Book Club

What is the Book Club about?
A perfect way to read (naturally!), converse, and improve your Italian overall, the Book Club will be dedicated to Italian literature. The Club will discuss the most interesting and famous Italian authors and their works, from classics to modern and contemporary books. Each session will deal with a different writer/period, and excerpts, or the entire book, will be read in advance. There will also be activities to improve on your vocabulary, grammar, listening and speaking skills.

What is the session about?
This Book Club session will be dedicated to Grande Meraviglia by Viola Ardone. Set in Naples in the 1980s, the novel explores the delicate and complex bond that forms between Doctor Meraviglia, and Elba, a teenager who has spent most of his life in a psychiatric hospital. The story offers a powerful reflection on the meaning of care, trauma, and second chances, revealing the emotional legacy of Italy’s mental health institutions in the years following the Basaglia Law.

What will we cover?
L’incontro sarà dedicato al romanzo Grande Meraviglia di Viola Ardone, una storia intensa e toccante ambientata nell’Italia degli anni Ottanta. Il romanzo segue il Dottor Meraviglia, psichiatra che si occupa di accompagnare fuori dall’ospedale psichiatrico una bambina “dimenticata”, Elba. Attraverso questo incontro nasce un legame inatteso, fatto di fragilità, scoperta e resistenza.
Con uno stile delicato e profondo, Ardone affronta temi come la salute mentale, la genitorialità, il bisogno di appartenenza e il potere trasformativo delle relazioni umane. La narrazione alterna punti di vista e registri linguistici diversi, offrendo numerosi spunti per discutere la lingua, la psicologia dei personaggi e le trasformazioni sociali nell’Italia recente.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The Book Club is entirely in Italian and you should have an intermediate/advanced knowledge of Italian.

Dates & Time
(bimonthly, last Sunday): June, September, November

Fee
£26 (1½ hours)

Book Club 29 June 2025, 15:30 - 17:00

Italian through Art

This workshop seeks to offer the opportunity to improve knowledge of Italian Art and language (if you know or study Italian) through art and visual stimuli and bespoke didactic material. The workshop is suitable to everybody as it will be given both in Italian and in English.

Dates: (bimonthly, second Sunday): June, September, November 

Next date: TBC

I Giardini dell’Antichità This workshop will analyse the evolution of the garden in the ancient world, particularly in Rome: gardens were considered places of leisure and peace, and their representation was not only a beautiful sight but could improve intellectual and spiritual development or even reflect the glory of the emperor. Level: For all levels. Students will be grouped according to their knowledge of Italian. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English.

Fee: £26

Please contact us for further information.

5 Lessons of Italian History of Art (Online)

Join our weekly workshop and enhance your understanding of Italian History of Art and language through visual stimuli and bespoke didactic material. This five-week course is suitable for everyone and will be conducted in both Italian and English, making it accessible to all participants. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a language learner, this five-session workshop offers a unique opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Italian art and culture.

Arte Etrusca: Explore the rich and mysterious world of Etruscan art, its origins, and its influence on later Italian culture.
Arte Romana I: Delve into the grandeur of early Roman art, from Republic to Empire, examining iconic works and architectural marvels.
Arte Romana II: Continue the journey through Roman art, focusing on the later periods and the integration of various cultural influences.
Arte Paleocristiana: Discover the early Christian art that emerged as a new religious identity formed, with its unique symbols and styles.
Arte Bizantina: Experience the splendour of Byzantine art, known for its intricate mosaics, religious iconography, and lasting impact on the Italian artistic heritage.

Dates: TBC
Time: 10:00-11:30

Level: For all levels. Students will be grouped according to their knowledge of Italian. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English.

Fee: £28

Please contact us for further information.

Italian Cinema Club (online)

The Italian Club invites you to familiarise with the main historical, cultural and social aspects of Italian filmmaking by looking at the work of some of its most influential authors/actors/directors.

Dates (bimonthly, third Saturday): May, July, October

Next date: 17th May 2025 11:45-12:45

What is the session about? This Film Club session will focus on Smetto quando voglio by Sydney Sibilia, a sharp and entertaining Italian comedy that blends crime, satire, and social commentary. The film follows a group of brilliant but underpaid academics who, struggling to make ends meet, decide to apply their knowledge to the illegal production and distribution of smart drugs. What starts as a seemingly harmless venture quickly spirals out of control, leading to absurd and unpredictable consequences. With its witty dialogues and dynamic storytelling, Smetto quando voglio offers an ironic critique of Italy’s economic crisis and the struggles of the intellectual class. What will we cover? L’incontro sarà dedicato al film Smetto quando voglio di Sydney Sibilia, una commedia intelligente che mescola il genere crime con la satira sociale. Il film racconta la storia di Pietro Zinni, un ricercatore universitario disoccupato che, insieme a un gruppo di brillanti ex accademici, decide di entrare nel mondo della produzione di droghe sintetiche. Quello che inizia come un piano geniale per sfruttare le loro competenze scientifiche si trasforma presto in un'avventura caotica e surreale. Attraverso un linguaggio ironico e uno stile dinamico, il film affronta temi attuali come la precarietà lavorativa, la fuga dei cervelli e il valore della conoscenza nella società contemporanea. Durante la discussione, analizzeremo le scene più emblematiche, il carattere dei protagonisti e il messaggio sociale del film, confrontandolo con altre opere cinematografiche che trattano la crisi del lavoro e il disagio giovanile in Italia.

Fee:  £21

Cinema Club 17 May 2025 11:45-12:45

Italian on Foot (face-to-face conversation session)

Practise your Italian in the most natural way possible. 40 minutes of this 1 hour session will be spent talking in Italian with your teacher, whilst you stop in front of shops, parks and gardens (according to where the tour takes place) and of course at an Italian bar where you will carry on conversing over a coffee and recap all what you have learnt without effort with your specialised tutor. What better than this? Small groups or individually (all levels, apart from absolute Beginners).

Dates (once a term): 5 July 2025
Time: 11:00-12:00

Level: For all levels except absolute Beginners

Fee: £24 (in small groups) or ask for individual fees.

Please contact us for more information.

Breaking News!

Unlock the power of discussing current events in Italian! This exciting course is your gateway to enhancing your vocabulary, refining your listening and speaking skills, and staying abreast of Italian affairs.

In our Breaking News Conversation Classes, you will:

• Broaden Your Vocabulary: Explore the latest headlines, political developments, cultural trends, and more. You'll learn essential vocabulary and phrases for discussing diverse topics.
• Sharpen Your Listening Skills: Engage in live discussions and analyse real-time news broadcasts. Improve your comprehension and become a more attentive listener.
• Hone Your Speaking Skills: Participate actively in thought-provoking conversations. Practice articulating your thoughts and opinions in Italian, boosting your confidence in speaking.
• Stay Updated with Italian Affairs: Gain a deep understanding of Italy's current events and culture. Be well-informed and ready to converse about contemporary topics.

Breaking News Sunday 18 May 2025 10:00-11:00

Breaking News Saturday 31 May 2025 10:00-11:00

Breaking News Sunday 8 June 2025 10:00-11:00

Breaking News Saturday 14 June 2025 10:00-11:00

All 4 sessions

Grammar Workshop

If you feel you could benefit from concentrating on Italian grammar, this course can put the finishing touches to your spoken and written skills. Learn how to avoid errors, and raise your overall level of communication. This is a great opportunity to firm up on your Italian grammar and consolidate your Italian language studies!

What will be covered?
In 1½ hours, we will try to cover the main topics of the grammar for your level, troubleshooting the most tricky areas and errors. Can we succeed in this heroic adventure? Come and find out!

NOTE: You are welcome to take more than one level on the same day.

Beginner 1+, 10:00-11:30
Agreement adjectives & nouns, definitive articles singular & plural, regular & irregular verbs.

Beginner 2 & 3, 12:00-13:30
Passato prossimo (present perfect), reflexives verbs. Regular and irregular verbs.

Advanced 1 & 2, 12:30-14:00
Dislocazione a destra e a sinistra dei pronomi.

Intermediate 1, 2, & 3, 13:30-15:00
Imperfect vs. Present Perfect.

Pre-Advanced 1, 2, & 3, 15:00-16:30
Prepositions with verbs and nouns

Date: TBC

Level: For all levels
Fee for an individual session: £26

Please contact us for more information

Italian Through the Cities in Italy (online)

If you can't travel to Italy, we'll bring Italy to you. Whether you're eager to explore a region you plan to visit in the future or deepen your knowledge of your favourite Italian cities, this class is the perfect choice. Let's explore the life, food, curiosities, traditions, culture, and history of the Italian cities (known and unknown) through the eyes and experiences of a tutor who is originally from the region or has a strong connection to it.

Given in Italian and English, this special workshop is for everybody. Just come along to absorb La Dolce Vita, il Bel Paese and la Divina Lingua.

Cities of the Piemonte, Umbria, Valle d’Aosta, Trentino Alto Adige and Lazio regions will be the upcoming jewels to be discovered.

Dates (bimonthly, first Sunday):June, September, November
Time: 15:30-16:30
Level: For all levels. Students will be grouped according to their knowledge of Italian. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English.

Fee: £21

Please contact us for further information.

Dates (bimonthly, first Friday): July, October
Time: 18:30-19:30

Level: For all levels. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English.
Fee: £21

Writing Workshop

Improve your written Italian

The small group sessions will exclusively focus on written Italian. Each session is charged for 1 hour, half an hour of which will be spent with a tutor to work on pre-task activities, explore the building blocks of good writing and spelling exercises ("ortografia"). In each Zoom meeting the tutor will assign a different essay for the students to write at home and which will be individually corrected (hence the other 30 minutes of the hour). The tutor will help to identify areas for writing and structure development, with corrections and explanation of any grammar/spelling mistakes to enrich your vocabulary.

The essays will deal with different types of writing (creative writing, letters/emails, stories, reviews) and will be an invaluable help for CILS exam candidates, GCSE & A' level Italian students, or simply for anybody who likes to write and knows they would benefit from language inputs and advice to write in a foreign language.

Also the following aspects will be dealt with: Punctuation & Spelling

Improve your written Italian for exams – Special Edition

Especially ideal for all CILS candidates who would like to improve their written skills and get familiarised with the written part of the CILS exams, the workshop will focus on past papers practice and how to compose and address written complaints, job applications and request information in Italian. Also the following aspects will be dealt with:

• Paragraph structure
• Proofreading
• Adding variety to your sentences.

1 Title, 2 aims, 2 dates

A gastronomic journey through Italy, its culture and its history. 6 meetings on the History of Italian Food and Cooking.

From Tirami su to Pastiera, from Grana Padano to Cotoletta alla Milanese from Pizza to Gelato, from Neapolitan Babà to Lombard Panettone, we're about to take an exciting journey through the culinary wonders of Italy. From the exquisite wines of Veneto to the delectable sweets of Sicily, we'll guide you through a flavourful exploration. Each lesson will delve into the historical context, taking you on a virtual tour of Italy's rich food and wine heritage. With captivating stories, fascinating titbits, vivid images, and lively language, you're in for a mouthwatering experience that will transport you to Italy's glorious past. Get ready to discover that in Italy, cuisine is more than just food – it's a rich tapestry of culture and history that's sure to make your taste buds tingle!

Speaker and tutor: Samuele MacFadden

Fee:  £21

Please contact us for further information.