You can use and understand Italian with ease, being verbal or written communication. You can take part in lengthy conversations and write and understand all texts. You can basically understand anything you read or hear with spontaneity, fluency and precision.

Program Structure

Register to a perfezionamento sub-levels:
Perfezionamento, Lettura & Grammatica
PICK A DATE AND REGISTER

You will strengthen your Italian knowledge using Nuovo Espresso 6 and reading an Italian novel chosen by your teacher. Your Italian will get stronger, perfectioning your grammar knowledge and your reading skills. 

AVAILABLE CLASSES
Dates
Day/time
Teacher
Price
July 9 to Sept 10 (10 WKS)
T 6:30 - 8:30pm PST
Teacher: Luigi (ONLINE)
$380/term
July 30 to Sept 24 (9 WKS)
T 6:00 - 8:30pm PST
Teacher: Barbara (IN PERSON)
$440/term
July 31 to Sept 25 (9 WKS)
W 6:00 - 8:30pm PST
Teacher: Barbara (ONLINE)
$435/term
Aug 1 to Sept 26 (9 WKS)
TH 10:30am - 1:00pm PST
Teacher: Barbara (ONLINE)
$435/term
SOLD OUT
Aug 3 to Sept 28 (9 WKS)
SA 10:00am - 12:30pm PST
Teacher: Barbara (ONLINE)
$435/term
TEXTBOOK
Book 1 (mandatory)
Nuovo Espresso 6
Book 2 Grammar (optional)
Nuova Grammatica Pratica della Lingua Italiana
Reading Books
Viaggio a Venezia, Laura Rubino
Luigi - T 6:30 - 8:30pm PST
Dimenticami Trovami Sognami, Andrea Viscusi
Barbara - T 6:00 - 8:30pm PST
Il cane di terracotta, Andrea Camilleri 
Barbara - W 6:00 - 8:30pm PST
Il cane di terracotta, Andrea Camilleri 
Barbara - TH 10:30am-1:00pm PST
Carolina dei delitti, Lia Celi
Barbara - SA 10:00am-12:30pm PST
A spasso per l'Italia
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Gianna will guide you in a journey of discovery of Italy, focusing each Term on a different Region.

The focus for the Summer Term will be on Trentino Alto Adige.

 

The reading and short tube videos will inspire you to discuss and learn about this region and explore current Italian issues as well.

You will also revise some grammar topics, starting from the conversation that the book and videos will inspire.

AVAILABLE CLASSES
Dates
Day/time
Teacher
Price
July 26 to Sept 27 (10 WKS)
F 10:30 am - 1:00 pm PST
Teacher: Gianna (ONLINE)
$480/term
TEXTBOOK
Book 1 (mandatory)
Nuovo Espresso 6
Reading Book
Il cuore è uno zingaro, Luca Bianchini
Leggiamo Insieme
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You will read along with your classmates high Italian literature novels, written by renowned Italian novelists, discussing their main points exclusively in Italian, under the guidance of your expert teacher Martina.

In the Summer Term students will read the novel “L’eta’ fragile“, by Donatella Di Pietrantonio in a total of 4 weeks, with a 1-hour class per week (11:00 am – 12:00 pm PST).

AVAILABLE CLASSES
Dates
Day/time
Teacher
Price
Aug 8 to Aug 29 (4 WKS)
TH 11:00 am - 12:00 pm PST
Teacher: Martina (ONLINE)
$85/term
TEXTBOOK
Reading book
L'eta' fragile, Donatella Di Pietrantonio
Classics Book Club
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A series of 15 classes. 2 hours long, focused on studying, reading and discussing one of the main Italian classic literature novels.

In the Summer and Fall Term, the group will focus on “La storia“, by Elsa Morante.

With our instructor, Mattia Milone, we will read through this Classic of Italian Literature and discuss this novel published in 1974 and set in Rome during and after the last war (1941-47). It represents the pinnacle of Elsa Morante’s life experience.

AVAILABLE CLASSES
Dates
Day/time
Teacher
Price
Aug 30 to Dec 13 (15 WKS)
F 11:00 am - 1:00 pm PST
Teacher: Mattia (ONLINE)
$480/term
TEXTBOOK
Reading book
La storia, by Elsa Morante
Caffe Corretto
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2 hours of reading, speaking and conversation at an advanced level, to enjoy speaking Italian as if you were having a cup of coffee with your Italian friends.

During this class, Mattia will help his students to achieve the goal of reading, speaking and having a conversation about a famous Italian book.

In the Summer Term we will have 2 separate Sessions, each one reading a different book.

In the Session 2 we will have 4 classes (9/9-9/16-9/23-9/30), reading the book “Lacci”, by Domenico Starnone.

AVAILABLE CLASSES
Dates
Day/time
Teacher
Price
Sept 9 to Sept 30 (4 WKS)
M 11:00am – 1:00 pm PST
Teacher: Mattia (IN PERSON)
$165/term
TEXTBOOK
Book 1 (mandatory)
Caccia ai Tesori, Antonella Filippone and Sandra Radicchio
Reading Book
Lacci, Domenico Starnone
PRICE
Prices are listed next to each group.

A 10$ nonrefundable registration fee will be automatically added at checkout.

Books are not included in the enrollment price.


DISCOUNTS

BRING A FRIEND: If you enroll with a friend (new to IIS), you both get a 10% discount

ENROLL IN 2 GROUPS: if you enroll in 2 groups, you will get a 15% discount on the second group's enrollment (the less expensive)

PRIVATE CLASSES: if you are enrolled in a group, you can purchase private classes with a 10% discount

BULK REGISTRATION: if you enroll in 2 or more Terms at the same time, you will not pay the $10 registration fee and will get an additional 10% discount

To get these discounts, send an email to italianschool@sfiis.org
DURATION
Group Classes
from 8 to10 week courses, classes meet once a week
Term 1
January 8th to March 16th
Term 2
April 1st to June 8th
Term 3
July 29h to October 7th
Term 4
October 14th to December 14th

Let our students speak for us!

Truly a gem of a school
Erin Yu
"SFIIS runs a fantastic org and program - truly a gem of a school. The staff are warm and wonderfully efficient. I've done both in-person and online classes, and plan to continue for as long as I can. They cover all levels of Italian proficiency, with an engaging mix of private lessons, themed classes (e.g. Italian for Travelers), and regular Term classes. If you can, I highly recommend going in person for at least some lessons - they have a wonderful office in sunny North Beach."
Cannot recommend this online foreign language program for toddlers enough!
Andrea DiSandro
"First and foremost, let me sing praises for the incredible teacher, Francesca. She possesses a remarkable talent for not only teaching but captivating young minds. Her ability to blend learning and play seamlessly is nothing short of amazing. [...] What's truly heartwarming is witnessing my daughter's enthusiasm for her weekly class. [...] As a family that values multilingualism, I can confidently say that this virtual program stands head and shoulders above the rest. [...] I am beyond impressed and immensely grateful for the positive impact this program has had on our family. If you're seeking a top-tier virtual language learning experience for your little one, look no further. This program is truly amazing, and I wholeheartedly endorse it to any parent seeking to enrich their child's linguistic abilities.
Beginners 1 experience
Jeffrey Jordan
"I just completed my first course with Istituto Italiano Scuola and was quite impressed. It was both rigorous and fun in balance, inspiring me to learn and take my Italian further than ever before. I'll be back for the next level course."
IL MIO POSTO FELICE!!!!
Leslie Hughes
“What I like most about participating in a literature class with the Istituto is having classmates with whom to discuss our books. I like hearing their opinions and responding to them. Reading is a great pleasure of mine, but sharing a book makes reading an adventure. With a teacher guiding us we improve our language skills and become more self-confident expressing ourselves. I’m grateful for the opportunity!”
The best way to maintain and improve my language skills
Dennis Abbe
“I have been taking classes at the SFIIS for years because, short of a long stay in Italy, it is the best way to maintain and improve my language skills. But more than that, I enjoy being with the other students and my instructor(s), many of whom are now good friends. In my class we read classic and contemporary Italian literature, and our instructor keeps us up to date on Italian culture and even politics. The experience on Zoom is almost as good as the in-person classes; Barbara is amazing in her use of the tools to run a lively, efficient, and fun class.”
I've made life-long friends through SFIIS classes
Dede Heitman
“The SFIIS school offers the best, well rounded Italian languages classes in the Bay Area. With native speakers as teachers, the classes provide a comprehensive, natural and fun way of learning. Everyone feels welcome, no matter the level. The teachers are encouraging, entertaining and enthusiastic about their language and culture. As a bonus, I've made life-long friends through SFIIS classes. Please join our Italian language learning community!”
An authentic learning experience
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