Ah, Italy. The cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and don’t forget amazing gelato! It’s hard to envision a study abroad experience in Italy without imagining the gorgeous, lilting cadence of the language. But why stop at just imagining it? You could learn to speak it!
We bet Italian language courses in Italy will float your boat (or gondola, in this case).
Learning a new language is no joke—but it’s something you should absolutely do if you’re thinking of studying abroad in Italy. Here are the FAQs about how to learn Italian in Italy and the best ways to do it.
6 FAQs about learning Italian
1. Is Italian hard to learn?
You might be asking yourself: Is it easy to learn Italian? Italian is actually considered one of the easiest foreign languages to learn! The Foreign Services Institute (FSI) in the United States classifies Italian as a category one language (the lowest level of difficulty).
That said, learning a foreign language always takes work. Your brain is forging new pathways, and that requires a lot of constant practice. The good news? Practicing can be fun when you live in Italy! In addition to classroom hours, you can practice your Italian by going shopping or having a night on the town.
2. How long does it take to become fluent in Italian?
Informal language exchanges in Italy are a great way to practice and make friends!
It depends on how many hours you can devote to learning it per day! The FSI gives a guideline of 600 class hours, or about 24 weeks, to establish “professional working proficiency”. That might seem like a lot, but you likely won’t have to wait that long to have a lower baseline fluency. Plus, when your learning hours include touring Italy and ordering amazing food, they’ll fly by in no time!
3. What is the easiest way to learn Italian?
The easiest way to learn any language is full immersion! Living in Italy will provide you with endless opportunities to practice your skills. You’ll also pick up local accents and slang by being around native speakers. Plus, if you get a head start on learning Italian before you even arrive in Italy (perhaps through Duolingo, or similar), that’ll definitely set you up for success.
4. Is Italian like Spanish?
Yes, kind of. Both Spanish and Italian are “romance languages”, meaning they are based on Latin. A lot of English words come from Latin as well, so there are a number of cognates (words that have the same root). For example, the word bank translates to banco in Spanish and banca in Italian! Music is another cognate: musica in both Spanish and Italian.
5. Why learn Italian?
Italian was the language of the Renaissance. This means that many great pieces of classical art, music, and literature were produced in Italian. So, for history, music, and art lovers, Italian should be the top language choice. In fact, students of both art history and voice performance are usually required to hold an intermediate level of Italian in their major.
Imagine people watching under breathtaking Roman architecture…with gelato!
Apart from that, Italian is simply beautiful! It’s known as the language of honey for a reason. If you are traveling and living abroad, learning the local language improves experiences. It’ll help you interact more smoothly with people abroad. It can also help you understand the ins and outs of Italian culture in a way you might not have known if you never learned the language. Learning Italian will boost your confidence and overall experiences, and help you make amazing memories for years to come.
6. Which countries speak Italian?
Italy obviously! Vatican City is nestled in the middle of Rome, so it goes without saying that Italian is spoken there too. Besides these two, Italian is also an official language in Switzerland and San Marino. It has official minority status in Croatia and Slovenia as well.
Our FREE Online Advisor will match you with 5 Italian courses in Italy
4 intensive Italian language courses in Italy
1. Learn Italian in Tuscany at Il Sasso Language Institute
Learn Italian in Italy with this awesome language institute in Tuscany! Not only is this Italian language school in Italy in the heart of Tuscany, but the school itself is located in a gorgeous historical building. This language institute is recognized by the Italian Education Ministry and up to date on the latest standards, so you can be sure that you’re getting the best instruction.
When you’re not busy learning Italian, the language school also offers courses in art history, wine, cookery, literature, and current affairs. You’ll be a cultured, Italian prodigy by the time you finish your courses here! This Italian language course in Italy for adults is a great option.
- Where? Montepulciano, Tuscany
- When? Year round
- Read Il Sasso School of Italian in Tuscany reviews
2. Teen Language Camp in Florence, Italy with Greenheart Travel
This program is geared towards teens and features a host family experience. This means that you’ll be living with a real Italian family and have tons of chances to practice your Italian with them! They’ll also probably cook you tons of authentic, delicious Italian food. Learning Italian in Italy with a homestay is a great choice.
Class sizes in this program are small, with about 12 students in a class, so you’ll get to know your classmates and teacher well. As an extra bonus, this Italian language school in Italy is located right around the block from the famous Florence Cathedral. You’ll also have daily excursions into the city to practice your language skills and see the sights. You won’t regret learning to speak Italian in Italy with this program!
- Where? Florence, Italy
- When? Year round
- Read Greenheart Travel reviews
3. SAI Programs: Italian Language & Culture in Rome
If you want the classic Italian experience, including the Pantheon, Colosseum, and Trevi fountain, this Rome-based program is for you! This full immersion program offers the choice of learning Italian in Italy through a homestay host family experience, but you can choose alternate housing as well.
SAI Programs has been around for over twenty years, so you can be sure that you’re in good hands when you book their Italian Language program in Rome. Plus, for our college-aged travelers, they offer college credit for most of their courses. You’ll further your education (both officially in the classroom and informally around the city) with this program. Learning to speak Italian in Italy with this program will be amazing!
- Where? Rome
- When? Summer and semester programs available
- Read SAI Programs reviews
4. Italian Language and Culture Immersion in Florence
This Italian language course in Italy for adults is based in Florence, but don’t worry about missing out on the rest of Italy! With this program, you’ll also travel to Venice, Verona, Bologna, Siena, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano, Viareggio, and more.
If the trips aren’t enough, the food will be! The program offers cooking nights once or twice a week where you’ll learn how to cook authentic Italian food! Other nights, there will be dinner outings at trendy local restaurants. If you’re not learning to make awesome food or going out to eat, the program has local chefs that will cater meals to the students. Either way, you’ll have authentic, fresh, amazing food.
- Where? Florence
- When? Summer
- Read Abbey Road Programs reviews
Why learn Italian? Cause pizza, that’s why
When was the last time you were THAT excited for lunch?
Learning Italian isn’t too hard, and it will be even easier when you do it in Italy! While you’re improving your language skills at an Italian immersion school, you’ll also meet tons of new friends, experience a new culture, and eat all the pasta and pizza you could ever want. Take full immersion to the next level and learn Italian while having the time of your life in Italy!
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