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    Please note: The first class on Wednesday July 1st will be held ONLINE at 6pm, due to the Fourth of July holiday. Subsequent classes will be held IN PERSON on Saturdays at the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco.

    Class Starts: Wednesday July 1st, 2026 time: 6pm-7:30pm (Only this date is ONLINE and at this time)
    Class Ends: Sept. 19th, 2026
    Class Meets: Saturday, 10am-11:30am
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Class Location: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 710 Sansome St., San Francisco, CA 94111
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni

    Class Schedule: July 1 (online) 11, 18, 25. August 29. September 5, 12,19

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 3 Intensive (online)

    This 4-week ONLINE course is designed for beginners who want to make rapid progress in a short time. Meeting twice a week, the course provides a structured and immersive introduction to Italian, focusing on essential grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. Ideal for motivated learners who prefer a faster-paced learning experience.

    This course will continue building upon what you've learned in Beginners 1 and 2, expanding your ability to communicate in Italian in everyday situations.

    This course will help you:

    • Ask and give directions 
    • Ask and tell time 
    • Talk about yourself and the
    things you like

    Key grammar topics: compound prepositions, reflexive verbs, verb piacere, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    Class Starts: September 1st, 2026
    Class Ends: September 24th, 2026
    Class Meets: Tuesday &Thursday 3pm-4:30pm
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4
    Class Schedule: September 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24.

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 4 (online)

    This 8-week ONLINE course will continue building upon what you've learned in Beginners 1, 2, and 3, expanding your ability to communicate in Italian in everyday situations.

    This course will help you: 

    • Talk about past experiences 
    • Talk about festivities and traditions 
    • Talk about your family

    Key grammar topics: particle ci as adverb of place, passato prossimo, possessive adjectives, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    Class Starts: August 14th, 2026
    Class Ends: October 2nd, 2026
    Class Meets: Fridays, 6pm-7:30pm (PST)
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4
    Class Schedule: August 14, 21, 28. September 4, 11, 18, 25. October 2.

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 4 Intensive (online)

    This 4-week ONLINE course is designed for beginners who want to make rapid progress in a short time. Meeting twice a week, the course provides a structured and immersive introduction to Italian, focusing on essential grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. Ideal for motivated learners who prefer a faster-paced learning experience.

    This course will continue building upon what you've learned in Beginners 1, 2,and 3, expanding your ability to communicate in Italian in everyday situations.

    This course will help you: 

    • Talk about past experiences 
    • Talk about festivities and traditions 
    • Talk about your family

    Key grammar topics: particle ci as adverb of place, passato prossimo, possessive adjectives, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    Class Starts: October 6th, 2026
    Class Ends: October 29th, 2026
    Class Meets: Tuesday & Thursday 3pm-4:30pm (PST)
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4
    Class Schedule: October 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29.

    Price: $350
    Book now! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 5 (online)

    This 8-week course is designed for continuing beginner students or those with a basic foundation in Italian.

    This course will help you: 

    • Shop with confidence in Italy
    • Talk about food, cooking, and recipes 
    • Speak with a pharmacist or doctor for health-related needs

    Key grammar topics: direct pronouns, time prepositions, and informal imperative mood, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    8-week online course

    Class Begins: May 18th, 2026
    Class Ends: June 29th, 2026
    Class Meets: Monday 10:30am - 12pm.
    *No class on Memorial Day 5/25.
    *Class 2 & 6 meets on Wednesday.
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4

    Class Schedule:
    May 18, 27. June 1, 8, 15, 17, 22, 29.

    Price: $350
    Book soon! Seats are limited.

  • Beginner 5 Intensive (online)

    This 4-week ONLINE course is designed for beginners who want to make rapid progress in a short time. Meeting twice a week, the course provides a structured and immersive introduction to Italian, focusing on essential grammar, vocabulary, and communication skills. Ideal for motivated learners who prefer a faster-paced learning experience.

    This course will continue building upon what you've learned in Beginners 1, 2, 3, and 4, expanding your ability to communicate in Italian in everyday situations.

    This course will help you: 

    • Shop with confidence in Italy
    • Talk about food, cooking, and recipes 
    • Speak with a pharmacist or doctor for health-related needs

    Key grammar topics: direct pronouns, time prepositions, and informal imperative mood, plus expanded vocabulary and conversation practice.

    4-week online course

    Class Begins: November 10th, 2026
    Class Ends: December 10th, 206
    *No classes on November 24-26.
    Class Meets: Tuesday & Thursday 3pm-4:30pm
    Class duration: 1.5 hours.
    Location: online course via Zoom
    Textbook: Dieci A1 - Alma edizioni
    Minimum students: 4

    Class Schedule: November 10, 12, 17, 19. December 1, 3, 8, 10.

    Price: $350
    Book soon! Seats are limited.

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