Study Italian language in Italy: all the options

There are many reasons why you might want to learn Italian in Italy. Many international students, for example, choose to take a language course before starting their university studies. Others are simply passionate about the Italian language, while some aim to obtain citizenship or reunite with family.

Whatever the case, in this article we provide an overview of all the available options for studying Italian in Italy.

Why learning Italian in Italy

There are many advantages to studying Italian in Italy. First of all, language immersion, which is always the best choice when talking about learning a foreign language.

Here are some key benefits of learning Italian in Italy:

• Full immersion: being surrounded by native speakers accelerates language acquisition and comprehension;
• Practical application: you'll use Italian daily in real-life situations, such as ordering food, shopping, and socializing. This gives you the opportunity to learn Italian in the most natural way;
• Faster progress: exposure to authentic pronunciation, intonation, and colloquial expressions ensures steady improvement;
• Networking opportunities: studying in Italy allows you to meet locals and fellow international students, expanding your personal and professional connections.

Italian lessons in Italy

There are many different ways to study Italian in Italy: you could take private classes with a teacher, join a group course with other students or enroll in a university program.

Private tutors

One-on-one classes with a private teacher are a great option, especially for beginners who need to learn the basics of grammar, pronunciation, and conversation. These lessons are usually personalized and tailored to the student's specific needs.

Language schools

There are plenty of private and public schools in Italy that offer different kinds of courses for all needs. These programs vary in duration, schedule, and price, and some focus on specific topics such as "Italian for medical students."

Intensive courses or summer schools

These courses are ideal for professionals or individuals with limited time for in-person classes. They provide a quick way to improve your Italian skills. For example, the University of Palermo organizes a seven-week summer school in Sicily, offering students the chance to explore Italian culture while learning the language.

University programs

University courses typically provide high-quality education taught by expert professors.

Bear in mind that if you plan to study at an Italian university, you usually need a B2-level official certification to be accepted.

Best schools to study Italian and obtain an official certification

Not all language schools issue recognized certifications, so it's important to verify whether a school is authorized to grant Italian language proficiency certificates.

Here are some institutions recognized by MIUR (Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca) that offer official certifications.

Università per Stranieri di Siena

A university with a rich and ancient history, in the beautiful setting of Tuscany. Offers preparation courses for the CILS certification.

Università per Stranieri di Perugia

In addition to offering bachelor's and master's degree programs in Italian, the Università per Stranieri di Perugia provides Italian language and culture courses ranging from four weeks to three months.

Università degli Studi Roma Tre

This university administers and evaluates exams for the Certit Italian as a second language certification.

Get your student visa with Welcome Association Italy

If your goal is to come to Italy to study Italian or enroll in one of the country's top universities, Welcome Association Italy can help simplify the process. We can offer you assistance in obtaining a student visa for Italy and support you through the process of applying to the university course of your choice.

You can consult our student’s guide and contact us for more information.