Join us for a 6-part series to learn the basics of Italian conversation! 

You must be able to attend all 6 sessions before registering. 

This program is for adults (18+) only.

Day 1 – Benvenuti! Getting Started

Topic Focus: Greetings, introductions, and basic courtesies

• Saying hello/goodbye (Ciao, Buongiorno, Arrivederci)
• Introducing yourself (Mi chiamo…, Piacere!)
• Asking 'How are you?' and responding (Come stai?, Bene, così così)
• Cultural etiquette in greetings (formal vs. informal 'you')

Activity: Pair introductions; “Italian name tag” icebreaker

Regional Spotlight: Lazio (Rome)

• Italian as the national language; history of Standard Italian from Tuscan roots
• Roman greeting customs & body language

Day 2 – Ordering Like a Local

Topic Focus: Food, drink, and café culture

• Ordering in a café/restaurant (Vorrei…, Per favore, Il conto, grazie)
• Common food/drink vocabulary (espresso, pasta types, gelato flavors)
• Polite phrases when interacting with servers

Activity: Café role-play using printed menus

Regional Spotlight: Campania (Naples)

• Pizza Napoletana and espresso culture
• Influence of Neapolitan dialect in casual expressions

Day 3 – Getting Around

Topic Focus: Directions, transportation, and asking for help

• How to ask where something is (Dov’è…?, Come arrivo a…?)
• Understanding simple directional words (a destra, a sinistra, diritto)
• Vocabulary for public transport (stazione, biglietto, autobus, treno)

Activity: Map navigation role-play

Regional Spotlight: Veneto (Venice)

• Vaporetto (water bus) culture and Venetian expressions
• Italian vs. Venetian dialect: examples of unique words

Day 4 – Talking About Yourself

Topic Focus: Personal details, family, and heritage

• Saying where you’re from (Sono di…, Vengo da…)
• Talking about family members (madre, padre, fratello, sorella)
• Heritage connections (My parents/grandparents are from…)

Activity: “Family Tree in Italian” mini-project

Regional Spotlight: Sicilia (Sicily)

• Sicilian immigration history to the U.S.
• Sicilian influence on Italian-American words and food names

Day 5 – Shopping & Markets

Topic Focus: Buying things, numbers, and bargaining basics

• Asking for prices (Quanto costa?, Quanto costano?)
• Numbers 1–20 for prices and counting items
• Common shopping phrases (Posso vedere…?, Lo prendo)

Activity: Market simulation with price tags & fake euros

Regional Spotlight: Toscana (Florence)

• Open-air markets and artisan crafts
• Tuscan pronunciation quirks ('c' pronounced like 'h' in some words)

Day 6 – Planning & Socializing

Topic Focus: Making plans and invitations

• Asking 'Do you want to…?' (Vuoi…?, Ti va di…?)
• Saying days of the week, time expressions
• Accepting/declining invitations politely

Activity: Partner activity: plan a weekend trip in Italian

Regional Spotlight: Lombardia (Milan)

• Milanese aperitivo tradition
• Fashion and socializing customs in Northern Italy