Learn Italian. Discover Italy and the Ticino region of Switzerland

Rialto Bridge, Venice (Saffron Blaze 3.0)

Introduction/Introduzione

This complementary resource for learning more about Italy and its culture is being developed in collaboration with the faculty and students of the Italian Studies Program at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. A well-deserved special note of gratitude goes to Manuela Filomena, formerly of l’Università degli Studi di Perugia.

We use a cultural-tourism approach for the 40 mini-lessons.The first 20 lessons cover the A1-A2 proficiency levels of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Lessons 21-40 cover the B1-B2 proficiency levels of the CEFR.

To learn more about Italian Studies at FAU, see their website: (https://www.fau.edu/artsandletters/llcl/italian/)

Let’s begin by taking a virtual tour

Benvenuti/Welcome

My husband Gabriele and I are thrilled that you can join us on this amazing journey for learning Italian while exploring the beauty of Italy, its people and culture.

Not only will you learn the basics of Italian, la bella lingua, but you will discover the richness of over two millennia of artistic masterpieces .

Walk the ancient ruins of Pompeii and the Colosseum in Rome. Relax on the Spanish Steps and then throw a coin into Trevi Fountain. Climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Go hiking in the Dolomites. Visit the wine-growing regions in Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont and Lombardy.

Meet some famous Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Mantegna and Raphael. Enjoy an opera by Verdi. Listen to ‘the Four Seasons’ by Vivaldi. Learn about what inspired Dante to write ‘the Divine Comedy.’

Receive the Pope’s blessing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Ride a gondola in Venice’s Grand Canal and then relax at Caffè Florian in the Piazza San Marco. Visit the centuries-old cathedrals in Florence and Assisi. Explore the world of fashion in Milan. Attend the Sanremo Music Festival. Enjoy a performance at the ancient Greek theater in Syracuse.

Catch a few rays of sun on Rimini beach. Go diving at the Blue Grotto by the Island of Capri. Take a boat cruise in the Italian Lakes district. Watch a football match or encourage the cyclists competing in the Giro d’Italia. Delight in a spectacular meal in Bologna while learning to prepare some of the most delicious pasta dishes in ‘la cucina italiana.‘

Andiamo. Let’s go. And enjoy the passeggiata.

Mariagiovanna Elmi (un po’di me)

(Italian former Radiotelevisione italiana TV (RAI) announcer, Sanremo music festival host, travel series presenter, journalist, children’s program host (Fantina), actress and singer.)

Mariagiovanna Elmi and Gabriele, Monte Lussari, Tarvisio, Italy (Un po’ di me)

Italiano: la bella lingua

Part A: Learn Italian and experience ‘la Dolce Vita’ (40 lessons)

Part B: La grammatica con il commissario Montalbano/ Italian grammar tips

Part C: Il vocabolario visivo/ Italian visual vocabulary

Part D: Le risorse digitali/ Online resources

Part E: Alcuni italiani famosi/ Some famous Italians

Part F: L’arte italiana/ Italian art

Part G: L’architettura e la scultura italiana/ Italian architecture and sculpture

Part H: La cucina italiana/ Italian cuisine

Part I: La moda italiana/ Italian fashion

Part J: Il mondo italiano/ All about Italy (Bilingual Readings)

Part K: Le attrazioni e le destinazioni principali italiane/ Italy’s Top Tourist Destinations and Attractions (Bilingual)

Part L: Le attrazioni e le destinazioni principali in Svizzera, nel Canton Ticino/ Top tourist destinations and attractions in Switzerland’s Ticino region (Bilingual)

I nostri partner nell’apprendimento dell’italiano/ Our partners in learning Italian

Meet our valued educational, non-governmental and corporate Partners in Italian Learning