ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES
Winter Language Courses, 2026
Learn the language of "la dolce vita" with our native Italian-speaking Instructors.
Whether you are new to the Italian language, totally fluent, or everything in between we are delighted to welcome you. No matter what your goals are for learning Italian: business, travel, pleasure, or because you love the sound of this beautiful language and would like to understand it better, we offer a variety of classes throughout the year that may meet your needs. For B1 certification requirement and exam you can refer to Istituto Italiano di cultura di San Francisco.
All our classes are conducted in Italian by instructors who are university qualified native speakers. These instructors provide training in all basic communication skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, with a systematic study of grammar.
The Winter Session starts the week of January 12, 2026. Registration for classes will close Friday, January 9. Sign up by December 12, 2025 and receive the discounted Early Bird pricing.
The Zoom link for online classes will be sent to students registered and paid in full. In the event that a class does not reach a minimum enrollment, it will be canceled and students will be offered a full-refund or an opportunity to move to another class.
Students will need to purchase required text unless specified that the instructor will provide. The primary grammar textbook "Italian: A Self-teaching Guide 3rd edition, by Illaria Serra, Edoardo Lébano" which can be ordered from BookShop Santa Cruz (arrives within 2-14 days) or can be found online. A Self-teaching Guide by Edoardo LébanoA Self-teaching Guide by Edoardo Lébano
See our MEMBERSHIP PAGE to renew or become a new member
A DISCOUNT CODE WILL BE OFFERED TO MEMBERS FOR ALL CLASSES!
*contact us prior to registration to get the discount code*
Starts Jan 26, 2026
295 US dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jan 12, 2026
295 US dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jan 12, 2026
295 US dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jan 12, 2026
295 US dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jan 14, 2026
190 US dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jan 13, 2026
245 US dollarsLoading availability...
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Class reviews from students:
" È importante per me condividere la mia gratitudine e ringraziarti per le nostre lezioni in italiano. Mi hai aiutato a crescere in molti modi e mi hai aiutato a migliorare il mio italiano. Le lezioni a volte erano impegnative ma sempre divertenti. Grazie per averci fatto parlare e imparare in italiano. È un regalo per me. Sei un’insegnante fantastica. Voglio ringraziarti molto e spero che un giorno potrò dirtelo senza doverlo leggere."
- review from Laboratorio student
"If you are looking for a practical, useful, and fun Italian language course, I cannot recommend Francesca and the Dante Society enough. I have been using Duolingo every day for nearly three years, and while this helped with vocabulary, I never felt confident speaking with others. This class helped me feel more comfortable with real-life dialogue; I am less scared to talk with my husband's family when we visit them in Italy this summer! I am very excited to continue learning Italian with Francesca and the Dante Society! "
- review from Beginning Italian student
Online Class Schedule Fall 2020
Beginning Italian
Beginning Italian
(CEF A1.1 as per the Common European Framework Reference)
Course Description
This is a beginner-friendly introduction to the Italian language. Whether you are interested in enhancing your Italian travel experiences, connecting deeper with Italian food or culture, being able to speak with Italian friends or family, or in challenging yourself in a new way, there is a welcoming, low-stress place for you in this class. This course is designed to give you a strong grounding in the basics of this beautiful language while also giving you the chance to start speaking right away.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Intermediate Italian
(CEF A1.2 as per the Common European Framework Reference)
Course Description
This course is best suited for learners who have mastered the basics and want to deepen their understanding. Its objective is to further develop students' competency in writing, reading and oral communication. Students will refine the use of verbs, grammar and idiomatic expressions, increase vocabulary and speak with greater confidence.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Advanced Italian
Advanced Italian
Course Description
This course will deepen students’ knowledge of Italian language by learning more complex grammatical structures such as the impersonal construction, the comparative and superlative, the conditional, gerund, past perfect and subjunctive tenses, and a richer vocabulary. The teacher will put particular emphasis on conversation and listening comprehension.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Advanced Italian 2
Advanced Italian 2
Course Description
This course will cover the more complex grammar structures, such as: hypothetical sentence, passive construction, pronominal verbs, “verbi causativi”- make/let/have/get, additional use of subjunctive, and “passato/ trapassato remoto”, that correspond to the last two chapters of the text book. Furthermore, students will be engaged in conversation - with help/support from the instructor. Students need to have taken an advanced level class or Advanced 1.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Advanced Italian 3
Advanced Italian 3
Course Description
Si rivolge a studenti che abbiano completato il corso Advanced 2 o abbiano una buona conoscenza della lingua Italiana. Il corso di due ore, in persona, prevede la lettura di un romanzo di un autore contemporaneo allo scopo di ampliare il vocabolario, la conoscenza di fatti e luoghi locali e stimolare le capacità comunicative, oltre ad un approfondimento grammaticale.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Conversational Italian
Conversational Italian
Course Description
This 8-week in person class is for students who have a good grasp of the Italian language, as students are encouraged to speak only in Italian. This 8 week course is the best way to practice your Italian. It is recommended for all who want to practice together in a friendly group at a comfortable pace. Conversation, pronunciation, idiomatic expressions and vocabulary will be practiced in a fun environment to improve speaking and fluency.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Reading & Practice for Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Students
Reading &
Conversation
Course Description
Each Spring, students at each level will be able to apply what they have learned and practice their Italian reading and conversation skills.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Laboratorio di Italiano / Corso di lettura
(Online Advanced Class)
Laboratorio di Italiano
Course Description
In this course, we will cover a variety of activities to read, speak, and write in Italian at an advanced level*. We will read Italian articles and sections of Italian novels, practice writing and summarizing what we read, conversing, listening and comprehension. We will also listen to Italian music and play games. *Students will need to have already completed an advanced level class prior to taking this course.
Click on the class for full-description and details for this session.
Classes will be a mix of Online Only & In-Person Only.
Please read carefully before selecting the best class for you.
Conversation Class Location:
550 Water Street, Suite A
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Aptos Class Location:
United Methodist Church
221 Thunderbird Dr, Aptos, CA 95003
Capitola Class Location:
620 Capitola Ave, Capitola, CA 95010
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
MIRELLA SAVEGNAGO
was born and raised in Italy and is a graduate in education and psychology from Catholic University, Milan, and is qualified as a teacher in Italy. She has spent many years in marketing and management world-wide, but since she arrived in California in 2017 has been teaching Italian, both to groups and individuals, as well as Italian cooking. She is currently teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes for Dante. She is fluent in English and has studied French, Spanish, and Mandarin. She travels to Italy several times a year where she and her husband Francesco have a home, where her son lives. Her daughter is a UC Davis. graduated. If students have concerns about ability levels, feel free to contact this instructor.
FRANCESCA
BENINI
was born and raised in Verona, Italy. She moved to the USA in 1998 with her husband, who is from Bologna, and their daughter. She has been teaching Italian and Italian cooking classes in every city she and her family have lived in the U.S. These include: Cincinnati, Ohio-Amici School, Santa Cruz, California-Dante Alighieri Society, Jacksonville, Florida-University of North Florida Continuing Education, and Melbourne, Florida and Irvine, California, her current home, where she conducted private classes. Francesca travels to Italy several times per year to see her family and friends. Her daughter is a student at the George Washington D.C.Law School. Francesca enjoys reading historical non-fiction and biographies, cooking, and playing mahjong. If students have questions, feel free to contact her.
BARBARA
GRAMAZIO
PEARSON
Barbara, born and raised in Rome, Italy, has a diverse cultural background with an Italian father and a Scottish mother. During her time in Italy, she studied Latin, Greek, and French, and taught English to Italians. After moving to California in 1991, Barbara expanded her language skills by learning Spanish and teaching Italian at Pasadena City College. She also contributed to an Italian immersion program for the Glendale Unified School District and offered private Italian lessons.
With a degree in Communication Studies and experience in advertising and real estate, Barbara appreciates different cultures and languages and loves meeting new people. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their two grown children, traveling, reading and walking their dog Cooper.
IRENE
BARGETTO
has been teaching the Dante Conversational Italian class since 2009. Irene was born and raised in Chieri, Piemonte, Italy, where she graduated with a degree in Accounting. She also speaks French and Spanish. Irene returns to Italy every year to visit her family and to keep well connected to her Italian heritage. Over the years, Irene has enjoyed tutoring family members and friends in Italian. She lives in Soquel with her husband, Peter, and their two bilingual children, Simone and Sabrina. Irene is the Business Manager for Santa Cruz Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Group in Santa Cruz and also helps her husband with their business, Soquel Vineyards. If students have concerns about ability levels, feel free to contact this instructor.