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• PLACEMENT TEST

  • Start
    01 Sep 2024
  • End
    31 Dec 2026
  • Location
    ONLINE

  Register

  Placement Test

  Not sure in which class to register?

  We offer a professional Italian language proficiency evaluation for a $50 charge. The amount is reimbursable if you enroll in our classes.

  1. REGISTER ONLINE and PAY $50.

  2. Download, print and complete THIS PLACEMENT TEST.*

  3. Email a copy of the completed test to: sabrina@theitalianculturalcenter.org

  Sabrina Infante, Director of the Italian Language Program.

  You will be contacted within 72 hours to schedule a conversation with an instructor via Zoom to further assess your oral skills. We will then discuss the results, and determine which class best fits your language needs and personal goals. When you complete your first course, you may request reimbursement for the assessment.

  *The test is for new ICC students with some knowledge of Italian who are registering for our classes for the first time. Students registering for Beginner 1 do not need to take this test.

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• GIFT CERTIFICATES: Give the Gift of Italian Culture!

  • Start
    01 Sep 2024
  • End
    31 Dec 2026
  • Location
    ONLINE

  Register

  Give the Gift of Italian Culture!
  

  Italian Cultural Center Gift Certificates

  We are  happy to offer gift certificates for membership and classes at the ICC. 

  Giving a membership or language class as a present to your close friends and family is a unique and wonderful way to spread the joy of the Italian experience and to introduce them to a vibrant community of Italian native speakers, Italophiles  and millennia of Italian art, literature, culture and daily life. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving.

  Certificate options:

  -> $50 = Individual Membership

  -> $80 = Family Membership

  -> $120 = Membership + 1 Private Lesson

  -> $280 = One YOUTH term language class at any level (ages 3-17)

  -> $350 = One ADULT term language class at any level (ages 18 and older). 

  Membership is required to enroll in language classes.

  A perfect gift at any time of the year, and for any occasion, to say "Benvenuto" to the singular experience of all things Italian.

  Grazie mille!

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• Educational Travel 2025 - TORINO and Piemonte: SOLD OUT

  • Start
    20 Jan 2025
  •  
    6:00 AM
  • End
    18 Oct 2025
  • Location
    Torino, Italy
  • Spaces left
    9

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  I am delighted to invite you to Torino, my hometown, a true hidden gem off the beaten path, in the northwestern region of Piemonte, Italy.

  Torino has been described as Italy’s most elegant city, with its Baroque and Art Deco architecture, featuring a fascinating historic center with grand squares, cobbled streets, and art nouveau cafes. For centuries, Torino was the seat of the royal Savoy family and from 1861 to 1865 it was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy. 

  A vibrant and elegant city, seat of a prestigious University founded in 1404, Torino has a unique legacy that blends dedication for creativity and innovation, a strong literary and visual art tradition and a passion for good food and wine, as shown by the innumerable bars, restaurants and bookstores present throughout the city. 

  Torino offers a unique blend of history, art, culture and fantastic culinary and wine experiences.  With its proximity to UNESCO World heritage sites of Langhe and Monferrato — that we will visit — along with the lesser known but equally spectacular area of Vercellese, Torino is a fantastic destination for a memorable vacation. 

  I am looking forward to accompanying you on this trip and show you everything I know of this city and region that I love and still call home. 

  Astrid Garino, MD
  President, The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St.Paul

  .......................................

  DATES: October 4 to October 18, 2025

  Our package includes:  
  

  • Accomodation in a 4-star boutique hotel in historic downtown Torino (14 nights), breakfast included
  • Italian language lessons, 15hr/week at an accredited language school
  • Two extra 1.5hr conversation classes
  • All day excursion in the Langhe, with private bus and guide
  • All day excursion in the Vercellese and Monferrato, with private bus and guide
  • Guided visits to select museums, royal residences and castles
  • Excursion to the ancient Abbey Sacra di San Michele
  • Wine tastings
  • Aperitivi, lunches and dinners as described  in the program (7) 
  • Cooking class with professional chef 

  For a detailed description of the program click  HERE

  RATES

  DOUBLE occupancy	SINGLE occupancy
  $4,750	$5,450

  Registration fee: $500 (non refundable)

  First half of the balance due by March 15, 2025

  Balance due by June 15, 2025

  .....................................................

   A detailed presentation of the program  will be offered in person on

   Sunday , January 26, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM 

    at the Italian Cultural Center

  To register to the free presentation click HERE

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• Reading and Conversation: Raccontare il Novecento - ONLINE Tuesday Morning AU25RC

  • Start
    10 Jun 2025
  •  
    10:30 AM
  • End
    08 Jul 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    ONLINE
  • Spaces left
    3

  
  

  This "Special Topics" class is for students who are at Upper Intermediate Level (B2) or above. Students will deepen their knowledge of a few contemporary authors and their literary works of the 20th century while practicing reading and conversational skills at the B2 proficiency level. This is a very structured class which provides opportunity to practice specific grammatical structures and vocabulary in a personally meaningful and authentic context.

  NOTE: This course is for anybody who has not completed (including not ever started) this book. This includes those who have taken it in the past but did not finished the readings. Since all authors are from the same period, the order in which we cover them does not matter. THIS TERM, we will cover the authors towards the end of the book, and future courses will cover those at the  beginning and then the middle.

  If you have not taken any other classes at ICC before, PLEASE SIGN UP TO TAKE OUR PLACEMENT TEST HERE. An instructor will assess your level.

  Use this link to purchase the textbook prior to beginning of class:

  Raccontare il Novecento

  Cost: $200

  NOTE: This course runs for 5 weeks, from June 10 to July 8.

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• Intensive Italian For Travelers - IN PERSON Tuesday and Thursday Evenings AU25IT

  • Start
    10 Jun 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • End
    10 Jul 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Those who wish to spend a period of time in Italy, either for tourism, cultural interest, or study abroad, will benefit from a fast-paced, communicative approach to the Italian language. 

  This specialized course - intended for BEGINNER students (levels 1-3)  who can digest content and grammar more quickly - will allow for simple but effective communication in everyday life situations such as greetings, getting to know each other, finding out about transportation, asking for directions, reserving a room or an apartment, shopping at a coffee shop or a restaurant. 

  Students will immediately engage in dialogues and comprehension activities, delve into a rich and illustrated vocabulary, and discover the rules of everyday life in Italy.

  If you have already taken a Beginner 1, 2, or 3 class at ICC but would like the chance to reinforce, practice, and consolidate what you have learned in the past, this is the perfect course.

  NOTE on ATTENDANCE: Summer is crazy, and we know it. This class is designed to help you dive in and practice Italian as often as possible; missing class will not prevent you from continuing. This class is outside our traditional sequence and therefore can help (but would never hinder) your progression to the next level in the Fall classes. Students who continue at ICC in the Fall will be advised on the most appropriate next class on a case-by-case basis after consulting with the Instructor at the end of the course.)

  The textbook, Facilissimo, can be purchased in 2 formats:

  E-book with online audio or  paper version with CD.

  Please order your preferred format prior to the first class.

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• NEW SECTION!! All About Verbs (al presente) - IN PERSON Wednesday Afternoons AU25BV

  • Start
    11 Jun 2025
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    09 Jul 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N. Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    4

  This 10-hour (5 week) special course is a more focussed variation and expansion of Beginner 2. Students will concentrate on verbs and accurate use of conjugations in more detailed sentences in a variety of social contexts, such as speaking with family and friends about social plans, daily activities, one's profession and hobbies, as well as likes and dislikes. Students can approach these topics for the first time, or students can expand on their current proficiency level with the material. This course is designed to bring each individual student to a higher level of comfort and automaticity. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of proper etiquette in cultural contexts such as cafes, restaurants and stores in Italy.

  Prerequisite: Beginner 2 (or Beginner 1 with permission of the director).
  

  Cost: $200

  Materials will be provided by the instructor.

  If interested, English Grammar for students of Italian is a great reference for differences in English and Italian grammar structures.

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• All About Verbs (al presente) - IN PERSON Wednesday Evening AU25BV

  • Start
    11 Jun 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • End
    09 Jul 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N. Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    2

  Register

  This 10-hour (5 week) special course is the perfect chance to review, practice, and better digest everything you need to know about verbs in the present tense. More focussed than our traditional Beginner 2 and 3 courses, students will concentrate exclusively on proficiency with verbs and reviewing accurate use of present-tense conjugations in more detailed sentences in a variety of social contexts, such as speaking with family and friends about social plans, daily activities, one's profession and hobbies, as well as likes and dislikes. Students will work together on new and sequential materials compiled by the director, with the aim of speaking with increased precision and automaticity, thus increasing comfort and confidence. This course will also build a much stronger foundation for proceeding to future courses such as Advanced beginner (Beginner 4 or 5) or Pre-Intermediate (1-3).when speaking in more detailed sentences with accurate use of many verbs in the present tense.

  This course is designed to bring each individual student to a higher level of comfort and automaticity, and not all students need to have the same end goals. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of proper etiquette in cultural contexts such as cafes, restaurants and stores in Italy.

  Prerequisite: Beginner 3.
  

  Cost: $200

  If you have not taken any other classes at ICC before, PLEASE SIGN UP TO TAKE OUR PLACEMENT TEST HERE. An instructor will assess your level.

  Instructional materials will be provided by the instructor, but please come with a notebook!

  If interested, English Grammar for students of Italian is a great reference for differences in English and Italian grammar structures.

  Show details
• Italian For Travelers (Beginner 1-2) - IN PERSON Wednesday Evenings AU25IFT

  • Start
    11 Jun 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • End
    09 Jul 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  This mini-course, intended for BEGINNER levels 1-2 students, offers a faster paced, more communicative approach to the Italian language, and is ideal for those who plan to spend a period of time in Italy, either for tourism, cultural interest or study abroad in the immediate future. Homework completion is required.

  Through simple dialogues, comprehension activities, and a rich and illustrated vocabulary, students learn simple but effective communication used in everyday life situations such as greetings, getting to know each other, finding out about transportation, asking for directions, reserving a room or an apartment, shopping at a coffee shop or a restaurant, all while discovering the rules of everyday life in Italy.

  Please order the text prior the first class:

  "Facilissimo" is available on Amazon

  Show details
• NEW!! Italian For Travelers - IN PERSON Monday Evenings AU25IFT

  • Start
    16 Jun 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • End
    07 Jul 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    3

  
  

  This 4-week (8 hr.) mini-course intended for BEGINNER students offers a faster paced, more communicative approach to the Italian language, and is ideal for those who plan to spend a period of time in Italy, either for tourism, cultural interest or study abroad in the immediate future. Homework completion is required.

  Through simple dialogues, comprehension activities, and a rich and illustrated vocabulary, students learn simple but effective communication used in several everyday life, helping. you navigate Il Bel Paese as a respectful and inquisitive visitor.

  Please try to order the text prior the first class:

  "Facilissimo" is available on Amazon

  Show details
• NEW!! Adult Beginner Level 2 - IN PERSON Thursday Evening AU25B2

  • Start
    19 Jun 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM
  • End
    21 Aug 2025
  •  
    7:30 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N. Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    0

  The goal of the course is for students to be able to speak more extensively about themselves, their profession, their likes and dislikes. Students will also learn how to handle situations related to ordering at restaurants, shops, ask about prices, clothes, and daily activities. Each class will provide information and discussion on cultural aspects of Italian life.

  Prerequisite: Beginner Level 1
  

  Cost: $350

  If you have not taken any other classes at ICC before, PLEASE SIGN UP TO TAKE OUR PLACEMENT TEST HERE. An instructor will assess your level.

  Please use these links to order a copy of both the text and workbook prior to the first day of class:

  Textbook: NEW ITALIAN ESPRESSO (Beginner/Pre-Intermediate) UPDATED ED. TEXTBOOK + E-BOOK

  Workbook:  NEW ITALIAN ESPRESSO (Beginner/Pre-Intermediate) UPDATED ED. WORKBOOK

  Note: The E-book includes online access to Audio and Videos and interactive exercises used throughout the course. The same textbook will be used for our entire series Beginner 1-5.

  If interested, English Grammar for students of Italian is a great reference for differences in English and Italian grammar structures.

  Show details
• WORKSHOP "Mettere in Pratica" - Imperfetto o Passato Prossimo? AU25IP

  • When
    08 Jul 2025
  •  
    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N., Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  
  

  Telling detailed and engaging Stories in the Past
  

  Join us for a two-hour workshop focused on telling stories in the past. Whether you want to talk about what you did yesterday with more engaging scene-setting, or whether you want to speak about a past vacation with inspiring details, distinguishing between the simple and imperfect past tense is an important step in proficiency. In this workshop, led by a native instructor, you'll not only practice forming both the passato prossimo and the imperfettoro in Italian, but learn why you choose one instead of the other more confidently.

  By the end of the workshop, you'll be a proficient storyteller in Italian and fully understand this important grammatical distinction!

  Prerequisite: Beginning Level 2

  To receive a refund, less a $20 administrative fee, all workshops must be canceled at least 72 hours in advance.

  For any questions, please email us at contact@theitalianculturalcenter.org

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• CONVERSATION WORKSHOP July 10 (FINAL SESSION!) "L'Abbiocco" Afternoon Caffè e Conversazione Series for (Pre-)Intermediate Students (A2/B1) - IN PERSON AU25CC

  • When
    10 Jul 2025
  •  
    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401

  Register

  
  

  L'ABBIOCCO is the Tuscan name for that sleepiness you get after eating a big lunch. ICC has the antidote... Back by popular demand! ICC’s Afternoon Caffè e Conversazione Series, NOW at the (Pre-) Intermediate Levels (A2-B1).

  Practice your emergent Italian conversational skills in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Sip un caffè, enjoy un tè caldo, and savor un biscottino while engaging in authentic discussion on variety of topics—all while improving fluency and confidence when speaking Italian.

  Led by a native Italian instructor, each 60-minute session offers the perfect opportunity to meet others, exchange stories, and practice conversation at the Advanced Beginner/Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate levels! Come when you can. We just ask you let us know by Monday or Tuesday at the latest if you can attend on Thursday.

  Open to both MEMBERS and NON-MEMBERS!

  Immerse yourself in Italian culture, make new friends, and experience the joy of authentic conversations in a friendly community of fellow language enthusiasts.  

  Practice your emergent Italian conversational skills in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Sip un caffè, enjoy un tè caldo, and savor un biscottino while engaging in authentic discussion on variety of topics—all while improving fluency and confidence when speaking Italian.

  Please Note: Cancellations require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for a refund.

  This is the last conversation session of the series.

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• PLIDA EXAMS: B1 - September 10, 2025

  • When
    10 Sep 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    250 Third Avenue N. Suite 625, Minneapolis MN. 55401
  • Spaces left
    2

  Register

  
  

  PLIDA Certification Exams

  Upcoming Session Information

  Certify your Italian language skills, for citizenship, or any other purpose.

  What: PLIDA Exam (Level B1)

  When: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

  Registration Deadline with ICC: Friday, August 22, 2025

  Where: in-person at ICC, 250 Third Avenue N., Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401

  How to Register: Membership with ICC is required to take the PLIDA exam at our exam center. Prior to registering to take the PLIDA exam at ICC, the candidate must enroll with the Società Dante Alighieri at dante.global. You are not required to hold a membership with the SDA in order to take the exam, but when enrolling on dante.global, answer the question according to your status. Be sure to use the same email address to enroll on dante.global that you will use to register for the PLIDA exam with ICC. Detailed instructions are available here.

  Time: (Tentative Schedule)

  9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (Ascoltare 40', Leggere 40', e Scrivere 60')

  12:30-3:30 p.m. (Pausa Pranzo)

  3:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. (Parlare – 15' + wait time in between candidates)

  Exact times will be shared with each candidate closer to the exam date.

  Cost: The registration fee for the PLIDA B1 is $210.

  For any questions: contact@theitalianculturalcenter.org

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