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Welcome to ItaLingua Institute!

School of Italian Language and Culture in the San Francisco Bay Area and Online Throughout the United States

Founded in 1991 as a nonprofit organization, ItaLingua was created to share the Italian language and culture with the San Francisco community and beyond. 

Supported by a circle of dedicated Italian scholars and professionals, the school quickly became a welcoming hub for anyone passionate about Italy.

In 1996, Francesca Gaspari joined as a teacher and in 2000 she became Director of ItaLingua, shaping the school with her vision of creating “a piece of Italy” in the heart of the Bay Area. Francesca sees Italian as “work of art,” and learning it is a joyful journey into the country’s beauty and creativity. Francesca continues to teach today.

Today, ItaLingua offers engaging classes, workshops, and cultural events both in-person and online, taught by highly qualified, native-speaking instructors. From beginners to advanced learners, every student experiences Italian as more than a language—it’s a living, vibrant culture.

At the heart of what makes ItaLingua so cherished is its commitment to exceptional instruction and a rich sense of community—two qualities that have consistently fostered a loyal following over the years.

What Makes Us Special

More than learning a language — we take our students on a cultural journey into the heart and soul of Italy.

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Our Teachers

Founded by passionate educators, we continue to bring Italy’s spirit to life through language, conversation, and community. Our teachers are highly qualified native-speakers who love to share their culture with their students.
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Our Classes

We offer Italian language courses for all levels — from beginner to advanced — both in-person in San Francisco e Berkeley and online across the U.S.. Whether you’re learning for travel, work, or pure love of Italy, ItaLingua helps you find your voice — in Italian.
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Our Method

Our teaching method is designed to help you discover the Italian in you. Through full immersion, interactive grammar, and a strong focus on conversation, we create a dynamic learning environment where language comes to life. Each class invites you to think, speak, and feel in Italian — building fluency naturally while connecting with Italy’s culture, warmth, and spirit.
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Meet Our Teachers

Nicoletta Gherardi
Vania Ferraro
Anna Baldi
Mattia Milone
Diana Alberghini
Claudia Corcione
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What Our Students Say

Unlike typical college classes or do-it-yourself programs like Babel or Rosetta Stone, at ItaLingua you learn the language in the context of the Italian culture. So you not only learn how to read, write, listen and speak Italian, you gain an understanding of the country and people – which you can only learn from real Italians.

 
 
Craig
In a little over a year, we are now having full basic conversations around the house! All thanks to ItaLingua. I am not usually successful in online classes, but the very small size of our classes, lots of familiar faces who have made the journey with us, and instructors who really pay attention to your progress made all the difference. 
 
 
Mike
I’ve studied at other language institutes in the past and ItaLingua is by far the very best. The teachers are well trained and the classes not only include grammar and conversation, but also Italian history and culture. I highly recommend the ItaLingua classes to beginners as well as more advanced students. The classes are a lot of fun and I look forward to each lesson – a highlight of my week. 
 
Nancy