“ It's a fun and lively class and Idilia did a great job of including everyone in friendly conversations without making it difficult. I learned a lot. ”    
Jim on Sep 19, 2015

“ This is a really great group for anyone interested in improving their Italian. It's more than a conversation group, more like a class, but with absolutely no pressure. Idilia is a truly gifted teacher; she keeps things fun, engaging, and very comfortable for speakers of all levels. It's the perfect way to get in some Italian conversation and learn some new things with a friendly group of folks. ”
Rick On Feb 15, 2016

FREE EVENTS & CLASSES

The Chicago Italian Conversation Group By ITALIAMO     
Vuoi parlare italiano come un madrelingua? Do you want to speak Italian like a native?
Se stai cercando un gruppo che ti aiuti a migliorare il tuo italiano... If you are looking for a group that will help you improve your Italian, not only practice what you already know... Questo è il gruppo per te! This is the group for you!!
Come and practice your language skills, in a RELAXED setting, with other Italian speakers and enthusiasts, and the SUPERVISION OF A MOTHER-TONGUE TEACHER.
In each meeting we will explore a new topic, from Art to Food, to Current Events, to Film, to Literature, and through a series of exciting activities and exercises we'll work on your vocabulary, conversation
skills and why not... even grammar!! Speakers of all levels are invited to participate in our conversation groups, although some previous knowledge of Italian is advised.
Impariamo con le CANZONI! - online and in-person - (Level A1 and higher)
Songs are the “reflections” of the society in which they are produced, they carry values and views typical of specific moments in the history and culture of a Nation… and who doesn’t love to listen to songs?!
In this course we will use modern Italian songs as an instrument to access and analyze the language and some interesting aspects of contemporary Italian culture.
Jovanotti, Carmen Consoli, Vasco Rossi, Giorgio Gaber, Mina and Ligabue are only some of the artists we will focus on. Email us to inquire about this course calendar and availability.
And if you are in Chicago don’t miss the opportunity to participate in our Karaoke Nights! (Check our Facebook page    https://www.facebook.com/italiamo.us     for dates and locations).
Gioch-ITAL-iamo! Impariamo Giocando (All levels welcome)
This series is dedicated to learning and practicing Italian through fun games and activities.
We'll be playing a variety of games form "Scopa" to "Indomimando" (charades) to storytelling games, to Saltinmente (Scattergories)... all in Italian!
After all, playing is the most natural (and fun) way to learn!! :) 
Feel free to bring your own games (if adaptable to Italian), and suggest ideas for games and activities!
ALL LEVELS WELCOME (including native speakers).
RSVP is necessary, a waiting list will be available.
Cinema ItaliaMo! - (Level A1 and higher)
In this series we will use Italian films (shorts and feature length) as an instrument to access and analyze the language and some interesting aspects of contemporary Italian culture. 
Please note that these lessons are appropriate for speakers of specific levels which will be communnicated in the description of each meeting (some previous knowledge of the language is necessary, go to the end of the page if you would like to self-assess your level).
IMMAGINI ITALIANE...  -  (Level A1 and higher)
From prehistoric cave paintings to current visual aids, humans have always represented reality through images, which is no surprise considering that sight is the strongest of our senses and the biggest source of information about our surrounding world. 
In our series “IMMAGINI ITALIANE…” we will use photos to incite conversation and discussions (in the target language) on particular aspects of Italian history, culture and, of course, language.
We will use an array of humoristic, dramatic and cultural photos that will encourage students to speak in the target language while discovering new ways of thinking and being  ;)
These meetings will be appropriate for level A1 level speakers and higher (some previous knowledge of the language is necessary, follow this link if you would like to self-assess your level http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/education/elp/elp-reg/Source/assessement_grid/assessment_grid_english.pdf ).
COSE D'ITALIA  (Level A1 and higher)
In this series we will explore (in Italian of course!)  some important "cose italiane" (geography, history, institutions, food, art etc.) to discover together how our culture directly influences how we use our language.
Dalla storia della nostra bandiera ai nostri registi famosi, dalla nostra tradizione culinaria alla commedia dell'arte... Per conoscere meglio il BEL PAESE! ;)

Online Literature Discussion Group       (Intermediate-Advanced students)
During each meeting we will explore in depth a short literature passage from authors like Calvino, Pavese, Rodari, Pasolini, Sciascia and Verga.
We will mostly focus on contemporary authors and the chosen pieces will allow for further discussions on themes like family, vocation and the relationship between humans and nature.
Students will receive the pieces a few days before each meeting to allow the time to read and analyze the piece before the discussion.
Contact us through email to inquire about the literature discussion group calendar and availability.
Impara in Cucina!        (Level A1 and higher - 21 and older)
The lessons will be held in a state of the art kitchen.
In each class we will prepare one typical Italian dish (that we will enjoy at the end of class!) and we will draw inspiration from the recipe  to introduce and analyze grammatical structures, lexicon, idioms etc.
Trenette al pesto, Giardiniera di verdure, Polenta, Bucatini all'amatriciana, Olive all'ascolana, Fagioli all'uccelletto, Strudel di mele... these are only some of the dishes we'll learn to prepare! And of course we'll learn to pair wine with all these dishes ;)
Contact us through email to inquire about the "Impara in Cucina!" course calendar and availability.
Learn Italian through DRAMA and STORYTELLING (Level A2 and higher)
This course will meet once a week for 8 weeks in a theater rehearsal space.
Each meeting will last 3h. This course is a great opportunity to improve your Italian in a full-immersion environment. Guided by the teacher, students will use and hone their language skills to create a story, describe characters, create costumes and set design, write out lines and finally act out the different roles in a safe and relaxed environment.
Contact us through email to inquire about this course calendar and availability.
LABORATORIO DI SCRITTURA – online and in-person – (Level A2 and higher)
"È bello scrivere perché riunisce le due gioie: parlare da solo e parlare a una folla” (Cesare Pavese).
In this course you will hone your writing skills through activities and games that will inspire your creativity and imagination and will get you writing in a fun, relaxed way.
During the course we will explore different text types and genres, equipping the students with the necessary instruments to identify and use the techniques and strategies typical of each form, from the simple postcard, to novels, newspaper articles, instructions etc.
Email us to inquire about this course calendar and availability.

PRIVATE & GROUP LESSONS - online and in-person (All levels)

In our private and group classes we use a student-centered method, tailoring the programs around the level and needs of our students, and we use preferably authentic materials (music, movies, art, food etc.) to create a truly unique and personalized learning experience and help students stay engaged and motivated.
We very much believe in a “learning by doing” approach and we strive to create a relaxed and friendly environment in which students feel free to try and experiment with the language and participate actively to the lessons.
We like to use a teaching method based on communication, in which students actively exercise the fundamental functions of the language. We give particular attention to conversation, in order to develop the students’ ability to express themselves and communicate in Italian from the very beginning of the course. Naturally this method includes the study of syntax and grammar, as they are essential to the learning process, but which alone are insufficient for gaining a true command of the language.
We are very passionate about all aspects of the teaching/learning process and we love to help our students acquire the communicative language competences (CEFR) which will help them succeed and realize their life goals.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Self-assessment Grids by the Council of Europe
Use the grids as a "guide" to determine your level.