ONLINE CLASS: Italian Language – Italian for Tourists

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Traveling in Italy is an unforgettable experience: art, history, cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes make this country a unique destination. To fully enjoy your stay, it’s important to know some basic Italian phrases, useful for everyday communication, getting around, and making the most of the local attractions. This elementary course is specially designed for tourists who want to learn the most important expressions and feel more confident during their time in Italy.

The weekly classes are online via Zoom.  Your instructor will be zooming in from his home in Milano.  Expect lots of speaking practice, travel tips, and cultural gems to help you feel like you’ve already booked your ticket to Rome, Florence, and beyond. We’ll have fun pretending we are in Italy, practicing basic phrases, and maybe even learning some of those all-important hand gestures that every Italian uses.

If you have to miss a class, no problem! Each session will be recorded and sent to you after the class, so you can review the lessons at your own pace or catch up.

Class enrollment will be limited to facilitate conversation and interaction with the instructor and among the students.

Whether you’re planning a trip, dreaming of one, or just want to learn Italian in a relaxed, social way, this class is “perfetto” for you!

Fundamental Lessons

In this course, you’ll build a solid foundation in Italian, starting with the essentials for everyday interactions. You’ll learn how to confidently greet people with a friendly “Buongiorno!” (Good morning) or “Ciao!” (Hi/Bye), and introduce yourself by saying “Mi chiamo…” (My name is…), and ask someone’s name or where they’re from with phrases like “Come ti chiami?” and “Di dove sei?”

Next, we’ll focus on navigating the streets of Italy with ease. You’ll practice asking “Dove si trova…?” (Where is…?), finding out “Quanto costa il biglietto?” (How much is the ticket?), or even saying “Sto cercando questa via” (I’m looking for this street) when you’re a bit turned around.

We’ll also cover hotel-related vocabulary so you can check in smoothly by saying “Ho una prenotazione” (I have a reservation), ask “A che ora è il check-out?” (What time is check-out?), or request “Potrei avere un asciugamano extra?” (May I have an extra towel?).

Dining out? You’ll be able to book a table with “Vorrei prenotare un tavolo”, request the menu (“Il menù, per favore”), and ask “Cosa mi consiglia?” (What do you recommend?) to try something new. You’ll also learn how to say “Sono vegetariano/a” if you have dietary preferences, and of course, how to ask for the bill: “Il conto, per favore.”

When it comes to shopping, you’ll be ready to ask “Quanto costa?” (How much is it?), try things on (“Posso provare questo?”), and find the right size by saying “Avete una taglia più grande?” (Do you have a larger size?).

We’ll also cover essential phrases for emergencies and health, like “Aiuto!” (Help!), “Non mi sento bene” (I don’t feel well), or “Ho perso il mio passaporto” (I’ve lost my passport), so you’re never caught off guard.

Finally, you’ll pick up useful everyday expressions such as “Per favore” (Please), “Grazie” (Thank you), and “Parla inglese?” (Do you speak English?), helping you navigate any conversation with politeness and ease, even when your Italian isn’t perfect yet.

Basic Vocabulary

In this section, you’ll build up essential Italian words and phrases for everyday use. You’ll learn how to talk about time with words like oggi (today), domani (tomorrow), and ieri (yesterday), along with parts of the day such as mattina (morning), sera (evening), and notte (night). We’ll also cover numbers from uno to dieci, plus helpful terms like settimana (week), mese (month), ora (hour), and minuto (minute). Simple words like sì (yes) and no (no) will keep conversations flowing.

You’ll get practical tips for navigating Italian culture, like the importance of greeting people with a quick “buongiorno”, how to politely ask “Parla inglese?”, and understanding how restaurant service charges work. In case of emergencies, you’ll know that Italy’s emergency number is 112.

We’ll also reinforce your learning through fun dialogues, checking in at a hotel, ordering at a restaurant, asking for directions, or shopping. You’ll practice phrases like “I’d like a margherita pizza,” “Where is the Colosseum?” and “Could you take a photo, please?”

By the end of this section, you’ll have a solid vocabulary foundation, feel more comfortable using Italian in common situations, and be better prepared for authentic travel experiences.