Check Back Soon for Upcoming News and Events!
Italian Language
Classes
Learn The Italian Language Through Our Immersion Courses
Learn Italian with Filitalia International
through engaging Italian language lessons designed for all levels
Our certified Italian teachers provide 12-week sessions (90 minutes per week) available both in-person and online, making it easy to immerse yourself in Italian culture and communication wherever you are.
Courses follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the international standard for language learning.
Students progress from beginner (A1/A2) to intermediate (B1/B2) and advanced proficiency (C1/C2), building skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with modern, interactive materials.
Members enjoy exclusive access to these classes, with special discounts for back-to-back registrations.
**A 5% processing fee will be issued at the point of any & all refunds.
If you purchase 2 back to back sessions during one of recurring registration night events you will receive a 10% discount on the total purchase.**
If you’re not yet a member, you can easily join Filitalia International during registration and connect with the chapter nearest you.
Start your journey today with Filitalia International and discover the beauty of the Italian language, culture, and heritage.
Don’t know your Italian Level?
Assess your level reading the Levels section below and purchase your package.
When you sign up for our courses you will also receive a placement test via email, to take at your own pace.
**Members that volunteer at our Language Center/Museum for a 4 hour shift, 2x per month will receive a 15% discount on each 12 week course
Levels of Italian Offered
Students will be assigned to the classes through completion of the placement test attesting to their language level.
Classes will have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 12 people.
Basic Levels A1-A2
Basic User A1 – Level 101
LISTENING: Can follow language, which is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for them to assimilate meaning. Can recognize concrete information (e.g. places and times) on familiar topics encountered in everyday life, provided it is delivered slowly and clearly.
SPEAKING: Can produce simple, mainly isolated phrases about people and places.
READING: Can understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required.
WRITING: Can give information about matters of personal relevance (e.g. likes and dislikes, family, pets) using simple words/signs and basic expressions. Can produce simple isolated phrases and sentences.
Basic User A2 – Levels 102–103
LISTENING: Can follow language, which is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for them to assimilate meaning. Can recognize concrete information (e.g. places and times) on familiar topics encountered in everyday life, provided it is delivered slowly and clearly.
SPEAKING: Can produce simple, mainly isolated phrases about people and places.
READING: Can understand very short, simple texts a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required.
WRITING: Can give information about matters of personal relevance (e.g. likes and dislikes, family, pets) using simple words/signs and basic expressions. Can produce simple isolated phrases and sentences.
Intermediate Leves B1-B2
Independent User B1 – Levels 201–202–203
LISTENING: Can understand straightforward factual information about common every day or job-related topics, identifying both general messages and specific details, provided people articulate clearly in a generally familiar variety.
Can understand the main points made in clear standard language or a familiar variety on familiar matters regularly encountered at work, school, leisure, etc., including short narratives.
SPEAKING: Can reasonably fluently sustain a straightforward description of one of a variety of subjects within their field of interest, presenting it as a linear sequence of points.
READING: Can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters well enough to correspond regularly with a pen friend.
Can understand straightforward personal letters, e-mails or postings giving a relatively detailed account of events and experiences.
Can understand standard formal correspondence and online postings in their area of professional interest.
WRITING: Can produce straightforward connected texts on a range of familiar subjects within their field of interest, by linking a series of shorter discrete elements into a linear sequence.
Independent User B2 – Levels 301–302–303
LISTENING: Can understand standard language or a familiar variety, live or broadcast, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics normally encountered in personal, social, academic or vocational life.
Can understand the main ideas of propositionally and linguistically complex discourse on both concrete and abstract topics delivered in standard language or a familiar variety, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
SPEAKING: Can give clear, systematically developed descriptions and presentations, with appropriate highlighting of significant points, and relevant supporting detail. Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on a wide range of subjects related
READING: Can read with a large degree of independence, adapting style and speed of reading to different texts and purposes, and using appropriate reference sources selectively. Has a broad active reading vocabulary but may experience some difficulty with low-frequency idioms.
WRITING: Can produce clear, detailed texts on a variety of subjects related to their field of interest, synthesizing and evaluating information and arguments from a number of sources.
Advanced Level C1
Proficient User C1 – Levels 401–402–403
LISTENING: Can understand enough to follow extended discourse on abstract and complex topics beyond their own field, though they may need to confirm occasional details, especially if the variety is unfamiliar.
Can recognize a wide range of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms, appreciating register shifts.
Can follow extended discourse even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signaled explicitly.
SPEAKING: Can give clear, detailed descriptions and presentations on complex subjects, integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
READING: Can understand in detail lengthy, complex texts, whether or not these relate to their own area of specialty, provided they can reread difficult sections. Can understand a wide variety of texts including literary writings, newspaper or magazine articles, and specialized academic or professional publications, provided there are opportunities for rereading, and they have access to reference tools.
WRITING: Can produce clear, well-structured texts of complex subjects, underlining the relevant salient issues, expanding and supporting points of view at some length with subsidiary points, reasons and relevant examples, and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion.
Can employ the structure and conventions of a variety of genres, varying the tone, style and register according to addressee, text type and theme.
Meet the Teachers
Angela Martino
Hello, my name is Angela Martino, I am American and have Italian background. I am currently living in Rome, the eternal city and love travelling. I have a bachelor and masters degree in modern languages and I am currently a teacher in a private Catholic school. Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of working in both international and Italian schools, where I’ve guided students of various ages, backgrounds, and language levels through the fascinating process of language acquisition.
My journey as a teacher began with a deep love for languages—not just as systems of communication, but as keys to understanding culture, identity, and human connection. This passion has grown stronger with each year of teaching. Whether I’m helping a student master English pronunciation or supporting someone in expressing themselves fluently in Italian, I always aim to make the learning experience meaningful, dynamic, and empowering.
Working in diverse educational settings has given me a global perspective and a flexible teaching style. I adapt my lessons to meet individual needs, combining structure with creativity, and always prioritizing real-world use of the language. I believe that learning a language should be both challenging and enjoyable—and that the classroom should be a space where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are welcomed, and progress is celebrated.
As a teacher, I strive not only to share knowledge but also to inspire confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning.
Language opens doors, and I’m here to help my students walk through them.
Elisa Speziale
Hello, I'm Elisa Speziale, I am a bilingual learner and teacher, who grew-up in international educational settings.
I have a BA (Hons) in Language and Literature from the Sapienza University, specialising in English and German.
I gained an MA in Teaching Language and Literature from the International University of Rome (UNINT) cum laude.
I also have an MA in Emotional Coaching from the European University because I believe in motivation and inclusiveness. I worked in an international school in Rome and in Italian schools gaining experience from both worlds.
I'm also a Cambridge TKT-CLIL English teacher because of my love for traditions and culture and also a qualified English Cambridge exam invigilator.
I studied a Special Educational Needs specialisation in order to better identify strategies and tools to continue to provide meaningful learning to all students.
My hobbies are travelling, reading and visiting the theatre and exhibitions.
Federica Sbrenna
With over 15 years of experience in Talent management and development in a major tech company in Italy (TIM), and 8 years in executive coaching, I bring a strong academic foundation and a global perspective to my work. I hold a Master in Russian Language and Literature from La Sapienza University (Laurea cum laude) and a Master in Human Resources from the Roman School of Psychology in Rome.
Throughout my career, I've pursued continuous professional development, becoming a PCC Certified Coach with additional training from the Conscious Business Center, the NeuroLeadership Institute, and Advanced Team Coaching certification. I'm also Hogan Certified and specialize in cross-cultural management, helping leaders succeed in today's global, diverse environments.
Over the past 20 years, I've lived and worked in seven different countries across four continents. This experience has given me a deep understanding of different cultural perspectives, communication styles, and business practices. From Western and Eastern Europe to Latin America, the Middle East, and Japan, I've developed the ability to guide international teams through cultural complexity, enhancing collaboration, understanding, and performance.
Joanne Natale Spigonardo
Joanne has been a member of Filitalia, Delaware County Chapter, for one year. She teaches beginners basic Italian for Filitalia.
Joanne graduated with a BA in Italian from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981. After graduation she worked as a sales representative for Alitalia Airlines for 17 years. Joanne has many years of experience with travel to Italy and the Italian language and Italian literature.
She has been active in the Italian community through clubs and events for decades.
Joanne returned to Penn in 1999 to pursue careers in communications and business sustainability at the Wharton School.
In 2006 she earned a certification in Human Resource Management from the Wharton Aresty Institute of Executive Education.
Currently she is Senior Advisor in the School of Arts and Sciences to students and alumni where she coaches them on careers and professional development. Joanne has strong corporate relationships and has brokered hundreds of partnerships for Wharton. Joanne is on the board of governors of the University Club.
Joanne is an advocate for all things Italian. She is the author of a books White Widow, a fictional novel about 19th-20th Century Italian immigrants, and also of the Hidden Treasures of Italy Blog.
Giuseppina Ferrante
Hello I'm Giuseppina, or Josie, I have a degree in Languages, Literature and Foreign Cultural Studies at the Università degli Studi di Palermo - Younipa, the University of Palermo, Italy.
I'm a mom, a realtor and a translator, and have years of experience as teacher of Italian.
Join Our Italian Classes Today!
Join Filitalia’s Italian Language Classes and immerse yourself in authentic Italian culture.
Taught by certified instructors, our in-person and online courses help you build fluency while connecting with a global community dedicated to preserving Italian heritage.
Enroll today and take the first step toward speaking Italian with confidence.