Italian beginners: a summer journey
If you're interested in learning Italian and want to get a quick intensive introduction to the language, perhaps before a visit this year, this course will introduce to you the basics. You'll also get some cultural insight from the course tutor on interesting places to visit and different aspects of Italian culture and history.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 21 Jul 2025End Date: 25 Jul 2025Mon-Fri (Daytime): 10:30 - 13:30In PersonFull fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course is a weeklong introduction to Italian grammar and vocabulary, ideal for those who want to learn a bit of Italian but who aren't yet sure if they want to commit to a longer course. Your tutor will guide you through some basic concepts and vocabulary and give you opportunities to practice the new language in class. By the end of the week you should feel more comfortable about simple exchanges in Italian, which will help you to have a more enjoyable time in Italy should you be travelling there this year.
What will we cover?
You'll cover the basics of talking about yourself and meeting and greeting others. You'll also get a taste for Italian grammar (e.g. how sentences are formed and grammatical items like verb, prepositions and articles). Your tutor will also talk about places of interested in Italy, Italian customs and a bit of history.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
You should feel more confident about introducing yourself and communicating in basic everyday situations such as you are likely to encounter when visiting Italy. You'll also get a taste of what Italian grammar and vocabulary are like and get to decide if you'd like to pursue more in-depth study.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is meant for absolute beginners.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Our courses are characterised by spoken interaction and communication. Typical activities include pair work, group work, role plays and games. A range of resources will be used to support your learning including presentations, hand-outs, and audio-visual material.
Homework is highly recommended to consolidate learning.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
As this is a short introductory course, there is no need to buy a course book. The tutor will provide any necessary photocopies.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
If you've enjoyed learning Italian, we recommend you try a standard Italian beginners: module 1 or Italian Rapidamente: module 1 course. Please email Italian@citylit.ac.uk if you have any questions at all.
Ciao! My name is Veronica De Felice and I come from Southern Italy. I was born in Pompei ("not in the ruins", a joke I always make with my students) and I have always been fond of languages. Indeed, I studied languages at secondary school (English, Spanish, French and Latin) and I graduated at the University of Naples, l'Orientale, with a BA (Hon) in Modern Foreign Languages. I moved to London in 2002 and, after three years, I gained a CLTA qualification at Goldsmith University, and a few years later a level 5 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector. In 2006, I started working as an Italian tutor in various colleges and universities, such as Goldsmith College, the University of Arts, Croydon College, University of Wesminster, City University and City Lit since 2010. At the moment, I am also teaching A level italian at LAE Tottenham, and the IB diploma in an international school in central London. I believe that studying and speaking another language expands your personal and communication skills, and makes you see the world from a different perspective. For me, learning a language is about challenging yourself, getting out of your comfort zone and having fun!
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.