Italian Language and Literature (in Language Schools) Schools and Programs in Italy

Italian Language and Literature (in Language Schools) Studies in Italy

Learning Italian in Italy usually means a course at a private language school for foreigners. Many of these schools have taught Italian for decades, in cities such as Florence, Rome and Milan and in smaller towns and coastal resorts. Courses run all year and accept beginners as well as advanced learners. The two Universities for Foreigners, in Perugia and Siena, also run Italian courses open all year, independent of their degree programmes.

SpainExchange lists 28 language schools in Italy that teach Italian. Most are in Florence (5), Rome (3) and Milan (3). Others are in Taormina, Perugia, Rimini, Pisa, Genoa and small towns in Tuscany, the Marche, Calabria and Sardinia.

What the schools offer

Courses follow the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2. New students take a placement test, as at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, and at schools such as Il Centro in Milan students who are not beginners can start any Monday. The core product is a group course, with options by intensity. Dilit International House in Rome, for example, offers group courses of 15, 20 or 30 lessons a week. Lesson length varies by school: at Il Centro in Milan a lesson lasts 60 minutes, at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia 50 minutes.

Besides general Italian, schools offer:

• one-to-one and combined group and individual courses
• Italian for business and other professional fields
• language combined with culture, such as art, cooking, wine or opera
• preparation for Italian language exams (CILS, CELI, PLIDA)
• preparation courses for students who plan to enrol at an Italian university
• B1 courses for applicants for Italian citizenship
• training for teachers of Italian (for example, DITALS)

Several schools have a long history: Centro Machiavelli in Florence has taught since 1978, Koinè Center was founded in Florence in 1980, ABC School has worked in Florence since 1982, Centro Studi Italiani in Urbania welcomed its first international students in 1985-86, Comitato Linguistico in Perugia and Il Centro in Milan date from 1986, and Tiberius International in Rimini from 1994.

Italian language certificates

Three certificates are widely used, and many schools prepare students for them or act as exam centres:

• CILS, the certificate of Italian as a foreign language of the Università per Stranieri di Siena
• CELI, from the certification centre (CVCL) of the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, which has certified Italian since 1987
• PLIDA, from the Società Dante Alighieri, with exams from level A1 to C2

Examples: Dilit is an exam centre for CELI and CILS, Tiberius International and Comitato Linguistico for CILS and DITALS, ABC School for CILS, and Ciao Italia in Rome for PLIDA. A certificate is useful for university admission. Universitaly, the portal of the Ministry of Universities and Research, notes that each institution tests applicants' Italian, and foundation programmes aim at level B2.

Some schools state that they are authorised or recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education (Dilit, Tiberius International and ABC School, among others) or belong to associations such as ASILS. These are the schools' own statements.

Costs

Prices depend on the city, the intensity and the season. Some examples from the schools' own fee lists:

• Dilit International House, Rome: group course with 20 lessons a week, €260 for one week and €880 for four weeks (2026 fees)
• Ciao Italia, Rome: four-week standard group course, €655 plus a €45 enrolment fee (€590 with an autumn 2026 discount)
• Università per Stranieri di Perugia: four-week course at levels A1 to B2, 18 hours a week, €540

Accommodation is not included in these prices; schools such as Dilit list their accommodation options separately.

Visa for a language course

Citizens of EU and EFTA countries do not need a visa. Students from other countries who need a study visa for an Italian language course must have an acceptance letter from the school. According to Universitaly, the letter must state the duration of the course, the number of hours and the place where it takes place. Applicants should check the exact requirements with the Italian consulate responsible for their place of residence.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I learn Italian in Italy?

Schools are spread across the country. The largest groups in the SpainExchange list are in Florence, Rome and Milan, and there are also schools in Perugia, Rimini, Taormina and smaller towns on the coast and the islands.

How much does an Italian course in Italy cost?

As a guide, a four-week group course costs €540 to €880 at the examples above (2026 prices), without accommodation. Intensive and individual courses cost more.

Which Italian certificate should I take?

CILS (Siena), CELI (Perugia) and PLIDA (Società Dante Alighieri) cover levels A1 to C2. Check which one your university or employer accepts; many schools prepare for all three.

Can I get a student visa for an Italian course?

Non-EU students can apply for a study visa with an acceptance letter from the school that states the course length, hours and location. The consulate decides on the application.