SPRING 2025 – registration is OPEN!

The Italian Association of Arizona is pleased to offer Italian language classes to the community.

We offer two 12-week sessions in Fall and Spring. Most classes meet online, live, via Zoom, with some options for in-person classes with a minimum of 5 students. All classes are 90 minutes.

At the end of the course, students will receive a certificate showing the course completion. There will be a complimentary brunch for all students, a fantastic opportunity to meet your classmates and instructors, network, and practice Italian!

All classes aim to promote an adequate understanding and practice of the Italian language vocabulary, sentence structures, and culture. Classwork is collaborative and emphasizes communication in the target language, with audio and video resources to illustrate, practice, and learn new material. Light homework will improve retention and ensure smooth learning growth.

Getting together to practice with classmates outside the class is strongly encouraged!

Italian Language Classes

Class Offerings

Beginning Levels 1-4

  • This class is for students with little or basic knowledge of Italian.

    What to expect to learn:

    • 500 words

    • Use and understand basic phrases

    • Be able to introduce yourselves and others

    • Learn to ask and answer questions about familiar, personal details

    • Interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly

  • This class is for students with a beginning knowledge of Italian and those continuing Level I.

    What to expect to learn:

    • 500 words

    • Use and understand basic phrases

    • Be able to introduce yourselves and others

    • Learn to ask and answer questions about familiar, personal details

    • Interact in a simple way, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly

  • This class is for students with a solid beginning knowledge of Italian and those continuing Level II.

    Approximately 180 - 200 hours

    What to expect to learn:

    • 1,000 words

    • Use and understand simple phrases and express immediate needs

    • Can describe aspects of your background and immediate environment

    • Be able to describe affairs in areas of immediate need in simple terms

  • This class is for students continuing Level III.

    Approximately 180 - 200 hours

    What to expect to learn:

    • 1,000 words

    • Use and understand simple phrases and express immediate needs

    • Can describe aspects of your background and immediate environment

    • Be able to describe affairs in areas of immediate need in simple terms

CLASS MATERIALS

Textbook: New Italian Espresso BEGINNER/PRE intermediate UPDATED-TB ISBN 9788861827240-.

  • Workbook: New Italian Espresso BEGINNER/PRE intermediate UPDATED-WB ISBN:9788861827288-

For those who prefer the digital editions:

You can purchase the textbooks using Amazon (insert exact ISBN)  or any of your choice.

Intermediate Levels

  • This class is designed for students who have completed all beginner levels or possess a solid understanding of spoken Italian. It focuses on enhancing conversational skills, building confidence, and achieving fluency through engaging discussions and interactive activities.

    Approximately 350 - 400 hours

    What to expect to learn:

    • 2,000 words

    • Use and understand common issues and improvise discussion

    • Can produce simple connected text on familiar topics or of personal interest

    • Can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes and ambitions

    • Can briefly give reasons and explanations of opinions and plans

  • This class is tailored for students who have completed Level 4 and Italian Conversation courses or possess equivalent knowledge of the language. It focuses on advancing grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills to further enhance proficiency.

    Approximately 350 - 400 hours

    What to expect to learn:

    • 2,000 words

    • Use and understand common issues and improvise discussion

    • Can produce simple connected text on familiar topics or of personal interest

    • Can describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes and ambitions

    • Can briefly give reasons and explanations of opinions and plans

CLASS MATERIALS

Textbook: New Italian Espresso Intermediate/Advanced – TB ISBN: 9788861826892

  • Workbook: New Italian Espresso Intermediate/Advanced – WB ISBN: 9788861825758

For those who prefer the digital editions:

You can purchase the textbooks using Amazon (insert exact ISBN)  or any of your choice.

REFUND POLICY:

Our refund policy is consistent with most other live, online language classes.
Cancellations during the first week of class is refunded 60% or the full amount is credited toward a future class.
No refunds issued after the first week.

  • Email us for information on any of these classes: info@italianassociation.org

TUITION for the 12-week program:

  •  $390.00 for non-members 

  •  $350.00 for members of the Italian Association

    Tuition does not include the cost of books or other class-related materials.

Meet the Instructors

  • Gina Pietrantoni

    I was born and grew up in the beautiful region of Abruzzo in central Italy, surrounded by the Apennine mountains and dreaming of the world.

    I hold an M.A. in Foreign Language Pedagogy from the University of Venice and an M.A. in Foreign Languages and Cultures from the University of L’Aquila.

    I have taught Italian in higher education since 2001. I am a contributing author of first and second-year Italian textbooks and have led study abroad programs in Italy. In collaboration with the Italian Association of Arizona, in the summer of 2020, we started the Italian classes live, via Zoom, with the intent to offer an outlet for the mind and the soul. Our classes have grown, and we are thrilled!

    I am excited to work with you and guide you on the fantastic journey of learning Italian!

  • Sandra Palaich

    I grew up in Croatia where I fell in love with Italian at an early age. I hold BAs in English and Italian languages and literatures and an MA in Italian literature.

    Before I came to the US, I was a translator and interpreter, performing simultaneous and consecutive translations at conferences and meetings, as well as written translations of a variety of texts and books.

    I retired in 2022 after teaching Italian at a university level for 25 years. I taught a variety of language, culture, business and film courses, directed study abroad programs and co-authored a textbook for third-year Italian courses. Now I split my time between sunny Scottsdale and breezy Adriatic Sea.

    I am excited to join the Italian Association team and I look forward to meeting you and sharing our Italian experiences.

  • Antonella Morgillo

    A native of the enchanting coastal region of Naples, Italy, my enduring love of travel has been a constant in my life. I earned my B.A. and M.A. in Comparative Languages and Cultures from the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, before obtaining a Certificate in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language from the same institution.

    After completing my academic journey, I moved to Tokyo, Japan, where I immersed myself in the study of Japanese language and culture, for which I have a deep interest and passion, and where I continued to teach my own culture and language with great enthusiasm.
    Finally, I moved to the enchanting state of Arizona where I am currently completing my academic journey and continuing my teaching career. I am delighted to be a teaching member of the Italian Association of Arizona and to have the opportunity to share my deep love for Italy with all my students.
    Education

    M.A. Japanese Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

    M.A. Comparative Literature and Culture, University of Naples “L’Orientale”

    B.A. Comparative Language and Culture, Unversity of Naples “L’Orientale”

  • Elisabetta Ferrari

    I was born in the vibrant coastal city of Genova and grew up in the dynamic
    metropolis of Milano. I hold a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Milan and a certification in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language from the University of Venice.


    My career has spanned various roles in the educational field, including
    years as a career counselor. My family and I have lived on three different
    continents, embracing a multicultural and multilingual lifestyle that has
    deeply enriched my teaching approach and perspective.


    I offer in-person classes to provide an immersive and interactive
    environment, which, I believe, can significantly enhance the learning
    experience, fostering a deeper connection to the language and culture.


    I am excited to bring my passion for Italian language and culture to our
    community and to share it with all of you!
    Classes will be held in the welcoming environment of my family ranch,
    adding a personal and unique touch to our learning experience.

Zoom Netiquette

Even though we are in our private space at home, please remember that our class in Zoom is a learning environment that must be conducive to learning and free from noise and other distractions.

Below are simple, practical suggestions, but often a reminder is helpful:

– Your attire must be appropriate
– Your cell phone silenced
– You must behave as if you were in a classroom
– Drinking water is permissible; eating is not (preferable no alcohol consumption during classes)
– We may record the conversations for purposes of course improvement


Technology

– Your internet connection must be reliable and students are responsible for ensuring that they have reliable technology
– Your webcam and microphone must be in good working order so that your audio and video can come through clearly for your classmates and the instructor.
– During a class meeting, the instructor shares material on the screen. We recommend using a big screen and a headset and avoiding using smartphones.
For more specific details on System requirements for Windows, macOS, and Linux, use this link:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-Requirements-for-PC-Mac-and-Linux#bandwidth

Communication

All communication from and to the instructor is via email, provided at the enrollment time. Please, put in the subject line your course level.


Missing Class Support

Consistent attendance and participation are essential to progress in your journey to learning Italian. If you missed or planned to miss a class, contact your instructor ASAP and ask for a summary of what happened during the missed session. Upon request, the instructor provides summary video/audio/pdf materials, as applicable. Your instructor might be available for a brief one-on-one session if necessary and requested.

To improve your communicative skills, we recommend getting in touch with your classmates to practice speaking.

Disclaimer

The content shared by the instructor is for the benefit of the registered students only and not to be shared outside of the class. The instructor reserves the right to change the course program as deemed necessary. The instructor notifies you promptly of any changes via email.