Imagine yourself sitting at a charming café by a central piazza, perhaps with a red-and-white checkered tablecloth (or maybe not), ordering an espresso in Italian. The coffee arrives a little differently than you’re used to, but you sip it, understanding that’s just how it is in Italy, while you watch people passing by, catching familiar words and phrases.
This isn’t a fantasy; it’s my experience every time I travel to Italy to study Italian (though I don’t actually drink coffee).
Yes, it might seem strange to learn Italian, a language spoken primarily in one country, but it’s a language you easily fall in love with.
Why Study Italian in Italy?
The first time I tried learning Italian was when I was 17. I already knew Spanish and was looking for a challenge, so I flew to Italy for a two-week summer course.
Since then, I’ve forgotten and relearned Italian several times, including a course in Israel during my military service and an intensive Zoom course at Tel Aviv University during the pandemic. But it just didn’t click. By the end of the semester, I realized that if I were dropped in the streets of Rome, I probably wouldn’t be able to get by in Italian.
This might sound like an overly high expectation, but after just a month (or even two weeks) of classes in Italy, you’d be surprised at how much you’ll understand—and you’ll even start chatting with waiters and locals. Your vocabulary will grow faster than you can imagine, and you’ll get to practice what you learn in class right in the streets of Italy.
That’s the magic of learning Italian in Italy—you live the language. And Italian isn’t just a language; it’s culture, art, and a state of mind that you’ll experience and maybe even adopt during your stay.
Who Is an Italian Course For?
Honestly? Everyone. In my classes, I met people of all ages—from 17-year-olds from Switzerland practicing their second language, to students, and even retirees making the most of their newfound free time.
I’ve gone to these courses both alone and with a friend who was at a different level. Either way, you’ll always meet people in class, during breaks, and at group activities.
When I did the course for the third time, I even worked remotely while studying. So, if you have a flexible schedule, it’s totally possible!
Which City Should You Study in?
Choosing the right city and school to learn Italian will make a big difference in how much you learn and your overall experience.
One important thing to keep in mind: Italy isn’t just home to one Italian; there are very different dialects (almost like separate languages), like those spoken in Naples or Sicily.
The Italian taught in schools is standard Italian, the one of Dante, which is spoken on TV and radio. So, I recommend studying in a city where the language spoken on the streets is close to what you’re learning in class.
Florence is a perfect choice—a small city (or at least its central area) that’s easy to walk around, allowing you to study in the mornings and join tours and activities in the afternoon.
Rome is also a great option, though it’s more expensive and busier.
Bologna is a fun student city where you can walk everywhere, but in my experience, finding accommodation there was a pricey challenge (around €500 for a week).
I studied in Florence three times, always in September. The first time, I planned for two weeks but extended to a month because I enjoyed it so much. The second time, I tried Bologna, but I cut the trip short after a negative learning experience. The third time, I returned to Florence, already familiar with the school and the surroundings.
How to Choose the Right Italian School and Course?
When you’re learning Italian in Italy for the first time, it’s hard to know which school will suit you. Pay attention to what matters most to you: social life, extracurricular activities, and teaching quality.
I traveled alone, so it was important to me that the school offered activities after classes and that the teaching level was high. I had limited time and wanted to make the most of it.
I booked all my courses through the agency Studia in Italia, which represents almost all the big schools in Italy. If you use my code ITALIANSUGAR, you’ll get a discount! Just email them the code or enter it in the booking form.
Here are some of the most well-known schools:
- Scuola Leonardo da Vinci – with branches in Rome, Florence, Milan, and Siena.
- Il Sasso – a school in Montepulciano, one of the most beautiful towns in the heart of Tuscany.
- DILIT International House – one of the oldest schools in Rome, offering a variety of courses for all levels.
The Perfect School in Florence:
My favorite school for learning Italian is ABC School in Florence, which merged with Centro Michaelveli. The courses are very structured—each student gets a level-appropriate workbook, and you progress to the next one every two weeks. It almost doesn’t matter who your teacher is, as the lessons are highly professional and organized.
On my second visit to Florence, I found myself in a group that had already started a week earlier. It was tough because they were ahead in the material. After I complained, they moved me to another group that had started that week, which solved the problem.
Studying in Bologna
In Bologna, I chose the Madre Lingua school based on a recommendation from a Spanish friend I met in Florence. He said they focused on practicing spoken Italian, but unfortunately, I wasn’t satisfied. There was no structured curriculum, and everything felt too relaxed, mainly because of the teacher I had. It was a small school, and I couldn’t switch groups, so I stopped after a week.
On the bright side, the school had joint breaks, which was really nice. We’d all go to a nearby café, students from all levels, and try to practice Italian with the teachers. While it was a nice idea, I didn’t get the practice I expected in hindsight.
Activities Outside of Classes
Almost every school offers a variety of extracurricular activities—tours, wine workshops, cooking classes, and more. These are great opportunities to practice the language, learn new vocabulary, and make new friends.
In Florence, I especially recommend the tours with Silvia, a teacher at ABC who’s also a certified tour guide. She shares the city’s history in an engaging way and knows the best places to eat and drink.
You’ll be amazed, but after just a week in Italy, you’ll be able to join her tour entirely in Italian, with the occasional hand gesture to clarify meaning.
How to Choose a Course?
In general, I recommend starting with a basic course, and if you want, you can upgrade to an intensive course later.
Basic courses include 3-4 hours of morning classes (with a break in between). Intensive courses add a few more hours in the afternoon after lunch. Personally, I find intensive courses a bit tiring—I prefer to use my free time to explore the city and “digest” the material outside.
If you choose an intensive course, make sure there’s a sufficient break between morning and afternoon sessions so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
Course Structure in Florence:
- Conversation class: 11:00–12:30
- Grammar class: 9:00–10:30
- 30 minutes break
Between classes, students switch groups, giving you a chance to meet more people and learn in a more diverse setting. Keep in mind that you might be at a different level in the conversation class than in grammar. For example, I was stronger in conversation since I spoke and understood better than my grasp of grammar.
Italian Language Levels:
The levels start at A1 and are further divided into sub-levels (A1.1, A1.2). In Florence, you’ll finish A1.1 in two weeks, and within a month, you’ll complete the entire A1 level.
How Much Do Italian Courses Cost?
Course fees vary by city. In Rome, for example, you’ll pay more for both the course and accommodation. In contrast, in Florence, you’ll pay around €400–500 for a two-week course, and accommodation will cost another €400–500 for two weeks.
Don’t forget to use my discount code ITALIANSUGAR through Studia in Italia to save on costs.
Accommodation During the Course
Many schools offer homestay options with local families, and I highly recommend it. At first, I looked for an apartment on my own, but after seeing the prices, I opted for a homestay, and it was amazing.
You’ll usually live with an “Italian mamma” in your own room. Living with a local is the perfect way to improve your language skills and experience Italian culture up close, and after a few days, you’ll find yourself chatting with them in Italian about life and culture.
My Homestay Experience:
The first time, I stayed with Sofia, a woman in her 60s who looked like she might have been a model in her youth. There was also a Japanese student staying with us who was learning Italian because she sang opera.
Sofia’s home was stunning, and I was lucky to wake up every morning to a breathtaking view of private gardens outside my window. She was very particular about cleanliness and even did my laundry and ironed my clothes! In the kitchen, each of us had our own shelf in the cupboard and fridge, so I felt independent yet part of the family.
I had such a great connection with my first host that she invited me and the other student to dinner at the end of my stay. When I returned to Florence two years later, I even attended her birthday party.
During my next visits, I stayed with different hosts, each with their own unique style and level of cleanliness, but each experience was special in its own way.
Important Things to Note:
- If you’re a woman and prefer to stay with another woman, it’s good to mention that upfront (though usually, that’s what they’ll offer anyway).
- You usually won’t get photos of the apartment in advance.
- If you have allergies to pets, the school will check ahead to find a suitable place for you.
- Make sure your accommodation is within a reasonable walking distance from the school, ideally 30 minutes or less—this will save you time and allow you to return for a break before afternoon classes.
Got questions? Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or Facebook!
