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Italian 1

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Upcoming dates (2)

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For registration assistance: 608-262-2451

Schedule

Online Course materials available on Sept. 10, 2025
Live Sessions on Wednesdays, Sept. 17–Nov. 19, 5–6 p.m.
Online material access ends one one month after the last live session.

Registration through: September 09, 2025

All times shown in central time.

Fee

$269

Instructor

Dario Sponchiado

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancel before the class start date (the day materials are made available): and receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
  • Cancel after the class start date (the day materials are made available) but before the second virtual conversation session: receive an 80% refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
  • Cancel after the second virtual conversation session: no refund.

Summary

Watch this short video about why our online Language program is one of the best in the country!

This practical beginner's course (A1.1), designed by UW-Madison for adult language learners, explores the cultural richness of Italian culture while helping you master the basics of Italian. Learn to talk about life, family and travel with this popular course.

Our proven communicative approach emphasizes speaking competency while also building skills in listening, reading and writing. Learn the vocabulary and grammar necessary to communicate effectively in key social situations and while traveling. Textbook purchase required (used in Italian 1 and 2).

Prerequisite: None.

Find out if this is the right level for you with these placement tests: Italian 1 self-placement test, Italian 2 self-placement test.

Want to know more about learning a language online? Read Dr. Julie Dahl's blog post about our online course format.

Course format

For the first five weeks of the class, you will practice speaking in small groups during weekly 30-minute online sessions led by an experienced instructor. To get to know all of your classmates, your conversation time will vary between the first or second 30-minute time slot of the hour you registered for. You should be available for either.

For the second half of the course, weeks six through ten, you will meet with the entire group for the full hour. Your instructor will use breakout rooms to facilitate small group work.

The live online sessions begin one week after the scheduled course start date to allow time to work through the first unit of learning material in preparation for the live conversation practice.

Online course materials introduce new grammar and vocabulary and teach pronunciation, listening, and reading skills through videos, audio, and interactive exercises. Budget 4-5 hours a week to work through the online asynchronous content.

Course materials become available online on the scheduled course start date and remain accessible for one month after the course ends.

The required textbook is sold by many online vendors. Make sure to look for ISBN number 9789606931215. It is generally available on Amazon and at MEP Education.


Sections anticipated for fall 2025 (See Upcoming Dates for open sections and more detail):

Wednesdays, Sept. 10–Nov. 19, 5–6 p.m. CT

Tuesdays, Sept. 23–Dec. 9, 5:30–6:30 p.m. CT (No virtual conversation session on Nov. 25)

 

Earn Continuing Education Hours

By participating in this class you will earn:

Instructional Hours 45
University of Wisconsin Continuing Education Units 4.5

Explanation of Continuing Education Hours

Upcoming dates (2)

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Program Questions?

Contact Chris Moore at [email protected] or 608-262-7389

Registration Questions?

Email [email protected] or call 608-262-2451.

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Meet your instructors

Mirta Pagnucci

(PhD, UW-Madison) has been teaching Italian and French for many years at all levels from high school, to community college, to university.  A native Italian, she is enthusiastic and committed to her students. She enjoys sharing her cultural and linguistic background and learning from her students.

Dario Sponchiado

(MA, Milan State University) Originally from Milan, Italy, Dario has taught Italian in multiple countries before settling in the U.S. 10 years ago. Dario enjoys technologies applied to education and has a graduate certificate from CU-Boulder in Language Teaching with Technology.

Sara Paris

(Ph.D. candidate, UW-Madison) Originally from Italy, she has taught beginning through advanced Italian language courses for several years for the Italian department at UW-Madison and outside the academic setting. She is enthusiastic about working with adult learners since they bring different perspectives to class. She is inspired by their self-motivation, especially their curiosity about Italian culture and history.