Italian language classes
The Stanford in Florence Program offers Italian language instruction at all levels, allowing students—from complete beginners to those seeking to refine advanced skills—to enroll in the course most appropriate to their proficiency. Placement is determined directly by the Stanford Language Center (see below for more details). Our Italian language instructors adopt a student-centered methodology that emphasizes grammatical accuracy, oral fluency, and confidence, enabling students to connect classroom learning directly with their everyday experiences in Florence.
They are dynamic and interactive—you will use Italian from day one! Classes focus on real-life situations, group work, and cultural discussions.
Not at all! Learning Italian for the first time in an authentic environment will be an important component of your participation in the Program. In fact, our beginner Italian course is designed to support your learning and give you the essential tools to engage with the city around you.
Of course! Your Language Instructors offer dedicated office hours and can help you create a personalized learning strategy. For additional resources, see the question below.
Absolutely! You can join our weekly conversation hour Quattro Chiacchiere and study meetups Compiti in Compagnia. See our page on co-curriculars for more information.
Join the Friends a Firenze Program (FaF) to meet local university students, practice your Italian with them, and experience the city like a true Florentine.
On-site Language Requirement and Placement
Program participants are required to study Italian once in Florence. Course enrollment will be determined by the Language Center on the basis of students’ placement level or previous coursework. All students, including native speakers, are expected to demonstrate their level of language ability (writing, verbal and reading) by providing results of a recent language placement test (taken within 1 year) or previous Stanford coursework. Students who have already begun Italian language coursework at Stanford will be placed according to the last class completed and should not take a placement test. Please see here for the placement test process and schedule. For any questions, please contact the Language Center (languagecenter@stanford.edu) with "BOSP" specified in the subject line.