Italian Language Class FAQs

At Fondazione Italia, we combine high-quality instruction with a deeply personalized, flexible learning experience. Here is how we stand out:

• Small Class Sizes: We cap our classes at just 8 students (with a minimum of 4), ensuring you get direct interaction and a collaborative learning environment.

• Guaranteed Class Continuity: If a class falls short of the minimum enrollment, we convert it into a semi-private format (adjusting the number of lessons) rather than canceling it.

• Personalized Support: Native speaking teachers provide individual feedback by correcting special assignments and answering your class-related questions directly via email.

• Flexible, Dynamic Curriculum: Our teachers tailor content to student needs, including travel and focused topics ahead of holiday seasons, and provide free supplementary materials like articles, stories, quizzes, and extra grammar guides.

• Free & Easy Start: We offer free assessment tests, a seamless online registration process, and direct access to course textbooks tailored to your level.

• Recorded Sessions & Free Materials: Never worry about missing a lesson! For our online adult classes we give students access to recorded classes, and students enjoy no additional costs for non-academic course materials.

• Diverse & Specialized Programs:

  • All Ages & Levels: Programs range from early childhood (starting at age 1) through high school AP test preparation, including shared practice materials for parents.

  • B1 Citizenship Prep: A structured path that guides beginner students from zero knowledge up to the B1 level required for Italian citizenship.

  • Enrichment: Specialized 1-hour cultural and language workshops, plus Latin and Greek courses.

• Convenient & Accommodating: Enjoy in-person classes in a pleasant and inviting setting with ample free parking, a generous cancellation policy, and cultural immersion integrated directly into every lesson.

Currently our Italian language courses for kids and adults are taking place online. In January 2023 we will offer two kids in-person courses in-person in Glendale. Please note that we are based in California so the times for online courses listed on our website reflect Pacific Standard Time.

We currently use the platform Zoom to hold all our online Italian language classes. The teacher and students meet virtually live weekly on the day and time published in our course catalogue. Classes are not pre-recorded. In order to give our students the best ‘classroom’ experience, our teachers are able to share their screen as a whiteboard to project pages from the textbook, display articles, play interactive language quizzes and games, show videos, and lecture

For adults click here to take an assessment test that will help determine which level is right for you. For kids, please contact Lorena Bignamini to discuss which class will be the right fit for your child. If you register for a class for yourself or your child that ends up not being the best fit, you will always have the option to move to a different class.

Yes! Our in person language center in Burbank has ample free parking for all our students.

Absolutely! Send us an email or give us a call to let us know which class you would like to try. As long as a class is not sold-out, you will be sent a link in order to join the class to see if you like it. If after the class you would like to register, we will happily help you take care of enrolling in the class.

For the adult classes ONLY, we record each lesson and then provide students with a link to the recording the day after a class. This is a really great benefit you won’t find with every language school! Receiving a recording of your online class gives students the flexibility to revisit lessons anytime. A fantastic perk if you have to miss a class due to work, illness, travel, or family. Please note that due to laws protecting the privacy of minors, we are unable to provide families with recordings for our children’s online classes.

We recommend that you find a quiet spot to set-up a computer or tablet. You will need a stable internet connection, microphone, and camera (either external or built-in your computer) to receive the full benefit of an online class.

Most of our older children and adult classes do use textbooks. The textbook we use for the adult Beginning to Pre-Intermediate levels is New Italian Espresso 1 (new edition) from Alma Edizioni. The upper-level adult classes from Intermediate to Advanced use New Italian Espresso 2 also from Alma Edizioni. These textbooks are available in e-book or hard copy format. Hard copies can be purchased directly from our bookstore or you can find them online. For our kids classes, please see the "Textbook" tab on the specific class page for the title of the book that will be used.

We are always glad to start a second class if one is sold-out. Just let us know the name of the class you are interested in by sending us an email. As soon as we have enough students to start a new class (minimum of four students), we will do it!

Absolutely! For our children’s Primi Passi and Piccoli Amici classes students are able to join at any time during the session. For our more academic older children’s classes and adults classes, we can accept new students up to mid-way through the course or on a case by case basis. If you join a course late, the course fee will be pro-rated so that you don’t pay for the lessons you missed before joining the class.

You can absolutely enroll! Our Primi Passi class does not require parents to know Italian. In fact, participating in our class with your child is a great way for you to also learn Italian. Parents are encouraged to repeat words in Italian during class and follow the teacher's lead.

YES, we do! We offer private classes (one-on-one) semi-private classes (two students) and private group classes. If you have specific needs, time restrictions, or simply would like to take a class with a group of co-workers, friends, or family, we can arrange a course tailored to your specific needs.

Learn More Here:
Private Lessons

If the class does not meet your expectations, you may request a full refund within 24 hours after the first lesson. After this 24 hour window, and before the second lesson meets in the current session, you may request a credit toward a future class. No refunds or credits can be given after the second lesson meets in the current session, unless the class itself is cancelled. 

Unfortunately, no. We cannot consider employment for a foreign teacher unless they already have the necessary work permit that allows them to work in the United States.

Our school is growing so we are always looking for experienced and motivated Italian teachers. Unfortunately, Fondazione Italia is unable to sponsor work visas. If you already have the necessary employment authorization documents to be able to work in the United States, please send your resumé to Lorena Bignamini at lbignamini@fondazione-italia.org.