For registration updates subscribe to our newsletter here.
The Istituto Italiano di Cultura Toronto offers Italian language courses for every level, from absolute beginner to advanced. We offer courses online as well as in-person at the Istituto at 496 Huron Street. Registration takes place online for all courses and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Our courses are intended for adult learners, we do not offer courses geared to children or teenagers.
Students can enjoy an authentic Italian environment, fostered by the many cultural events organized by the Institute, most of which are free.
We have highly qualified professional teachers with significant experience in teaching Italian as a second language who will assist you in the learning process, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere in the classroom. Class sizes are capped at a maximum of 11 or less allowing for a high student/teacher ratio and the possibility of personal attention. Online courses are live, teacher-led and interactive through the Zoom meeting platform (not webinar) allowing for interaction with the teacher and other students.
Our Italian language courses follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
CEFR Is an international standard for describing language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for Beginners, up to C2 for those who are highly proficient in the language.
Click here and here for more information on competencies at each level.
Courses run ten weeks, classes are small and are competitively priced.
LEVELS AND COURSES
A1 | Beginner Four courses: A1.1 – A1.2 – A1.3 – A1.4
A2 | Elementary Four courses: A2.1 – A2.2 – A2.3 – A2.4
B1 | Intermediate Four courses :B1.1 – B1.2 – B1.3 – B1.4
B2 | Upper Intermediate Three courses: B2.1 – B2.2 – B2.3
C1 | Advanced Three courses: C1.1 – C1.2 – C1.3
C2 | Upper Advanced
Regular courses are composed of 10 classes of 2.5 hours each held once a week for a total of 25 hours of instructions per course. Boutique courses, tutorials, seminars on specific topics may vary in duration, frequency and prices. Details are provided on each course’s registration page.
IMPORTANT: Our courses are intended for recreational purposes only. We do not issue credits, academic certifications or diplomas. Upon request, the office will be pleased to provide a letter of course completion.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
For general course descriptions click here
PRICE:
Early bird special $320
Regular price $340
(Boutique courses may be priced differently)
Please note, the course fees include taxes and a non-refundable $15 administration fee, however courses cancelled by the Istituto are refunded in full.
GENERAL TIME SLOTS (All times are EST/EDT)
Courses are offered during the following time slots
Morning: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Afternoon: 1:30 – 4 pm
Evening: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
PLEASE NOTE: The full list of courses with schedule and the time slots vary from session to session. Course offerings and specific dates and times are finalized just prior the start of each session, therefore they are only available when registration for each session opens.
Course offerings and time slots are not established before that time, therefore we are not in a position to communicate them any earlier than approximately 4 weeks before the start of the session when registration opens online.
SESSION DATES AND REGISTRATION
Fall October to December – registration stars in early September
Winter January to March – registration starts in early December
Spring April to June – registration starts in early March
Summer July to September – registration starts in early June
Registration takes place online and starts once the courses for each session are published, approximately four weeks before the first day of classes. Keep in mind that courses offered vary from session to session and are not listed before registration opens. Specific registration dates are communicated on the website closer to the start of registration. It is advisable to subscribe to the newsletter in order to receive notices about specific registration deadlines. Students should mark registration deadlines on their calendar and set reminders. No registrations will be accepted in courses that are full or past the registration deadline.
Registration is on a first-come first-served basis. Visit the REGISTRATION page to register when registration opens.
PLACEMENT TESTS
New students are requested to take a placement test for an assessment of their level. However, students enrolling in A1.1 Beginners 1 do not need to take the test as there is no prerequisite level for that course. The test is administered online, links to the test are available in the individual course registration pages once they are published at the beginning of registration for each session. Tests are offered only during the registration period for the purposes of placing students in the right class and they are assessed individually by an assessing teacher. Test are reviewed by an assessing teacher (they are not automated) and results are sent typically within 48 hours. Tests are not available outside of the registration period. PLEASE NOTE: Placement tests are intended for new students. If you have taken courses with us before and can’t recall your level or want a more recent assessment, please reach out to your teacher or contact the course coordinator at iictoronto.corsi@esteri.it.
WAITING LISTS
If a course is full, it’s full, sorry, no exceptions. However, should the course of your choice be full you will be able to add your name to a waiting list, in fact we encourage you to do so. If a spot should become available you will be notified automatically by the system and given a chance to register within 24 hours, as long as registrations are still open. Also, if there are enough students on the waitlist for a particular course we may be able to open a new session of that course in a similar time slot/mode.
TEXTBOOKS
Courses A1 to B2 use Al Dente. Al Dente can be purchased at this link.
Course C1 and C2 use Nuovo Espresso which can be purchased at the time of registration.
Any required textbooks are easily and clearly indicated on the course registration page once registration opens for each session. Be sure to click on the course to open up the description to see all the relevant information. Book information is also provided in the registration confirmation e-mail that is sent upon registering.
MISSED CLASSES AND MAKE-UP LESSONS
Missed classes cannot be made-up. Students can inform their teacher of their planned absence and request any missed materials. Students who wish to can purchase private lessons at the reduced rate of $55/hour (instead of $75/hours) to go over any missed information. See our Private Lessons page for more information.
STUDYING FOR CILS EXAM
Those who want to study Italian to take the CILS B1 exam will need to take a placement test to assess their current level in order to register for the right course. The time it will take to reach a B1 level of proficiency required to pass the exam will depend on their current level of proficiency. Please refer to the section LEVELS AND COURSES above for further information.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Istituto is located in a historical building. Courses are held on the third floor, there is no elevator. There is a wheelchair accessible washroom on the main floor by the library.
LATE REGISTRATIONS
Late registrations are no longer allowed. Be sure to mark the registration deadline on your calendar in order not to be disappointed.
IMPORTANT – CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
Prior to the start of classes: full refund minus an administrative fee of $30, or a full credit. This applies also in the case of a student who mistakenly registered in the wrong course.
After the first lesson: partial refund of fee minus one lesson and a $30 administrative fee, or a full credit.
No credits or refunds after the second lesson.
The Istituto reserves the right to cancel a course for insufficient registrations. Students can transfer to a different course. If no suitable alternative is available they will receive a full refund or a full credit at their choice
Credits do not expire and can be applied towards course fees or private lessons
MISSED CLASSES
There are no refunds or credits for missed classes. However, the teachers make every effort to distribute materials at the end of each lesson and do a brief review at the beginning of the following lesson.