Italian Beginners (A1)
Course Overview
Discover the joy of learning Italian through engaging lessons and practical conversations, laying a solid foundation for your language skills.
A course for those who have competed at least 1 term (16 hours) of Italian.
The focus will be on language in everyday situations, useful vocabulary and grammar and some cultural immersion. The course is enriched with audio-visual resources to consolidate the concepts presented and to discover cultural aspects of Italy. Students start speaking Italian from day one, practicing what they learn through role plays and conversation in class.
If you’re interested in traveling to Italy, sharpening your cognitive skills, improving your memory, increasing your understanding of the Italian culture, or just having fun, begin your journey here!
In a relaxed and fun environment, mistakes are used as a tool to learn. Friendships are built and community is celebrated in a vibrant and joyful space.
Course Breakdown
This outline provides an overview of what may be covered during the course; however, changes may occur based on various factors and the needs of the class.
Week 1
Revision of the material previously covered.
Week 2
Grammar/Language: Introduction to parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, articles, pronouns, etc.).
Week 3
At the hotel.
Grammar/Language: Booking and asking for information; prices, complaining; c’è/ci sono; verbs potere and venire.
Cultural topic: types of accommodations.
Week 4
Apartments and rentals.
Grammar/Language: Renting and explaining choices; prepositions of time da... a; articulated prepositions.
Cultural topic: room furnishing and objects in the room.
Week 5
Months and ordinal numbers / Cardinal numbers from 100 / Quanto / Dates Grammar/Language: Months, ordinal numbers, cardinal numbers from 100; quanto; expressing the date
Cultural topic: Italian holidays and celebrations – birthdays, name days, national holidays, local festivals.
Week 6
Describing places and giving information
Grammar/Language: Describing a place and a route; asking for information and reacting; expressing regret and apologizing; directing someone to other people.
Cultural topic: Famous Italian landmarks and routes – squares, monuments, giving directions in cities.
Week 7
Opening hours and directions
Grammar/Language: Talking about opening and closing times; giving directions; C’è un ...? / Dov’è il ...?; asking the time (A che ora ...?)
Cultural topic: Shops, museums, and public transport – opening hours, daily routines, and using public services.
Week 8
Grammar and adjectives
Grammar/Language: Agreement of adjectives with nouns; use of molto; verbs dovere and sapere; interrogatives quando and quale.
Cultural topic: Italian food, fashion, and music – describing dishes, clothing styles, and songs using adjectives.
Term Dates
Term 1 runs on Monday 3 February to Monday 24 March
Term 2 runs on Monday 28 April to Monday 23 June
Term 3 runs on Monday 28 July to Monday 15 September
Term 4 runs on Monday 13 October to Monday 1 December
Course outcomes
- Use basic Italian grammar and vocabulary correctly in simple sentences.
- Communicate in everyday situations, such as booking a hotel, describing places and apartments, asking for directions, and talking about dates and times.
- Apply key grammatical structures, including articles, verbs (potere, venire, dovere, sapere),prepositions, and adjective agreement.
- Recognise and use vocabulary related to Italian culture, including holidays, food, fashion, music, landmarks, and daily routines.
- Understand and participate in simple conversations, ask and answer questions, and express basic preferences and opinions.
Recommended book:
Recommended book “Nuovo Espresso 1", textbook/workbook (abbeys.com.au or amazon.com).
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About the tutor
Sophia Emmanuello
Born in the Eternal City, Sophia is a Montessori teacher with a degree in Oriental Languages and Cultures.
During her study and research travels in Asia, she developed an educational outlook enriched by diverse cultural perspectives.
Over the past several years, she has taught Italian both as a first and second language, to children and adults in Italy and abroad.
These experiences have shaped a flexible and respectful teaching approach, informed by Montessori principles and grounded in a deep curiosity for global educational philosophies.
She applies the Montessori method to teaching Italian, fostering autonomy, curiosity, and active engagement in every learner.
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