Speak Italian
Italian Language and Culture Programs
Since Speak! began in 2004 as Ecco Italy, our Italian program is in many ways the inspiration for much of what we do at the Language Center. In addition to our many courses for students of all levels – beginners and travelers through advanced – at Speak!, we also offer Italian Language and Culture immersion experiences in Italy.
The Italian Curriculum: An Inspired Journey
- “Italy in Charlottesville“: weekend course for out-of-towners
- Passaporto: Conversational Italian for Beginners and Travelers
- Intervista : Conversational Italian for Advanced Beginners
- Raccontami : Intermediate Italian Conversation and Grammar
- Prospettive: Advanced Italian Conversation and Grammar
- Workshops and Special Interest: Grammar in Focus, Italian Opera, Writing, Cinema Chat, Pronunciation
- Individual Instruction: 1-on-1 lessons customized to fit your level, goals and schedule!
- Buon Viaggio: Italian for Travelers/Beginners: Learn some Italian and get expert advice before your trip! Custom group courses.
- Italian for Children: After-school, home-school, camps and custom courses. Visit our Speak! Kids page for info!
- Not sure of your level? Set up an evaluation session with us or come to the first class to try it out!
Intensive Individual Italian Course
Course Description
Your private lessons are customized to fit your personal or professional needs. They will give you practice in all of the main language-building areas. That could include anything from pronunciation and intonation to more challenging grammar to vocabulary building, speaking and writing. Whatever your goals with Italian, we will help you achieve them! Locals can spread the lessons out over several months, while out-of-towners can craft a mini, “Italy in Charlottesville” course to take place over a weekend, several days or for an entire week.
Possible Programs:
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10 hours -$600
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20 hours -$1100
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UVA Faculty/Staff Education Benefit Special : 38 hours: $2,000 (over one year).
- 60 hours : $3,000
*Please note that many employers will reimburse for language training. University of Virginia employees and most Postdoctoral and Research Fellows are eligible to apply annual education benefits ($2,000/year) to language training at Speak!
Passaporto 1: Conversational Italian for Beginners. 2-Week Intensive Summer Session!
- Instructor: Speak! Team
- Lesson times: Monday-Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm
- Course dates: June 4 – June 14
- Tuition: $225 + $40 materials fee (Espresso 1 book)
Course Description
Whether you’re eager to make the most of upcoming travel to Italy or you simply wish to start on your journey towards proficiency in this most beautiful language, Passaporto is the course for you! You will learn to master basic grammar and pronunciation and get lots of speaking practice in a variety of situations – from greetings and introductions to ordering at restaurants, shopping and describing people and places.
Passaporto 2: Conversational Italian for Beginners. 2-Week Intensive Summer Session!
- Instructor: Speak! Team
- Lesson times: Monday-Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm
- Course dates: June 18 – June 28
- Tuition: $225 + $40 materials fee (Espresso 2 book)
Course Description
Picks up where Passaporto 1 leaves off! You will continue to master basic grammar and pronunciation and get lots of speaking practice in a variety of situations – from greetings and introductions to ordering at restaurants, shopping and describing people and places.
Intervista: Conversational Italian for Advanced Beginners. 2-Week Intensive Summer Session!
- Instructor:Speak! Team
- Lesson times: Monday-Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm
- Course dates: July 16 – July 26
- Tuition: $225 + materials fee (Espresso 2 book – $40)
Course Description
This fun language and culture course, ideal for students with a basic understanding of Italian in the present tense, will explore several geographical aspects of Italy: the differences between North and South, the Italian emigration to the USA, family relations and the current work environment and youth culture. This course picks up where Passaporto 2 leaves off. Grammar topics will include: a review of present tense, past tense introduction, future tense, dates and times, articles and adjectives, comparatives. Text: Espresso 2.
Italiano all’Opera: Lingua, Cultura e Conversazione
Opera and Travel Lover – you’re still in time to join our Opera-inspired trip to Italy this JULY!
Beginner Class (Charlottesville):
- Instructors: Mary Ann Archer and Patrizia Johnson
- Lesson times: Thursdays 10:45am – 12:15pm
- Course Dates: March 8- May 3 (no class April 5)
- Tuition: $175, extra sessions (April 26, May 3): $60
Intermediate to Advanced (Charlottesville):
- Instructors: Mary Ann Archer and Patrizia Johnson
- Lesson times: Saturdays 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Course dates: March 10- April 28
- Tuition: $250
Course Description
Could there be a more inspiring way to practice your Italian than this special course devoted to the history, plots, passions and, of course, language of Italian opera? Join opera insider Mary Ann Archer – former flutist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – and Italian instructor Patrizia Johnson for this delightful indulgence.
Beginner Class (Lynchburg: Opera on the James*)
- Instructors: Mary Ann Archer and Patrizia Johnson
- Lesson times: Tuesdays 1:00am – 2:30pm
- Course Dates: March 27- May 1
- Tuition: $175
- Please note: this class takes place in Lynchburg at Opera on The James!)
Course Description
Learn Italian through Italian Opera in this unique and entertaining course! Newcomers and extreme beginners are welcome! The pace of this course is tailored to the students’ needs. Italian native and teacher Patrizia Prevosto Johnson and MET Opera Orchestra veteran Mary Ann Archer will take beginners through 18 different arias by composers from Verdi to Puccini, Mozart to Donizetti and more! Using a textbook written in English, students will learn the stories of the operas, practice simple Italian grammar exercises through the arias’ texts, work a crossword puzzle, and perhaps even SING (at a slow speed) each aria’s words with the included CD. If you’ve wished to join this course but thought your Italian was too rudimentary, here is your opportunity!
Scenes from Operas/Scene delle Opere:
- Instructor: Mary Ann Archer
- Lesson times:Thursday afternoons from 3:00-4:30 pm
- Course dates: May 17 – July 5
- Tuition: $200
Course Description
Want to explore the inside stories of some of the world’s most popular operas while learning some beginning Italian? Join MET Opera Orchestra veteran Mary Ann Archer as she leads beginning Italian-language students through colorful scenes from Aida, Don Giovanni, and Carmen. Learn how to give commands with the haughty Don Giovanni. Expand your Italian vocabulary with flowery words used to praise Aida’s beauty. And find out how similar the French and Italian words for life, love, death and destiny are in Carmen’s tragic story. With video clips, vocabulary-images, games, and easy exercises, these classes are aimed at having fun while learning.
Raccontami: Conversational Italian Intermediate Level
- Instructor: Patrizia Johnson
- Lesson times: Mondays 12:15 – 1:45pm
- Spring session: April 9- May 7
- Tuition: $125
Course Description
Raccontami (tell me), explores a variety of conversational and cultural topics geared to encourage students to put together many of the grammatical pieces (present, past and future tenses as well as the conditional) in an engaging, (as always) encouraging small group format. Uses the book, Espresso 2.
Prospettive: Conversational Italian Intermediate/Advanced
- Instructor: Silvia Dupont
- Lesson times: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9 – 10:30am
- Next session: April 9 – May 9
- Tuition: $225 per session
Course Description
If you have a good understanding of Italian and really want to take your speaking and writing to a new level, then this class is for you! We will work on advanced grammar and writing with a lot of emphasis on conversation. We will use authentic material in addition to the book, Espresso 3.
Plunge! Conversational Italian Intensive
- Instructors: Christina Ball and Team
- Lesson times: Monday – Friday, 9am – 1pm daily
- Course dates: May 14-25, 2012
- Tuition: $450
- Two Levels: Beginners and Advanced Beginners
Course Description
Plunge into the beautiful world of Italian language and culture with this fun, effective two week course. Daily practice is the best way to build a strong foundation (in any language), so take advantage of the more tranquil pace of summer to step-up your conversational Italian, make new friends and take a vacation in Charlottesville. This course is multi-level and taught by several instructors and thus both beginners and more experienced students will benefit tremendously from this immersion course. An ideal way to prepare for Italian travels and our own Italian language and culture immersion experience in Italy: Two Weeks in Todi!
Buon Viaggio: Italian for Travelers (and dreamers!)
- Instructor: Patrizia Johnson
- Lesson times: TBA
- Course dates Spring: TBA
- Tuition: $185
Course Description
Whether you’re eager to make the most of upcoming travel to Italy or you simply wish to start on your journey towards proficiency in this most beautiful language, Buon Viaggio is an ideal first step. You’ll learn everything from pronunciation and greetings to how to order at cafes and restaurants. Christina Ball has been leading trips to Italy and helping travelers plan Italian vacations for 10 years – her wealth of information and insider tips will be yours if you sign up for this course!
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Speak Abroad – Come with us to Todi
Now Enrolling for 2012!
Fall: June 16-30, 2012
Join Christina Ball (Speak!) and La Lingua, La Vita Italian school in the hill town of Todi for a glorious two week cultural and linguistic immersion experience.
Click here for more info!