Courses
For absolute beginners or those with little exposure to Italian.
Build the foundations of the language step by step, while gaining confidence in everyday communication.
Textbook: Il Nuovo Affresco Italiano – A1
Click on the above link to purchase the textbook.
Syllabuses
A1 Beginner 1
Grammar
Personal subject pronouns
Present tense of essere and avere
Negation non
Interrogative adverbs (come,
dove, che, chi…)
Adjectives of nationality
Singular and plural of nouns
Idiomatic expressions with avere
Structures c’è and ci sono
Formal vs. Informal address (tu / Lei)
Interrogative adjective quanto
Numbers
Definite and indefinite articles
Present tense of regular verbs -are and -ere
Present tense of irregular verbs (andare, fare, dare, stare, bere)
Adjectives ending in -o and -e
Expressions with com’è?, dov’è? di dove sei?
Use of vorrei for polite requests
Communication Skills
Greeting and introducing yourself and others
Using formal and informal address appropriately
Describing people and objects (nationality, qualities, appearance)
Talking about possession with avere
Expressing basic needs and quantities (quanto)
Identifyng and describing everyday objects
Using numbers in practical contexts (phone, prices, age, etc.)
Talking about places (c’è / ci sono)
Describing simple daily activities using regular and irregular verbs
Making polite requests in shops, cafés, and daily interactions (vorrei)
Asking for clarification and meaning (come si dice? cosa significa?)
Pronunciation and spelling practice (alphabet and special sounds)
A1 Beginner 2
Grammar
Possessive adjectives
Present tense of regular verbs in -ire
Present tense of irregular -ire verbs: capire, finire, preferire, pulire, spedire
Present indicative of the irregular verbs rimanere, salire, uscire, venire
Interrogative adjectives, pronouns, and adverbs
Simple and spatial prepositions: sopra, sotto, davanti, dietro, etc.
Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns questo and quello
Present tense of modal verbs dovere, potere, volere
Communication Skills
Describing family members and talking about one’s family
Explaining ownership (di chi è? di chi sono?)
Talking about daily activities and routines
Describing cities
Understanding and giving directions within a city
Talking about one’s house and describing the various rooms inside
Understanding and giving times for appointments and scheduling
Talking about professions and workplaces
Expressing abilities, obligations, and desires
Pronunciation
A1 Beginner 3
Grammar
Reflexive and reciprocal verbs in the present and past
Articulated prepositions (preposizioni articolate)
Introduction to past tense: passato prossimo with avere
Passato prossimo with essere
Common irregular past participles: fare/fatto, vedere/visto, prendere/preso, leggere/letto, etc.
Use of piacere: Mi piace, mi piacciono
Communication Skills
Talking about hobbies
Describing daily routines
Narrating past events and experiences
Expressing likes and dislikes (mi piace / non mi piace)
Describing vacation activities and places
Talking about the seasons
Asking and telling the time
Enquiring about schedules, availability, and frequency
Pronunciation
A1 Beginner 4
Grammar
Partitive articles
Using volevo to make requests
The adjective buono and its forms
Adverbs of quantity molto and poco
Direct object pronouns
Past tense (passato prossimo) of modal verbs
Using avere or essere with modal verbs
The qualitative adjective bello and the demonstrative adjective quello
The indefinite pronouns qualche and alcuni
Communication Skills
Ordering food and drinks
Placing requests in grocery stores
Describing food preferences and tastes
Talking about clothing and fashion
Interacting in stores
Referring to people and objects without repetition using pronouns
Discussing past obligations and desires
Pointing out objects and people at different distances
Discussing places visited and experiences
Expressing knowledge of facts, skills, and people
Distinguishing between knowing information and knowing people/places
Talking about the weather
Pronunciation
A1 Beginner 5
Grammar
Direct object pronouns with verbs in the past tense
Indirect object pronouns
The adverb of place “ci”
Present tense of verbs sapere and conoscere and their uses
Imperative tense
Negative imperative
Irregular imperatives (sii, siate, abbi, abbiate)
Using per favore/per piacere with the imperative tense
Communication Skills
Talking about Italian regions and cities
Describing places and discussing places previously visited
Asking and giving information about a place
Expressing knowledge of facts, skills, and people
Talking about the weather
Describing housing and living arrangements
Giving instructions and directions
Making requests and giving commands politely
Prohibiting actions
Pronunciation
Book Your Class
Spring Term 2026 (8 wks)
March 16 – May 9, 2026
Holiday Schedule & Make-Up Classes
Please note that ItaLingua will be closed Saturday, April 4.
Classes scheduled for the following dates will be made up as listed below:
Saturday, April 4 → Class will meet Saturday, May 16