You know all the grammar but you still need help to put it together and sound like a native. You are capable of achieving most goals and express yourself on a range of topics.
Our Italian Language Teaching Program is anchored in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with an eye to the ACTFL’s World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages and it is driven by a didactic method that is the result of constant updates, professional certifications, and more than 15 years of experience in working with non-native speakers from different native languages and levels of knowledge.
Our courses are organized into six levels of proficiency each of them with particular communicative competencies in linguistic, sociolinguistic, and pragmatic. Further, they are subdivided into sub-groups according to expected knowledge, skills, and existential competencies for levels. In all our classes we will work on reception (listening and reading), production (spoken and written), interaction (spoken and written), and mediation (interpreting). Please note that at Speakitaly NYC, our approach involves gradual integration of the Italian language as students progress through the levels. As you advance to higher levels, the use of English decreases, and the emphasis on Italian increases accordingly.
The completion of the 10 week program for group classes does not guarantee the automatic passage to the next level as this is related to several factors such as the ability to speak, to write, and navigate grammar topics, for the whole group or for a single student. At the end of each term, our team will check and reassign the level when needed.
If you’re not sure what level is best for you, take our Placement Test today to find out!
A1 (Absolute beginner)
You have never studied Italian or you know the basics up to the Present Tense. We will be teaching you how to communicate and exchange information in a simple way.
LEVEL A1.1 & A1.2
You are a complete beginner and have no prior knowledge of the language or you have prior knowledge but basic and you don’t remember much.
LISTENING: I can recognise familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
READING: I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
WRITTEN: I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.
LEVEL A1.1 PLUS
You are a complete beginner and have no prior knowledge of the language or you have prior knowledge but basic and you don’t remember much.
You are what is called a “false beginner”, with prior knowledge but basic or you are a Spanish speaker or have been using learning apps like DuoLingo or Babbel.
LISTENING: I can recognize familiar words and basic phrases concerning myself, my family, and my immediate surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.
READING: I can understand familiar names, words, and simple sentences, for example on signs and posters or in catalogs.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics or use words sounding like another language I speak.
WRITTEN: I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know but don’t have a lot of confidence in grammar and spelling.
LEVEL A1.3 & A1.4
LISTENING: I listen to simple dialogues, listing things and concepts connected to every day life.
READING: I am following short and simple directions and can understand short texts (e.g. menus, registration forms, simple texts) and will be assessed on that.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I am conducting simple dialogs, in an informal way, related to everyday situations (ordering food, shopping…). I am improving my ability to describe a daily routine, a typical day. I am able to negate or confirm statements and to express likes and preferences. At the end of the semester, I am able to do a 5 minute individual oral presentation on topics related to my life.
WRITTEN: I am able to fill out hotel registrations forms, or state personal details. At the end of the semester, I can write a short text of 100/150 words in length about a topic studied.
A2 (Elementary)
You have studied Italian for a few months and it’s now time to learn the past and more complicated pronouns. The goal is to be able to deal with simple, straightforward information and begin to express oneself in familiar contexts.
LEVEL A2.1 & A2.2
LISTENING: I can understand phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). I can catch the main point in short, clear, simple messages and announcements.
READING: I can read very short, simple texts. I can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables and I can understand short simple personal letters.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities. I can handle very short social exchanges, even though I can’t usually understand enough to keep the conversation going myself. I can use a series of phrases and sentences to describe in simple terms my family and other people, living conditions, my educational background and my present or most recent job.
WRITTEN: I can write a series of simple phrases and sentences linked with simple connections like ‘ and’, ‘ but’ , and ‘because’.
LEVEL A2.3 & A2.4
LISTENING: I am improving my ability to understand simple interviews and telephone conversations, short songs, film or clips during language and culture workshops and through interaction with other students in class.
READING: I am able to understand simple literary and journalistic texts, instructions, announcements, songs, transcribed dialogues written texts.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I am able to ask and elicit information, to request advice in informal/formal situations. At the end of the semester, I can do a 10 min presentation. I can talk about past and future plans and events. At the end of the semester, I can express complaints and regrets individually and in simple role-plays.
WRITTEN: I can write short texts, such as emails and letters. I can write simple descriptive texts.
B1 Levels (Intermediate)
You are an Intermediate and you still have to study advanced forms of the language and several grammar matters. Your ability to express yourself in limited to familiar situations and you want to improve and deal in a general way with non-routinary information.
LEVEL B1.1 & B1.2
LISTENING:I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programs on current topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
READING: I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events). I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes & ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.
WRITTEN: I can write straightforward connected text on topics, which are familiar, or of personal interest.
LEVEL B1.3 & B1.4
LISTENING: I understand conversations in which people express a complaint or an agreement or disagreement. I am able to follow clear and well-constructed monologues aimed at giving instructions or describing places or objects.
READING: I read newspaper and magazine articles, advertisements, blogs, web sites on topics such as: work, the Internet, leisure time, life in the city, family, the environment and food. I work on literary text of contemporary Italian writers and forming an idea of contemporary social issues in Italy.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I am able to describe photographs, pictures, or statistics. I can make complains and express disappointment, disagreement and irritation. I am giving and receiving advice and recommendations. I can also give instructions and make suggestions. I am able to formulate hypotheses regarding situations and characters on the basis of images and photos. I can describe places and commonly-used objects. I can relate to others the content of literary texts and films.
WRITTEN: I am able to write short persuasive texts. I am able to invent short stories imagining fictional situations and people.
B2 Levels (Upper Intermediate)
LEVEL B2.1 & B2.2
LISTENING: I am able to write short persuasive texts. I am able to invent short stories imagining fictional situations and people.
READING: I can understand surveys, questionnaires, statistics and quizzes. At the end of the semester, I am able to read short literary or factual texts and reviews.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I am able to describe myself in particular situations. I can interview people on topics related to everyday life or future projects and study and answering similar interviews. I am taking part in discussions and role plays. The correct matching of structure, function and speech acts will form an integral part of the final oral exam. I report, using simple expressions, the experiences of everyday life, highlighting the positive or negative elements. I can also report messages to third parties.
WRITTEN: I can write personal letters, emails, short reports, messages and invitations. I can describe opinions and impressions in letters. At the end of the semester, I can produce texts which display a more complex awareness of stylistic repertoires.
LEVEL B2.3
LISTENING: I can understand extended speech and lectures and follow even complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar. I can understand most TV news and current affairs programs. I can understand the majority of films in standard dialect.
READING: I can read articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular stances or viewpoints. I can understand contemporary literary prose.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible. I can take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining my views. I can present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to my field of interest. I can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
WRITTEN: I can write clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects related to my interests. I can write an essay or report, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.
LEVEL B2.4
LISTENING: I am able to follow conversations and lectures about a familiar topic. I can understand TV / radio news programs and talk shows.
READING: I understand articles about contemporary issues and literary texts and my reading is gradually directed towards critical analysis. I can recognize different viewpoints.At the end of the semester, without the help of a dictionary, I can understand a newspaper article or an interview (400-500 words) related to a topic previously dealt with.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I am able to express ideas and assumptions. I am justifying opinions and giving advice. I do short presentations. I can express ideas and assumptions. I’m improving fluency and expanding vocabulary. At the end of the semester, I am able to prepare a 5-minute presentation based on one of the study material.
WRITTEN: I am able to compile complex questionnaires or forms. I can write clear and detailed instructions. I am able to describe thoughts and feelings in correspondence. I can write descriptive or expository texts on current issues (300 words).
C1 Levels (Advanced)
No courses are available at the moment. Interested? Contact us!
LEVEL C1
LISTENING: I can understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly. I can understand television programs and films without too much effort. I listen to and understand video programs, documentaries, feature films, interviews, oral reports, and speeches.
READING: I can understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating distinctions of style. I can understand specialised articles and longer technical instructions, even when they do not relate to my field. I understand complex factual and literary texts in a wide variety of registers. I am comprehending a variety of opinions and implicit statements, i. e. satire and irony.
SPOKEN INTERACTION: I can express myself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. I can use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I can formulate ideas and opinions with precision and relate my contribution skilfully to those of other speakers. I can present clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects integrating sub-themes, developing particular points and rounding off with an appropriate conclusion. I am able to express ideas clearly and fluently in debates on a wide range of subjects, including current affairs, social and political events, cinema, literature. I can to discuss a wide range of issues and subjects with a special focus on literature.
WRITTEN: I can express myself in clear, well-structured text, expressing points of view at some length. I can write detailed expositions of complex subjects in an essay or a report, underlining what I consider to be the salient issues. I can write different kinds of texts in a style appropriate to the reader in mind. I can develop expository and argumentative skills. I am able to summarize fairly complex texts from a variety of genres. I analyze and compare concrete and theoretical situations. I am able to present considered arguments in response to complex questions. At the end of the semester, I can write a 2500 word essay of literary criticism.
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