Back to Scuola: how Italians learn (and love) their language

The Italian back-to-school spirit 

In Italy, September and October are more than just the ninth and tenth months of the year — they’re a true cultural reset. After Ferragosto, when the whole country slows into a summer lull, September marks the return to daily routines, while October signals life back at full speed. Offices reopen, trains are crowded again, and, most importantly, la scuola ricomincia. 

The primo giorno di scuola is a national ritual. Streets fill with children wearing their freshly ironed grembiuli (school smocks), carrying brand-new zaini (backpacks) stuffed with quaderni (notebooks) that still smell of paper and ink. Stationery shops are busy selling astucci (pencil cases) with matching pens, while families gather the evening before to pack bags and set out clothes for the big day. 

This moment isn’t just exciting for students—it’s a season when everyone in Italy, from schoolchildren to retirees, feels the pull toward fresh starts. It’s the ideal mindset for starting something new… like learning Italian. 

Why the Fall is the best time to learn Italian?

• The “New Year” energy without the cold weather
  While January has the traditional “new beginnings” appeal, September and October in Italy feel like the real restart. That energy is contagious, and it’s the perfect time to channel it into learning a language. At Istituto Italiano Scuola, we harness that same spirit with lively classes that make each lesson feel like a step into an Italian piazza.
• Be conversation-ready for the Holidays
  If you start in October with our Fall Term classes, you’ll have months to build up your skills before the holiday season. Imagine chatting in Italian with relatives in Florence, ordering panettone in Milan, or toasting the New Year with a heartfelt Buon Anno! in Rome. 
• Give your brain an Autumn workout
  After the slower pace of summer, learning Italian wakes up your mind. Language study has been shown to sharpen memory, boost creativity, and even delay cognitive decline. Plus, learning with a group adds social connection—a mental and emotional bonus.
• Join a community that feels like Italy
  At IIS, you’re not just a student in a class—you’re part of a cultural community. Our courses weave in Italian cinema, songs, idioms, and traditions so you learn the language in context. This October with our Fall Term classes, you’ll not only study Italian, you’ll live it. 

Italian school traditions that inspire learning 

In Italy, school isn’t just about academics—it’s a cultural hub full of its own rituals and vocabulary. Here are a few traditions that connect you to the rhythm of Italian life: 

• Compiti per le vacanze – summer homework that Italian kids bring back in September, often with a mix of dread and pride. 

• Intervallo – the mid-morning break, when students rush to the bar (café) for a snack or panino. 

• Bidello/a – more than just a school custodian, this figure is often the friendly problem-solver who knows everyone’s name. 

• Il diario – part planner, part scrapbook, where students record homework, doodles, and heartfelt notes from friends. 

These school-life details reflect the heart of Italian culture: community, ritual, and a blend of the serious with the playful. 

Learn Italian the IIS way 

At Istituto Italiano Scuola, we bring this same Italian vibrancy to our classrooms. Whether you join us in San Francisco or online, you’ll experience: 

• Native-speaking teachers who share not only language, but real stories from their lives in Italy. 

• Cultural immersion through cooking workshops, film screenings, and conversations about current events. 

• A supportive community where you can practice without fear, make friends, and connect through shared curiosity about Italy. 

Our Fall Term starts October 6th, with courses for every level—from complete beginners to advanced students fine-tuning their fluency. Each class is designed to be interactive, fun, and directly applicable to real-life situations, whether you’re preparing for travel, work, or connecting with family heritage. 

 Make this Fall your ‘primo giorno di scuola’.
Enroll in the Fall Term at Istituto Italiano Scuola and start speaking Italian from day one. 

Enroll now !