Sunset in Venice, Italy

Learn Italian in Venice

Learn Italian in Venice, soak up the culture, history, grace and charm of this truly unique location, which we are sure you will fall in love with.

7 classrooms
Terrace overlooking the square
Library with multi-media materials
Self-study room
Course materials included
Wi-Fi throughout the building
Member of Eduitalia and ASILS
Approved for CSN and Bildungsurlaub programmes
Student room with a microwave and hot drinks facilities
Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research

Our school in Venice

Learn Italian in Venice’s Dorsoduro district and experience the sights and sounds of a city like no other! Home to some of the most remarkable churches and palazzos the city has to offer, as well as key cultural sites such as the Gallerie dell’Accademia and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, you certainly won’t be bored here. Other attractions within easy walking distance of the school are: the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a breath-taking palazzo-turned-museum now dedicated to the Venetian artist Tintoretto; the Cavalli-Franchetti cultural exhibition centre; and La Fenice opera house, where works by composers such as Rossini, Bellini, and Verdi were first premiered. Since the facility is just a short walk from the banks of the Grand Canal, you can also easily access the attractions overlooking this famous waterway, including the International Gallery of Renaissance Art, Campo Bella Vienna, and the renowned Rialto Bridge.

With just 7 classrooms, this school can offer highly personalised attention to each of its students and thus enable maximum language development. Located in an historic building just off a bustling campo, this language centre has its own terrace which overlooks the street. The building has a self-study room with cinema facilities, so you can supplement your language learning by watching Italian films. You’ll also benefit from the school’s library and its multimedia resources. As well, you’ll have access to the student room, which has a microwave, a kettle, and tea-/coffee-making facilities, allowing you to get refreshments in between or after your lessons without needing to stray far (though, if you’d rather get a drink elsewhere, there’s a café just across the road!). Please note that this language centre is accessed by a set of stairs, so may not be suitable for students with mobility problems.

This school opened its doors to international students wanting to learn Italian in 1998, so has over 20 years of experience teaching pupils of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Its methodology is officially recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education, meaning we can guarantee that its courses are of the highest quality. The school is a member of Eduitalia International Education, the Association of Italian Second-Language Schools (ASILS), and the Tandem International Language Schools Group, all of which dedicate themselves to maintaining consistently high standards of language tuition. The courses offered are also approved for CSN programmes. What’s more: this school is located in a very central area of the city, allowing you to fully experience day-to-day life here. The nearby public square is a central meeting place for locals and is often filled with Italians enjoying a coffee, waiting for a friend, or perusing one of the pop-up markets. With several water taxi docks nearby, you’re also ideally placed to explore the wider districts, the mainland, and even the other islands in the Lagoon.

Photos

Students outside school entrance
Learning Italian
Small class sizes
Having fun in class

Venice

For a taste of the best of Italian history and art, learn Italian in Venice and see what all the fuss is about for yourself! This world-famous city - which is often called a ‘living museum’ for the sheer variety of its visible history - is actually an archipelago, comprised of 118 individual islands. Nestled in the northern Adriatic Sea, Venice is the largest car-free urban area in Europe and therefore a great location for walkers. The separate parts of the city and many of the surrounding islands are connected by bridges, allowing you to hop easily from one side to the other. If there isn’t a bridge, don’t worry - simply zip across the Lagoon in one of the many water taxis or ferries! Since the city is linked to the mainland by the Ponte della Liberta causeway, you can easily visit the districts in the wider metropolitan area as well.

Founded by 12 influential families, Venice amassed its fortunes from the sea that surrounds it and was, during the Middle Ages, the world’s foremost naval power. Its strong ties with Eastern Asia and northern Africa at this time shaped the characteristic architectural styles found around the city. From the 13th century onwards Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe, dominating the worldwide salt trade and holding a monopoly on Mediterranean commerce. To show off their wealth, the ruling families competed to build the grandest palazzos, employing some of the most famous names in European art to help them display their superiority. Because of its prestige, Venice has also had a notable influence on the Italian language; words such as arsenal, ghetto, gondola, lagoon, regatta, and the ubiquitous ciao all come from the region's dialect!

One thing is for sure: you’ll be spoilt for choice for things to do here. Whether you want to visit one of the many museums, galleries, or historic monuments scattered across the city, take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, visit the beach on the Lido, go shopping in Rialto, explore the colourful island of Burano, see intricate Venetian glass being hand-crafted in Murano, or simply watch the world go by from one of the many pavement cafés, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience here!

With cool winters, hot humid summers, Venice is gorgeous at any time of year. Its central districts each have their own distinct character. The eastern Castello is home to the Arsenale, the site of the ancient dockyards that once formed the industrial hub of the city. In the northern Cannaregio you’ll find a slower pace of life, with morning markets and small cafés. The central San Polo and San Marco districts are the oldest parts of the city and are home to attractions such as St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the striking La Fenice opera house. In the southern Dorsoduro, you’ll find some of the most impressive buildings in the city; it’s here that our Italian language school is located.

Courses in Venice

Available courses

    The standard Intensive course offered by this school consists of 20 group lessons each week, held in the morning from 09:00 to 13:00 every weekday. You’ll be placed in a group that’s organised according to ability level, and there’s a maximum of just 12 students per class, giving each participant the opportunity for personalised attention from the tutor. An evening Intensive course is available from 16:30 to 20:30 for those unable to attend morning classes.

    Please note: if you have no knowledge of Italian you will need to start your course on a specific date - contact us to find out about available start dates for beginners.

    If you feel you need extra support with your studies or want to study certain topics, we recommend that you book private lessons so you can receive expert tuition that can be customised to your specific requirements. You’ll have 20 one-to-one lessons per week on the standard package, but can book more if you wish. Semi-private tuition is available on request for two students with the same starting ability level.

    Though private lessons are extremely beneficial in terms of learning, a full course is not for everyone - why not combine the best parts of both types of tuition with an Intensive + Private package? You can add an extra 5 or 10 one-to-one classes per week to your core Intensive programme, which is an ideal way to make significant progress whilst still experiencing the social aspect of group classes. Beginners should ensure that their group sessions start on the correct date.

    For a more culturally in-depth experience, we highly recommend the school’s Italian & Cookery programme, which consists of the core Intensive course plus one 3-hour cookery workshop each week. The cookery lesson takes place on a Thursday evening between 17:00 and 20:00 in the school’s kitchen; you’ll learn how to read Italian recipes and how to prepare traditional local food, and then you’ll enjoy the three-course meal you’ve cooked with a glass of wine! This course is available throughout the year and is open to students with A1 or higher Italian ability.

    Students interested in art, history, and architecture should book the school’s History of Art course, a specialised package offered outside the classroom. On this programme you’ll spend 3 hours per day exploring various parts of the city and learning about its key artistic attractions. Lessons usually take place in the morning between 09:30 and 12:30, although this timetable may vary depending on the opening times of the attractions to be visited. Entrance to all churches, palazzos, and museums is included in the programme price. This course is available for 1 or 2 weeks at any time of year between March and November. Tuition on the course is given in Italian, so you’ll need to have at least B1 Italian proficiency in order to be able to follow the content. Kindly note that this course does not include Italian language tuition, though you can combine this programme with the evening Intensive course to receive a fully rounded immersive experience.

    On the first day of lessons, you should arrive at the school at 08:30 in order to sit your level test. This test is used to assess your starting language ability and place you in a group that’s most suitable for that skill level. This provides students with the best possible opportunity to improve their Italian knowledge, regardless of their starting level.

    At the end of your course you’ll receive a certificate of achievement, which can be used to demonstrate the language ability level you have reached during your course.

    Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us today to see if we can arrange a bespoke package for you!

    Accommodation

    Available accommodation

      The best way to make the most of your time in Venice is to stay with a local homestay host! All hosts live in central Venice so are often within walking distance of the school. If you select this type of accommodation you’ll stay with a native Italian speaker and be able to practice Italian with them, enabling you to continue to learn even outside the classroom. Hosts offer private single or double* bedrooms and a comfortable environment for you to stay during your language course. Bed linens and towels are included as standard; bathroom facilities are shared with your host. This type of lodging is offered on a self-catering basis, meaning you’ll have access to the kitchen to cook your meals. Your host will likely be more than happy to advise on the best places to buy local produce!

      If you prefer a higher standard of accommodation, you can stay in the new student residence, which is located just 10 minutes’ walk from the language centre. This newly renovated building offers bright single or double* suites, each with their own private bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette. Rooms are decorated to a high quality, making this option ideal for anyone looking for luxury during their time in Venice. All rooms have heating and air-conditioning, as well as Wi-Fi access. The residence building boasts a communal garden, a restaurant and bar, a gym, several study rooms, a laundry room, and on-site bicycle storage. There is also a 24-hour reception desk, so someone is always on-hand to provide assistance should you need it. This type of lodging is available on a self-catering basis, giving you the freedom to cook for yourself using your room’s kitchenette.

      All accommodation is available between 08:30 and 23:30 on the Sunday before your course starts until 10:00 on the Saturday after your course finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights in your accommodation for you if needed - please contact us about this prior to making your booking.

      *Twin rooms are only available to students travelling together. If you select a twin room but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room.

      Activities

      To truly experience the city, why not take part in the school’s activity programme? Activities are arranged to be educational and entertaining - they’ll also help you to get to know your fellow students. Each session is conducted in Italian and therefore complements your classroom learning with experience in real-life scenarios.

      Many activities are available free of charge, though some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:

      - Guided walking tours of the city, including discussions afterwards of key aspects of the places you’ve visited
      - Visits to Museum Mile and/or art galleries
      - Free grammar workshops
      - Aperitifs on the beach
      - Italian film screenings and/or trips to musical performances/shows, followed by a discussion
      - Cookery classes
      - Lectures/seminars on cultural topics such as the history of the gondola, the city districts, and Italian poetry
      - Trips to workshops of local artisans, such as glassblowers, mask maskers, and the gondola squeri
      - Visits to the famous Rialto market to taste local produce
      - Full-day excursions to islands in the Lagoon
      - Plus seasonal activities available in the local area

      Our colleagues at the school will be happy to advise you about other available activities offered by specialist local providers. If the school is closed for a national holiday, one of the above activities will be arranged.

          Sample activity programme

      How to get there

      Venice is served by two airports: Marco Polo and Treviso. Marco Polo is the closest, located around a 20-minute drive from the city, and is easily accessible from many European locations.

      From here, you can either take public transport to your accommodation or we can arrange an airport transfer service for you for an additional charge. If you book this service, a driver will be waiting for you when you land and will take you directly to your accommodation. If you select this service on departure as well, you will be collected from your lodging on your last day and taken back to your chosen airport in time for your departing flight.

      Please note that this service is only available at Marco Polo Airport; if you are flying into Treviso Airport, you will need to arrange your own transportation to your lodging.

      You should arrange to arrive in Venice on the Sunday before your course starts and depart on the Saturday after your programme finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.

      Location: Dorsoduro district, Venice
      Nearest convenience store: across the road!
      Nearest café: 62 m
      Nearest metro stop: N/A
      Nearest bus stop: N/A
      Nearest water taxi dock: 350 m (Ca’ Rezzonico)
      Distance from train station: 1.2 km
      Distance from airport: 14 km (Marco Polo Airport)


      Location of our school in Venice

      Course

      4.3 / 5
      Accommodation

      4.1 / 5
      School Staff

      4.4 / 5
      Average score for our school in Venice based on 62 previous client reviews.

      Student reviews & feedback

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      The teachers were excellent and the afternoon activities were very interesting. I am 62 years old and normally over the past 20 years I have been mostly one of the older and in one case the oldest in the class. This time I was one of the younger. It was a pleasure being in the presence of people who have had such a rich experience of life.

      My host was most pleasant. We had some really good conversations in Italian. My room was very comfortable.

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      On-line art history courses - excellent clear language and very knowledgeable teacher.

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      The school is delightful. The staff don’t change much so you feel as if you are coming home each year that you attend. They are good teachers, friendly and very amenable.

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      Course was good and the teachers very good, for the most part. I felt I learned a lot and was given every opportunity to practise. There were no 'hidden surprises' and the school staff all appeared very professional as well as friendly and welcoming. The walks organised by the teachers in the afternoons were excellent as was the cookery session.

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      The school in Venice is exceptionally good from every point of view. In particular they offer extra sessions in the afternoons which are interesting and give more language practice. The staff are all charming and helpful.

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      The school was in a beautiful location. The entire staff was friendly and helpful and the course material was very enjoyable. I learned so much in just two weeks!

      My housing was very close to my school and in a great location. The whole apartment was clean and modern. My host was friendly and accommodating.

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      I really enjoy the courses at this Istituto. The staff are amaingly friendly. They are very good teachers and the school organises at least one thing every afternoon which is in Italian and which is free. All in all it is a great experience . My view is endorsed by the number of returners who go back every year to the same school.

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      The teacher were very kind and able to explain the gramatic always speaking Italian. I was also really pleased I could change the level. Also the activities which are offered in the noon are great. I liked it the other students where also kind.

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      the quality of teaching at the school was excellent. the other activities provided by the school (guided tours etc) made the experience wonderful. I would go back to the same school for another course as I thought it was excellent.

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      My experience surpassed my expectations. The instructors were truly dedicted to having us learn the language, and found ways to keep the class interesting and entertaining, as well as instructive. My pleasure in the program was heightened by the quality of the other students who seem to be attracted to this program. This really was an outstanding experience for me, and I hope to be able to repeat it in the not too distant future.

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      Course was excellent. 1 week is nowhere near enough time, I was just getting into my stride when I had to return home. I did have a wonderful time and would highly recommend the course and your company. My accommodation was clean, spacious and quiet which is just what i needed. The location was good as it was not too near to the school which meant I had to walk and find my bearings. This was beneficial.

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      Studying in Venice was simply fantastic. The teachers are incredibly friendly yet always professional, and there were moments of true hilarity in our lessons, thanks to the great mix of students in class. Venice is beautiful and so are the people - go there!

      Stefania, Giuseppe and Mariano are wonderful hosts. We made fast friends, yet also I always felt I had my own space and had the freedom to do as I wished since there was great respect either way in our relationship. The apartment was spacious and airy, very clean and tidy and very well equipped. It was a reasonable walk from the school (about 25-30 minutes fast-walking) but I found this enjoyable.

      My three weeks in Venice made for a fantastic, unforgettable life experience. Thank you.

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      An excellent course. Mature students which was nice - I had feared a class of 15-year-olds! Well qualified teachers with language study backgrounds who spoke only Italian - ALL the time. Small class and intensive teaching - 4 hours, one break only. Would definitely do it again - and for a longer period. School is in a super part of Venice - lively, convenient, with all kinds of shops and bars on the doorstep.

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      The course was excellent, although I felt that I was getting ahead of the rest of the class by the end of a week. The course was interesting, with good changes of theme, pace, teaching method throughout the day/week. I am particularly glad that I enrolled for the 1 hr private lessons as well. The lady that I stayed with was lovely, very friendly, helpful and chatty. The location was perfect - very central

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      The school is in a good central location - interesting mixture of people attending and varying ages so even if you're over 49 you don't feel too old!

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      Excellent - thoroughly worthwhile and enjoyable. My confidence came on in leaps and bounds. I intend to go on the Rome course next year.

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      The course was excellent, the staff flexible and informative. The accommodation was perfectly adequate, I was pleased to have a fellow student there too.

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      Very practical and customer oriented. Whenever we brought up a subject, they spend time on that item and elaborated on that. They had a method, but that was not the holy grale.

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      It was very enjoyable and edcuational. I really enjoyed the whole four weeks. My teachers were especially excellent, really engaging and thorough.

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      Good teachers and a very nice group of students. From all over the world. I had a great time. The school is very well managed and is beautifully situated. I am overwhelmed. A perfect week for learning and socializing.

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      Everything was great, nothing to add. Thank you! Just wish you to continue this succesful project

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      The course was good and the teachers were very friendly. I think a lesson on Venice, its history and culture would have been a good start to the course. The accomodation was lovely and Marina was a kind and charming hostess. Info about the local area would have been useful. I was very happy to stay at Marina's and would hope to return sometime.

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      The course was very pleasant and highly instructive. I was not bored for a minute. I am thinking of going back and add an individual lesson in the afternoon.

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      It was a bit difficult to find the school, but our teacher was excellent and we really enjoyed the lessons which helped us understand our wedding ceremony.

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      The school was fantastic in a good location and the staff were friendly and approachable. The students were a good mix of ages and I had a great time there.

      The room at my accommodation was large and clean....the host was very friendly though the cat was very noisey in the mornings!!!!

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      Good tuition, good location and enjoyed the course. As a beginner, struggled with the tenses and variations of verbs. Both teachers were very good

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      Two teachers shared the lessons for my private course, total 4 hours daily. Very knowledgeable, friendly, well-prepared.

      I stayed in a hotel, right by San Marco, very comfortable and centrally situated but quiet.

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      School in Venice was excellent. I am a language teacher and so am particularly critical of language lessons but I found that the teachers at the school were brilliant - very good at ensuring that Italian was used throughout lessons, explaining grammar in Italian, and using a wide range of materials and approaches to make lessons interesting. It was a very good idea to have to different teachers each day - at a previous language school I attended we had the same teacher throughout the two weeks that I was there. I also enjoyed the free activities that were organised such as themed walks around Venice. A fantastic experience and one which I intend to repeat!

      As I wasn't studying a particular course my tutors were advised to adapt their teaching to my individual wishes in our one-to-one lessons.These were based on the limited information I gave in my application form.This must have made things quite difficult for those organising my tuition.In the event the flexible approach adopted was superb and was especially appreciated because of my age. My particular tutors were a delight to work with, Valentina and Marco were incredibly helpful, patient and considerate.They are gifted tutors and they ensured that I enjoyed the course immensley.The school is obviously run in a highly efficient manner by the Principal who, I am sure,was responsible for co-ordinating and monitoring my lessons.

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      I really enjoyed it. The classes were based around grammar and speaking activities and the topics and materials were appropriate for the ages and nationalities of the students. The teachers were delightful.

      It was probably the best language school I have been to. The one in Taormina was also very good but I was very much a beginner at that point.

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      An interesting and well organized but challenging course. The instructors (especially Betta and Alberto) were approachable and helpful. Classes were small (about 10 people) which allowed good instructor-student contact time. My accommodations were comfortable and within easy walking distance of all amenities (20 minutes to the school, 10 minutes to the train). My hostess was pleasant and interesting and I hope would return to her and her "Ghetto" apartment tomorrow, if I could. The location of the school on Campo Santa Margherita is fabulous. Just around the corner from the school is an old movie set where the 1958 movie "Summertime" with Katherine Hepburn and Rosanno Brazzi was shot.

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      It was better than I even hoped it would be. The 2 teachers I had, Roberta & Silvia, were fantastic. I really feel like I learnt so much in a short time; it was great! The accommodation was tranquil & really lovely. I want to return asap!

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      This was a great experience, the only negative is that there were 14 people in the class and it was a bit hard (and occasionally quite noisy) but the teachers were very skilled and managed it well. The two teachers I had (Veronica and Elisabetta) were really excellent.

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      I was very pleased with the teachers and with the variety of materials and methods used. The combination of group lessons in the morning and private in the afternoon worked well for me. I just wish I could have stayed longer!

      The office staff at the school in Venice and my teacher were wonderful.

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      I had two excellent teachers and the time simply flew by, which must mean I was having fun. All the students took the course seriously and did the homework every day. The social programme was excellent too. I had a pleasant double room in the home of a lady of around my own age which made conversation easy and I got plenty of opportunity to practice my conversational skills every day. I think Venice is the most magical place on earth and the opportunity to study there was a real bonus.

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      The teachers were excellent and gifted with controlling the learning experience along with supportive and fun. I would definitely join this class/school again.

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      The teachers were great and the accommodation was good.

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      My accommodation was in a bright, new building with daily maid-service and 24 hour concierge. The location in Guidecca was ideal. The class mix was fascinating... German, Danish, Russian,Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian and Czech among others. Some who had attended the course for two months on a full-time basis were quite fluent.

      School statistics

      Nationality (%)


      Austria (11)
      France (8)
      Germany (20)
      Japan (5)
      Netherlands (5)
      Others (25)
      Spain (4)
      Switzerland (4)
      Uk (8)
      Usa (10)

      Average Student Numbers



      Average ages (June - Aug)

      * Statistics considered correct at the time of publishing

      Student stories on our blog

      Prices for Venice

      Choose your course below to view our prices in pounds sterling (GBP), US dollars (USD) or euros (EUR).

      (b) = start dates suitable for complete beginners and all other levels
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