EducationItaly

Italian courses and language certificates

Corsi di italiano e certificazioni linguistiche

Free courses at CPIAs, courses at associations and universities for foreigners, and CILS, CELI, PLIDA and Cert.IT certificates.

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Overview

Learning Italian is the most important key to integration, work and dealing with administrations and school. And in Italy there are many options suiting budgets: free courses at adult education centres (CPIA), voluntary classes at associations (ARCI, Caritas, ACLI, San Egidio and Giroscopio) and in libraries, mosques and churches, and paid courses at language schools and at the Società Dante Alighieri and the universities dedicated to foreigners (Siena, Perugia and Roma Tre).

And there are recognised certificates (CILS, CELI, PLIDA and Cert.IT) requested for long-term residence, citizenship and university study. This guide compares these options, explains free courses, CEFR levels, how to choose and prepare for the exam, self-learning resources, and studying at university.

1

Free courses and associations

The biggest source of free courses is the CPIA centres in every province, and they offer levels from illiteracy and pre-A1 to A2 and B1.

  • Register with the passport and residence permit, and admission is available almost all year according to places.
  • Associations such as ARCI, Caritas, ACLI and CIR and volunteer groups offer courses in the evening and at weekends, some with childcare.
  • And municipal libraries organise a conversazione, that is free conversation and language exchange.
  • And the Casa del Cittadino programme or social services give information on the nearest.
  • And universities sometimes offer free courses for asylum seekers.
  • Free courses are excellent but may be crowded, so try to complement them with daily practice.
  • And enrol in more than one course if your time allows.
2

Paid courses and major schools

The Società Dante Alighieri organises courses in hundreds of centres in Italy and abroad, and grants the PLIDA certificate.

  • The universities for foreigners (Università per Stranieri di Siena and Perugia) and Roma Tre University offer intensive summer and annual courses, with the CILS, CELI and Cert.IT certificates.
  • And there are private language schools in big cities at prices ranging between three hundred and eight hundred euros for a monthly course, and online private lessons at an hourly price between ten and thirty euros, and platforms such as italki and Preply.
  • Choose an accredited school and check student reviews.
  • And some employers pay part of vocational courses, and grants are offered for some categories (refugees and foreign students), so ask.
  • And confirm the class hours and number of students.
3

Levels and recognised certificates

The European reference framework (CEFR) adopts six levels: A1 and A2 (beginner), B1 and B2 (intermediate), and C1 and C2 (advanced).

  • You need A2 for long-term residence, B1 for citizenship, and B2 often for university or some professions.
  • The main certificates are CILS (University for Foreigners of Siena), CELI (University for Foreigners of Perugia), PLIDA (Dante Alighieri) and Cert.IT (Roma Tre), all recognised by the state and universities.
  • The exams include listening, reading, writing and speaking, and are organised in set periods, and cost roughly one hundred to three hundred euros.
  • The certificate is usually valid without expiry but some bodies may request a recent one.
  • Choose the most suitable according to the centre, exam date and price, since all are practically equal.
4

How to choose and prepare

Define your goal: work, study, citizenship or daily life.

  • Take a free placement test at a CPIA or on associations' websites.
  • Choose a course with a schedule that suits your work and nearby transport.
  • Practise on the exam samples published on the CILS, CELI and PLIDA websites, and record your voice while speaking.
  • Set a fixed daily hour for study.
  • Focus on listening and speaking since they are the hardest.
  • Learn words every day with a flashcard app, and watch RAI news and simplified programmes (RAI Scuola) with subtitles, and listen to podcasts in simple Italian.
  • Write a simple diary daily.
  • And ask your colleagues and neighbours to correct your mistakes without embarrassment.
  • And remember that mistakes are a natural part of learning.
5

Self-learning and university study

Alongside courses, use free apps and websites: the Italiano per stranieri platform and the books Nuovo Espresso, Facile, Dieci and Progetto Italiano and YouTube channels such as Learn Italian with Lucrezia and ItalianoAutomatico.

  • And the sites Italiano in Famiglia and Rai Play offer simplified materials.
  • For those wanting university study a B2 or C1 certificate is often accepted, and entrance tests are sometimes requested, and Italian universities offer programmes in English.
  • Ask about DSU and ADISU grants for those with low income covering fees and housing.
  • And refugees can get special pathways via the UNICORE programme.
  • And join conversation groups (tandem) and volunteer programmes to practise the language in real life and meet people.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Define your goal and level through a placement test.

  2. 2

    Enrol in a free CPIA course or an association course.

  3. 3

    Set aside a daily hour for study and practice.

  4. 4

    Join a conversation or language exchange group.

  5. 5

    Choose a certificate (CILS, CELI or PLIDA) and register early.

  6. 6

    Practise the exam samples before the date.

Documents checklist

  • Passport and residence permit for registration.
  • A photo for registration sometimes.
  • Course or exam fee receipt.
  • The previous level certificate if any.
  • ISEE to request grants or discounts.

Key vocabulary

  • ilcorso
    course
  • lalezione
    lesson
  • illivello
    level
  • l'esame
    exam
  • ilcertificato
    certificate
  • lostudente
    student
  • gratuito
    free
  • iscriversi
    to enrol
  • parlare
    to speak
  • imparare
    to learn
  • l'errore
    mistake

Useful phrases

  • Vorrei imparare l'italiano.I would like to learn Italian.
  • Parlo un po' di italiano.I speak a little Italian.
  • Può parlare più lentamente, per favore?Can you speak more slowly, please?
  • Come si dice questo in italiano?How do you say this in Italian?
  • Dove posso fare un corso gratuito?Where can I take a free course?
  • Non ho capito, può ripetere?I did not understand, can you repeat?

At the Italian course

  • Insegnante

    Buonasera a tutti. Come vi chiamate?Good evening everyone. What are your names?

  • Tu

    Buonasera. Mi chiamo Karim e vengo dal Marocco.Good evening. My name is Karim and I come from Morocco.

  • Insegnante

    Benvenuto, Karim. Da quanto tempo vive in Italia?Welcome, Karim. How long have you lived in Italy?

  • Tu

    Da sei mesi. Parlo poco, ma voglio imparare.For six months. I speak little, but I want to learn.

  • Insegnante

    Bravo! Parli con i vicini ogni giorno.Well done! Speak with your neighbours every day.

  • Tu

    Va bene, grazie. Ci provo.Fine, thank you. I will try.

Common mistakes

  • Limiting yourself to classes without daily practice.
  • Registering for the exam before being ready.
  • Paying large fees to an unaccredited school.
  • Being shy of speaking for fear of mistakes.

Cultural tips

  • Start with CPIA then continue with language exchange.
  • Watch Italian television with Italian subtitles.
  • Note new words every day.
  • Speak with colleagues and neighbours.

Official links

Check yourself

Question 1 of 5

Where do you find free Italian courses?