Study, Learn & Live the Italian Language!
Italy has thousands of years of history and the Italian language enables you to access art, cinema, literature, business, travel and relationships in Italian. On this page, you’ll find the information you need to start learning Italian with us: the official Italian Cultural Institute in South Africa.
Fees: Please contact us for the fees
B1 Citizenship
Preparatory courses for the mandatory exam to obtain the Italian Citizenship. Lean more
Online Studies
You can attend all our classes from the comfort of your home or office.
Mother tongue teachers
Our courses are held by Italian mother tongue teachers, all levels.
Our Courses Offering
The Institute’s mission is to spread the Italian language and culture. We are committed to offering Italian language and cultural courses for those wishing to learn. If your Institution does not yet offer an Italian course, do not hesitate to Contact us
Online Group Courses
one of our most porpular offerings.
The best and more convenient way to learn Italian from the comfort of your home.
Fees: Please contact us for the fees
In Person Group Courses
Study Italian at the German School in Pretoria, Deutsche Internationale Schule Pretoria click here
Schedule: on Tuesday at 6pm
Fees: Please contact us for the fees
Private Lessons
Our private lessons are ideal for individuals or small groups (2 to 3 persons) that have specific requirements.
Fees: Please contact us for details
Calendar 2024
CHOOSE YOUR TERM
Term 1: 17 Jan – 20 March (SOLD OUT)
Term 2: 10 Apr – 20 June (register by 4th of April)
Term 3: 9 July – 20 Sept
Term 4: 01 Oct – 13 Dec
Register Today!
Seats are limited. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn Italian.
Enrol today
WHY
Why Learn Italian?
Business Travel & Communication
Italy has the 8th highest GDP in the world. Speaking Italian will definitely facilitate business, travel and communication in Italy.
More Perspective on Arts & Culture
Italy is rich in arts and culture based on the Italian language and they’re often not translated. From literature to cinema, you’ll be able to enjoy them all, like an Italian.
Family
If you have Italian family or Italian ancestry, learning Italian will complete and complement your heritage.
Become a Better Learner
By learning another language you expand your cultural reach and the social interactions you can have.
Increase your Job Opportunities
In 2020, Italy exported a total of $481 Bn, making it the number 7 exporter in the world. Italian companies are always looking for new employees that can speak Italian and another language. Likewise, South African firms wanting to export to Italy, or do business with Italy, are looking for professionals that can speak Italian.
Speak With More People
Over 77,000 people speak Italian in South Africa. If you enjoy the many social and cultural events organised in South Africa by the Italian institutions, you’ll find that speaking Italian is not only useful but you will enjoy those events even more and meet new people.
CHOOSE US
Why Learn With Us?
Official Italian Institute
The Italian Cultural Institute (Istituto Italiano di Cultura – IIC) is one among the official institutions for the diffusion of the Italian language and culture.
Hundreds of students
With hundreds of happy students that completed our courses in the past years, we cover any need from business to personal.
Located in South Africa
We’re located in Pretoria and we understand the peculiarity of learning a European Language in Africa ?
B1 Citizenship
We are an exam venue for the CILS B1 for Citizenship purposes (issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena, Italy), one of the official Italian language exams that is mandatory for any new citizenship.
Teacher
The Institute avails itself of the collaboration of native Italian speaking teachers, who with competence and dedication, teach, together with the language, also the culture of the Bel Paese.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Students Say
I was very scared of learning a new language, in the beginning, but I really needed to learn Italian for work. I’m so glad I found the Italian Institute of Culture. Not only the teachers are nice and they go at my pace, but it is so convenient o interact with them online, saving time and petrol. Thank you IIC.
Jane Botha
Learning Italian for Business
I am extremely glad that I found the Italian Cultural Institute, because not only are the teachers amazing, but the courses are brilliantly structured and constantly keep on improving my Italian language skills. I would gladly recommend the institute to anybody interested in Italian culture.
Eujean Snyman
Group Course Italian Student
Frequently Asked Questions
Is learning Italian difficult?
Our mother tongue teachers make it as easy and fun as possible to learn Italian. Plus, Italian has a similar grammar structure to French, Spanish and Portuguese. So if you know one f these languages, you’ll find it very easy. If not, once you learn Italian it will be easy for you to pick up any of the other latin languages mentioned above.
If I miss a Group Class, can I reschedule it?
Group classes cannot be rescheduled, but you will be given all the material/support to catch up with the rest of the class.
If I miss a Private Class, can I reschedule it?
Private lessons may be rescheduled if cancelled at least 48 hours before the lesson is due, otherwise the lesson will be charged in full.
Do I need to speak Italian to get Italian citizenship?
Yes, it’s one of the requirements and our courses are certified to prepare you for the B1 exam that enables the passport request. For further information, please visit the Consulate general website by clicking here.
When can I start?
- You can start at the beginning of a new term – We follow the public school terms:
Calendar 2022
Term 1: 17 Jan – 17 March (register by 15 Dec) (SOLD OUT)
Term 2: 4 Apr – 15 June (register by 10 March) (SOLD OUT)
Term 3: 19 July – 20 Sept (register by 20 June)
Term 4: 10 Oct – 8 Dec (register by 14 Sept)
- There will be no classes between terms and on national holidays.
- Each group package (36 hours), will be used during each term.
- At the end of each term, you will send a new registration form and pay for the new term
On Italian citizenship
- HOW DOES IT WORK? – We offer a preparatory course for the mandatory exam to obtain Italian citizenship by marriage, issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena. You can join any of our beginner’s group courses and progress to B1 level (All courses start from A1 Beginner level as a base. Once you finish level B1, you will move into a specific class to prepare for the B1 Cit. examination).
- HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAM? – It should take you about 3/4 years of studying in a group course, provided you attend all classes and study outside your normal class time (20-30 min a day or more is desirable).
- WHERE DO I SIT THE EXAM? – We are an authorized centre to administer the CILS certification offered by the University for Foreigners of Siena, so you will register with us and sit the exam at this institute. For more information on the CILS B1 Citizenship certification, please contact: iicpretoria.corsi@esteri.it
Do you offer in-person lessons?
Yes – in our network of schools
Authentic Italian Cooking & Language Course
Coming Soon
Book A Course Today!
This is a decision that can have great positive impact on your life. Expand your knowledge, relationships and experience learning Italian from the official Italian Cultural Institute in South Africa.
