Italian language and culture
Welcome to our Italian language and culture courses page! Discover the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Italian culture in Italy while living in picturesque Sicily.
Here’s everything you need to know about our wide range of offerings, designed to provide an enriching and comprehensive experience.
Discovering Italian culture in Sicily
Exploring Italy’s rich heritage
Starting from Leonardo da Vinci a Dante Alighieri, Italy offers an enchanting cultural landscape. And, among the many regions of the Italian peninsula, Sicily stands out, rich in history and tradition.
At IH Catania Italian Language School, our Italian Cultural Center provides deep dives into various aspects of Italian life.
Course overview
Our courses aim to give you a thorough understanding of Italy’s cultural heritage, perfect for fans of the intricacies of Italian culture.
You’ll learn about Sicily’s vibrant history, art, and influence while enhancing your Italian language skills.
Our approach to Italian language and culture
Immersive learning experience
Learning Italian naturally piques interest in Italy’s rich cultural tapestry.
Our courses emphasize cultural content over linguistic aspects, allowing you to live and breathe Italian society.
You’ll acquire a genuine Italian identity, discover its cuisine, and explore its cities.
Comprehensive Curriculum
As you know, the Italian culture landscape is not limited to Central Italy (Latium, Tuscany and Campania).
In our Culture course curriculum, you’ll explore Italian literature with a focus on the Sicilian writers, Sicilian art history and history, and much more, all within small, engaging groups.
Although courses are conducted in Italian, the main goal is cultural immersion, helping you understand Italian art, cinema, literature, and history better.
Recommended Proficiency
We recommend participants have at least a B1 level of Italian proficiency to fully benefit from our advanced course materials.
This ensures a solid understanding of both written and spoken Italian.
Course offerings: a deep dive into sicilian culture
| History and Art History in Sicily | 2 week course. 2 lessons per day from Monday to Friday | € 950 |
| Cinema and Literature in Sicily | 2 week course. 2 lessons per day from Monday to Friday | € 950 |
| The Mafia and Cinema in Sicily | 2 week course. 2 lessons per day from Monday to Friday | € 950 |
History and Art History in Sicily
Explore the significant historical and artistic contributions of various civilizations that have influenced Sicily over the centuries.
From the Phoenicians to the Normans, each culture has left an indelible mark on the island, making the study of Sicilian history similar to studying the entire Mediterranean region.
Cinema and Literature in Sicily
Dive into Sicily’s rich cinematic and literary landscape, with over 2,000 films shot on the island.
Study iconic works like Giovanni Verga’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” and the TV series “Inspector Montalbano” by Andrea Camilleri, understanding how Sicily inspires filmmakers and writers alike.
The Mafia and Cinema in Sicily
Examine the portrayal of the Mafia in film and compare it with the historical and socio-political realities of the Sicilian Mafia.
This course aims to dispel myths and provide a deeper understanding of the Mafia’s impact on Sicily’s image and international perception.
Course structure and duration
Each course spans two weeks, with two lessons per day from Monday to Friday.
This intensive structure allows for a deep and immersive learning experience.
We recommend participants have a B1 proficiency level to keep up with the advanced content and Italian language requirements.
Course Costs
The total cost of our culture courses is € 900 for the two-week duration, with classes held twice daily.
This investment enriches your understanding of Sicilian culture and improves your Italian language skills in an engaging environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, there is no exact answer but the honest answer is that the more you are immersed in an intensive Italian course, the more fluent you will become in Italian. A longer Italian language course is always a good choice for those who want to achieve satisfactory results. However, not everyone has time available, so the truth is that even a one-week intensive course in Italy is still beneficial, although we recommend immersing yourself in the language for at least two or three weeks to really see the benefits.
In general, after two or three weeks of full exposure to the language our students automatically start thinking in Italian and sometimes even dream in Italian. If you have the privilege of more time, a six-month or even a year-long Italian course in Italy would be ideal to become fluent in Italian and no longer find yourself struggling to read a book, newspaper or magazine article, or even watch a film.
‘Rome was not built in a day’ and similarly ‘Italian cannot be learned in a week’!
Above all, in order to answer this crucial question, we have to remember that each one of us has our own time, way and style of learning when it comes to studying a foreign language. Just like with music or sport, learning a foreign language also partly depends on your natural talent.
If you have any questions or need more information, do not hesitate to contact us. We will welcome you with a quick response and a big smile!
When choosing an intensive Italian language course, make sure that the language school you enroll at has full accreditation.
When a school is accredited by national or international third-party bodies or is a member of a national or international association, it has successfully passed a series of inspections. These inspections check the quality of the school’s staff, organization, teaching methods, teachers and compliance with laws, all essential elements for ensuring quality for students. Bearing that in mind however, not all certifications mean that an independent third party has inspected the school. Some of these certifications are rather self-referential and only provide a ‘label’ for membership of the organization/association, without any actual school inspection. Your time and money are precious, so make sure that you are paying for a high-quality service. Certifications and accreditations serve to guarantee you of a transparent and professional service that meets all legal and professional requirements.
The school is closed on:
- Easter Monday
- Liberation Day (25/04)
- Labor Day (01/05)
- Republic Day(02/06)
- August bank holiday (15/08)
- All Saints’ Day (01/11)
- Immaculate Conception Day (8/12)
A discount will be made to make up for Public Holidays directly on the invoice on the following basis:
- INTENSIVE course – € 30
- COMBO course – € 70
- SUPER INTENSIVE course – € 65