Standard Italian courses
Italian language online courses
The courses in the January-March session of the 2020/21 Academic Year will be entirely held online. This is intended to allow applicants to begin or continue their language training in Italian, despite the safety measures enforced to reduce the current pandemic.
What is an online course?
An online class involves “distance” learning thanks to the the use of multimedia learning instruments. This solution ensures that students have the possibility to develop language and communication skills, including oral interaction; learning is both flexible but also guided by our qualified language tutors.
The classes offered by SIE feature:
direct classes and conversation labs in live streaming (synchronous mode) using the Zoom platform;
distance learning activities (asynchronous mode) supervised by the language expert, on the Moodle platform;
self-learning activities to reinforce classic topics by means of interactive exercises.
The courses are held by highly qualified native speakers and offer students the possibility to acquire all skills in order to reach mastery of the Italian language according to the desired level.
The courses cover all levels, from A1 to C2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
Course features
Standard Italian courses for the 2020/2021 Academic Year are available in three quarterly sessions in order to ensure greater continuity in learning, allowing students to complete more than one level/course consecutively during the academic year.
The three sessions are scheduled as follows:
- First session ONLINE: September-December
- Second session ONLINE: January-March
- Third session: April-June
 | download the leaflet | 158 K |
Levels A1 and A2:
- 9 weeks
- 50 hours of language classes
- Classes include live streaming (synchronous mode) sessions held by language experts, labs for speaking skills and labs for writing skills on Moodle platform with the supervision of the language experts (asynchronous mode)
- online self-learning activities
- final test for evaluation of skills
- no credits
- fees according to category
Levels B1, B2, C1 and C2:
- 11 weeks
- 70 hours of language classes
- Classes include live streaming (synchronous mode) sessions held by language experts, labs for speaking skills and labs for writing skills on Moodle platform with the supervision of the language experts (asynchronous mode)
- online self-learning activities
- final test for competency evaluation only
- no credits
- fees according to category
Technical requirements
The online courses are accessible by means of an up-to-date PC, notebook or tablet, a good, fast internet connection, preferably with unlimited Gigabytes, and attached microphone and webcam.
All applicants enrolling in our courses must already have this equipment.
Levels will only be activated if a minimum number of enrollments is reached.
Exchange students
Please note that these courses are not the same courses as those offered exclusively for exchange students. Exchange students at Ca' Foscari, or at other higher education institutions in Venice can enrol in courses reserved especially for them at the following web page.
A1 - Beginners
Dates: January 19th - March, 26th 2021
Day and time: Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 - 12:00 CET
Lab group A: Tuesdays and Fridays 12:00 - 12:30 CET
Lab group B: Tuesdays and Fridays 12:30 - 13:00 CET
Classroom: online classes
Instructor: Elena Ballarin
Final exam: to be defined
Office hours: to be defined
Textbook: M. F. Diaco, M. G. Tommasini, Spazio Italia A1, Manuale 1 + Eserciziario 1, Livello A1, 2015, Loescher ISBN 9788820133481
A2 - Elementary
Dates: January, 19th - March, 24th 2021
Day and time: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 15:30 - 17:30 CET
Lab group A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 17:30 - 18:00 CET
Lab group B: Tuesdays and Wednesdays 18:00 - 18:30 CET
Classroom: online classes
Instructor: Paola Begotti
Final exam: to be defined
Office hours: to be defined
Textbook: M. F. Diaco, M. G. Tommasini, Spazio Italia A2, Manuale 2 + Eserciziario 2, Livello A2, 2015, Loescher ISBN 9788820133498
B1 - Pre Intermediate
Dates: January, 27th - April, 6th 2021
Day and time: Wednesday and Friday 15:30 - 18:00 CEST
Lab group A: Wednesdays 18:00 - 19:00
Lab group B: Fridays 18:00 - 19:00
Classroom: online classes
Instructor: Anna Toscano
Final exam: to be defined
Office hours: to be defined
Textbook: M. F. Diaco, M. G. Tommasini, Spazio Italia B1, Manuale 3 + Eserciziario3 Livello B1, 2015, Loescher ISBN 9788820136321
Students will participate in the classes and will be divided into two groups for the Lab classes. Only one Lab can be attended.
B2 - Intermediate
Dates: January, 18th - March, 30th 2021
Day and time: Mondays and Thursdays 14:00 - 16:30 CET
Lab group A: Mondays, 16:30 - 17:30 CET
Lab group B: Thursdays 16:30 - 17:30 CET
Classroom: online classes
Instructor: Elena Ballarin
Final exam: to be defined
Office hours: to be defined
Textbook: M. F. Diaco, M. G. Tommasini, Spazio Italia B2, Manuale 4 + Eserciziario 4 , Livello B2, 2015, Loescher ISBN 9788820136338
Students will participate in the classes and will be divided into two groups for the Lab classes. Only one Lab can be attended.
C1 - Advanced
Dates: January, 19th - March, 30th 2021
Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 13:00 - 15:30 CET
Lab group A: Tuesdays 15:30 - 16:30
Lab group B: Thursdays 15:30 - 16:30
Classroom: online classes
Instructor: Anna Toscano
Final exam: to be defined
Office hours: to be defined
Textbook: G. Massei, R. Bellagamba, Nuovo Espresso 5, libro + CD audio, p.192 Ean: 9788861825062 oppure in alternativa ebook (con audio e video integrati),2017, Alma Edizioni Ean: 9788861825147
Students will participate in the classes and will be divided into two groups for the Lab classes. Only one Lab can be attended.
C2 - Fluency
Dates: January, 21st, - April, 6th 2021
Day and time: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 - 13:30 CET
Lab group A: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 13:30 - 14:00
Lab group B: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 14:00 - 14:30
Classroom: online classes
Instructor: Paola Begotti
Final exam: to be defined
Office hours: to be defined
Textbook: M. Guida, C. Pegoraro, Nuovo Espresso 6, 2019 Alma Edizioni, ISBN 9788861825079 (Ebook)
Italian language courses for partner Universities
Upon request, the School can organise Italian language programmes for partner Universities which aim to create a true experience of life in Venice. The programmes can be combined with courses on Venetian and Italian culture, and can include numerous activities such as guided visits of the city and its museums, excursions in the lagoon and its surroundings, cultural events organised by Ca’ Foscari (theatre, music, cinema, writers conferences....), and cultural workshops, among many others.
Contact us at cfsie@unive.it to find out how!
Have you ever taken a standard Italian language course at the SIE?
Yes, I am a returning student
Welcome back! In order to proceed with enrolment in your next Italian language course the first thing you need to do as a returning student is fill out the form online. Please follow the steps outlined below.
Course enrolment: returning student
Here are 4 simple steps to follow in order to enrol in the upcoming session of our standard Italian courses:
- Fill in the online form by entering or updating your personal data, your enrolment number "Matricola" and specifying the level you want to enrol in.
- Wait for our email confirming that your level will be regularly activated. Remember that levels will only be activated if a minimum number of enrolments is reached.
- Pay the enrolment fee (once you have received our email confirmation) by bank transfer/wire and by sending the receipt of (full) payment to cfsie@unive.it with “Enrolment Italian [LEVEL] - confirmation”. Please note that payment details and deadlines can be found in the section "Fees and Payment".
- Check that your online records have been updated in your "Personal Area" - please allow a few days for our office to finalize and complete your enrolment.
No, I am enrolling at the SIE for the first time
Welcome to the SIE! In order to proceed with enrolment in our standard Italian courses as a first-time student, please follow the steps outlined below.
N.B. If you already have unive credentials, go directly to step 2.
Course enrolment: first-time student
- Register online at Ca' Foscari, by filling out your personal data, permanent address (official residency), Tax payer code, etc. Please be careful to indicate any double names and surnames so that the computer system can generate a regular tax payer code. At the end of the registration process you will receive a username and a password with which you can sign up to your Italian language course. NB: You do not need to do this step if you are already registered or have ever been a student at Ca' Foscari. If you have forgotten your username and password you can recover them here [ITA].
- Fill in the enrolment form online to enrol in the courses by selecting: "Enrolment to unlimited admission programmes", followed by "Continuing Education" and finally "School for International Education". Remember to confirm your choices on all windows that open during the procedure. You will be required to upload a photo (good quality, close-up passport-photo size) in .jpeg format, and then specify the following information in the window called "Questionario":
- what type of student you are (which determines your fees)
- which language course you wish to enrol in. N.B. This information is merely indicative, you will be enrolled in the class corresponding to your placement test result (step 3). If you are an absolute beginner, please choose A1 level.
For further information on the enrolment process please read the Guide to Enrolment.
ATTENTION! Within approx. 24 hours, you will receive by email your temporary account for your placement test (step 3)
| Guide to enrolment | 1.25 M |
- Take the online placement test. Go to the SIE Moodle Platform and log in with your unive credentials. The test result will establish your course level. If you are an absolute beginner, you do not need to take the test.
- Wait for our confirmation email that your course has been activated. Remember that courses are only activated if a minimum number of participants is reached.
- Pay for your course once you have received the confirmation email - payment details can be found in the next section. Remember that you must send receipt of (full) payment to cfsie@unive.it
- Check that your online records have been updated in your "Personal Area" - please allow one week for our office to finalize and complete your enrolment. Filling out the enrolment form does not lead to automatic enrolment. Enrolment will only be confirmed once we have received your receipt of payment, which must be sent to cfsie@unive.it.
Once you are officially enrolled you will receive the following:
- Enrolment number ("Matricola"): you are required to have an individual enrolment number so your exams can be registered
- User ID: you need this to log in to your Personal Area along with your password
- Password: your password is activated the same day it is issued. If you do not remember it you can go to the access page of your Personal Area to recover it. From your Personal Area you can access a number of services such as printing certificates, register for exams, update your data and so on.
- Email address: your email address is free and allows you to be in contact with the University. You will receive all important information from us here, such as exam results, updates, opportunities, and other general information. It will be active the day after you have been enrolled.
Applications for the second session of standard Italian courses are open until January, 10th, 2021.
Course withdrawal
If you wish to withdraw from the language courses, you are required to notify the School during the first week of classes (no later than following the first two lessons). Students who officially withdraw by this date will be eligible for partial reimbursement. The SIE reserves the right to withhold 50% of the admission fees.
Fee structure - 2020/2021 Academic Year
Considering the exceptional situation, special rates will be applied to the courses of the first session for non-Ca' Foscari applicants.
| Type of course | Fully reduced | Partially reduced (A) | Partially reduced (B) | Full fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 hours | €100 | €180 (instead of €200) | €270 (instead of €300) | €360 (instead of €400) |
| 70 hours | €140 | €250 (instead of €280) | €370 (instead of €420) | €500 (instead of €560) |
Fully reduced rate 75%
- All students enrolled at Ca’ Foscari who are up to date with their University fees
- Students from foreign institutions enrolled in exchange programmes with Ca’ Foscari (Erasmus, Overseas, Double/Joint Degree, Erasmus Mundus)
Partially reduced (A) 50%
- Other university students (e.g. IUAV, Accademia, IED, visiting students, etc)
- Ca’ Foscari scholarship and research fellows, professors, administrative personnel, CEL at Ca' Foscari (Registration fees for these users will be covered by Ca' Foscari University of Venice)
- Family member of a researcher, professor, administrative personnel, CEL, PhD, research fellow at Ca' Foscari
Partially reduced (B) 25%
- Teachers, researchers, visiting staff from other universities
- Returning CFSIE or CLA students (for who has previously taken classes at the CFSIE or the CLA)
NB: the full rate applies for all applicants who do not fall under one of the above categories.
Refunds
Refunds are granted only in case the course has not been provided or in the event of objective and documented impossibility for the applicants to participate.
Certificates
The School for International Education (SIE) issues certificates in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for languages. In order to receive a certificate for a language course students must attend the entire course, and take the final test or sit an interview with one of the language instructors.
Attendance certificates
- Attendance certificate: for students who attend a minimum of 70% of all language classes (49 hours in 70 hour courses; 35 hours in 50 hour courses), but who do not take, or pass the final exam
- Attendance certificate with final grade: for students who attend a minimum of 70% of all language classes (49 hours in 70 hour courses; 35 hours in 50 hour courses), and who take and passed the final exam
CILS certification
In collaboration with the Università per Stranieri di Siena, the School for International Education is an officially recognised examiner for the CILS exam ("Certificazione di italiano come lingua straniera). Students who wish to certifiy their level of Italian as a second language can take the CILS exam at the SIE in several session throughout the year. Upcoming dates will be available shortly.
The SIE also organises preparatory courses for the CILS exam for levels B1, B2 and C1.
For further information see the webpage.
For further information contact cfsie@unive.it
Last update: 12/01/2021