Pack your bags — and you’re Italian! Italian: Language for Travel (Online) is a practical course that helps you speak with confidence on holiday or work trips. Over two consecutive Saturdays via Zoom, you’ll practice the phrases that matter through role-plays, guided conversations and real travel scenarios. 

You’ll leave with a “survival Italian” toolkit: high-frequency vocabulary, clearer pronunciation, and easy strategies to keep talking even when you can’t remember the exact word.

Why study Italian at IH London? 

Italian is perfect for travel and culture — and you can start speaking it from the very beginning. At International House London, expert teachers and interactive lessons help you develop real communication skills fast. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes and learning resources  

• Additional self-study materials  

• Ongoing support from experienced teachers  

• Access to exclusive IH London student workshops and events 

This course is ideal for learners who want practical Italian for travel, including: 

• students who have studied very little Italian but want to use it more confidently 

• beginners who want a focused, “holiday Italian” boost 

• learners who can understand basic Italian but hesitate when speaking 

• anyone travelling to Italy who wants useful language for real situations 

If you’re unsure about your level, we can help you choose the best option. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

Communicate confidently in common travel situations 

You’ll practice Italian for real-life travel scenarios, such as: 

• greetings, introductions and polite social language 

• checking in/out at hotels and handling common requests 

• ordering in cafés/restaurants (dietary needs, problems, paying) 

• asking for and understanding directions and transport information 

• shopping and making simple enquiries (prices, sizes, tickets, times) 

• dealing with unexpected situations (lost items, delays, health/pharmacy basics) 

Speak more clearly and naturally 

You’ll also build speaking confidence through: 

• key survival phrases and high-frequency vocabulary 

• strategies to keep going when you don’t know the exact word (rephrasing, clarification, “buying time”) 

• pronunciation support for clearer, more intelligible Italian 

• mini role-plays and speaking tasks to help you respond quickly and naturally 

Explore Italian-speaking cultures 

Alongside the language, you’ll build cultural confidence through: 

• polite requests and everyday etiquette 

• typical service interactions and communication style 

• practical tips for Italian-speaking destinations 

Course materials: All course materials are shared via SharePoint. You will receive the access link in your welcome email, which is sent 24 hours before the course starts. 

Do I need previous knowledge of Italian? 

Some basic Italian is helpful, but the course is designed to support learners who want practical travel language and lots of guided speaking practice. 

When is the course and how long is each class? 

The course runs on two consecutive Saturdays, 10:00–13:00 (UK time), via Zoom. 

Is this course face-to-face or online? 

This is an online course taught live on Zoom. 

What level is the course? 

This course is best for beginners and near-beginners who want practical Italian for travel. If you’re unsure, we can advise you on the best option. 

Will there be lots of speaking practice? 

Yes. The course is highly practical and includes guided speaking tasks, role-plays and realistic travel scenarios to help you build confidence quickly. 

Do I need to install anything to join the course? 

You’ll need access to Zoom (app or browser). We’ll send joining details before the course starts. 

What do I need for the online lessons? 

A stable internet connection, and a device with a microphone and camera (headphones recommended). You may also want a notebook for quick notes. 

What if I miss a Saturday? 

Because this is a short course, it’s best to attend both sessions. If you miss a class, we’ll share key materials via SharePoint, but we can’t replicate the live speaking practice. 

Can I continue studying after this course? 

Yes! Your teacher can recommend the best next step, such as a general Italian course or a level-based programme at IH London. 

How will I receive the course materials? 

All course materials are shared via SharePoint, with access provided in your welcome email 24 hours before the course starts. 

Is there a coursebook? 

No fixed coursebook is required — your teacher will provide targeted materials and resources for the course. 

Italian Level 1 (A0) is a complete beginner course for students who have never studied the language before. If you already have some basic knowledge of Italian, we recommend taking our placement test or contacting the Foreign Language Department, as a more suitable course may be available for you.

Our classes take place at our school in Covent Garden with qualified, experienced teachers.

Classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication. Lessons are primarily taught in Italian and include interactive activities like group work and role-plays to boost confidence and fluency. Our courses help you use Italian in everyday situations, while building core skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

After Level 1, continue your learning with Level 2 and beyond. Progression is based on your class participation and self-study—there are no formal tests. To help you better understand our level system, check our level chart.

What’s included in your course?

– Lesson summaries, notes & resources
– Italian study tips
– Additional study resources
– Support from experienced teachers
– Exclusive workshops and events to IH London students

By the end of your course, you should be able to:

– Greet people, say goodbye, and respond appropriately in everyday situations
– Introduce yourself and others clearly and confidently
– Ask and answer questions about where you and others are from
– Provide personal details during a hotel check-in
– Ask for and give information such as age, nationality, job, phone number, email, and address
– Spell and recognize basic words like names, countries, and email addresses
– Understand and use numbers when talking about phone numbers, ages, prices, and room numbers

Materials

Required Coursebook:

DIECI A1 – Euridice Orlandino & Ciro Massimo Naddeo
Publisher – ALMA Edizioni
ISBN 9788861826212

Unit 0,1 and 2

Italian Kickstart is a new live online course for complete beginners who want to start speaking Italian in a short, practical format. 

In just 4 Saturday mornings, you will build confidence with the basics of everyday Italian through live teacher-led lessons, interactive activities, and guided speaking practice. The course is designed for people who are new to the language and want a friendly, achievable introduction without committing to a long programme or following a traditional coursebook. 

Lessons focus on useful communication from the start. You will learn how to introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions, and manage short everyday interactions in Italian. 

Course format 

• Duration: 4 weeks 

• Schedule: Saturdays, 10.00–11.30 

• Delivery: Live online 

• Level: Complete beginners 

• Materials: Teacher-created materials, no coursebook required 

Why choose Italian Kickstart? 

• study with a trusted and internationally recognised language school 

• learn in a live online classroom with expert teacher support 

• enjoy a short and manageable format designed for busy adults 

• build confidence through practical speaking-focused lessons 

• make clear progress in just 4 weeks 

This course is for complete beginners who want a clear and motivating introduction to Italian. 

It is a good fit for: 

• adults who have never studied Italian before 

• learners who studied a little Italian a long time ago and want to start again from the beginning 

• people looking for a short course before committing to a longer programme 

• busy learners who want a focused and manageable course on Saturday mornings 

• anyone interested in learning practical Italian for everyday situations, travel, or general interest 

This course may be especially useful if you want to: 

• try Italian for the first time 

• build confidence speaking in a supportive group 

• learn through communication rather than a traditional coursebook 

• see quick progress in a short period of time 

This course may not be the right choice if you already have a solid foundation in Italian and can already hold basic conversations. In that case, a higher-level course would be more suitable. 

Do I need any previous knowledge of Italian? 

No. This course is for complete beginners. 

Is there a coursebook? 

No. The course uses teacher-created materials, so you do not need to buy a coursebook. 

How are the lessons taught? 

Lessons are taught live via Zoom by a teacher and include interactive activities, guided speaking practice, and focused language input. 

How much study is expected outside class? 

We recommend short practice between lessons to help you review and remember what you learn in class. These tasks are designed to be manageable and supportive. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. The course is designed to help you start using Italian actively from the beginning, so there will be regular speaking practice in a supportive environment. 

What will I be able to do by the end of the course? 

By the end of the 4 weeks, you will be able to introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions, and manage short everyday interactions in Italian with more confidence. 

What happens after Italian Kickstart? 

Italian Kickstart is designed as a first step. After the course, you can continue with our follow-on course, Italian Kickstart 2, to build on what you have learnt. 

Who is the course suitable for? 

The course is aimed at adults (18+) who want a short, practical introduction to Italian in a live online format. 

Why not try out a sample beginners Italian lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the Italian language before. 

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)

Course Information

• Students must be 18+ years old
• Existing language ability: this is a course for complete beginners
• Classes will take place via Zoom
• Lessons taught by up to six supervised IH London trainee teachers
• All lessons are supervised by experienced teacher trainers

Class Schedule

• The classes are 2 hours per week
• The course runs for 10 weeks
• The course takes place on Monday evenings 18:30 – 20:30

What do you need for an online class?

To get the most from this course you will need

• A reliable internet connection
• A desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone
• A web camera on or attached to the device you are using
• An integrated microphone in the device you are using or an attached headset
• The day before your course, you will be sent via email all the details you need to connect to the IH London Zoom classroom