Italian Language Programmes

Winter School in Italian language and culture

Venice offers an ideal setting for a Winter School focused on both the Italian language and its rich cultural heritage. The city’s compact, walkable nature allows students to easily immerse themselves in Venetian life, interacting with the local community and experiencing the authentic atmosphere of this historic city.

The program, which runs for two weeks from January 26 to February 6, 2026, consists of 30 hours of Italian language classes at the Ca’ Foscari School for International Education, held at Palazzina Briati in Venice. These classes, designed for absolute beginners (level A1), take place in the mornings. 

In addition to the language classes, the curriculum includes 5 hours of cultural activities during some afternoons. These activities will offer students the opportunity to explore Venice’s historically and artistically significant sites, participate in walking tours, and enjoy local experiences that bring Italy’s rich traditions and artistic legacy to life.

Applications open on October 6th and close on November 21st.
Please note that accommodation is not provided, but the School will suggest a range of possible housing arrangements for participants.

Course features

The Winter School is designed for absolute beginners, level A1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Organization:

• Italian language classes: 30 hrs in two weeks
• Cultural activities: 5 hrs split into twice a week
• Final test

The courses will start only if a minimum number of applications is reached. The Winter School course is not credit awarding (for students).
Details:

• Dates: from January 26th until February 6th 2026
• Day and time: Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 12:00
• Classroom: to be defined
• Instructor: to be defined
• Final test: to be defined
• Office hours: to be defined
• Textbook: to be defined
• Cultural activies: twice a week in the afternoon. Hours to be defined

Cultural activities planned for the programme

• Walking tour following an itinerary in the center of Venice
• Visit to the Doge’s Palace
• Ca’ Foscari Tour
• Visit to a Venetian mask workshop

More details will be given after applications close. Cultural Activities might vary depending on availability

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How to enrol

If you wish to sign up for one of our Italian courses please fill out this form and read carefully the requested information. For invoicing reasons it is very important to indicate your correct residency address, including street name and number, zip code and country of residency.

If you are a first time SIE user, please upload your ID (identity document) and a passport-sized picture of yours.

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Fees

The fee is € 500 per person.
The special rate of €450 is available to international students.

The fee includes:
Italian intensive classes
Cultural activities

How to pay

Please arrange for the payment of the course fee only once you have received our confirmation email and do so by clicking on a specific link we will send you via email. Kindly email a copy of the payment receipt to the following address cfsie@unive.it.

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. In this case the paperwork must be sent within the first week from the beginning of classes.

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Accommodation

Some of these housing providers may offer reduced rates to students participating in our summer intensive Italian courses. We advise contacting them directly to inquire about summer availability and costs.