Italian Language Courses

The Michigan Chapter of the Dante Alighieri Society offers Italian language and cultural classes for a wide variety of ages and skill levels (Italian as a second language).
DAS also offers classes aimed at children with an Italian background who already possess Italian language skills. Instructors teach Italian-based courses, including culture, history, geography and literature.

Classes are taught in Ann Arbor and Birmingham.
All courses require a minimum number of students to run, please enroll before the start date to avoid disappointment.

REFUNDS POLICY

• A full refund will be made if a class does not start.
• No refunds will be made after the class has started.
  For info contact: education@dantemichigan.org

Italian Classes for Children and Young Adults
With the support of the NOI Foundation
(Nuovi Orizzonti Italiani)

Where: 630 Old Woodward - Suite 102
Birmingham, MI 48009
Directions

Italiano lingua primaria/Native Speakers
Ages/Età 5/16
I bambini verranno divisi per età e grado di preparazione.

Il corso è rivolto a bambini di origine italiana la cui lingua primaria è l'italiano e/o bambini che hanno frequentato la scuola in Italia. Il corso comprende lezioni d'italiano, grammatica, storia e geografia. Si articola in due sessioni per un totale di 45 ore, da settembre 2010 a maggio 2011.
Il costo totale del corso è di 240 dollari, da pagare in due rate.

Classes for beginners/intermediate students and for native-speaking students.
First session: Tuesday, October 19 - December 7, 2010 (8 weeks)
Tuesdays from 4:30 until 5:45 pm

Italian Language Classes as a Second Language

Children will learn the Italian language through games, nursery rhymes, poems, songs, and sketches. They will also learn about Italian culture and traditions in different parts of Italy. Students will be grouped by age and language skill level.

Italiano lingua primaria - Corso in lingua italiana
Durata del corso: 8 settimane

For info contact: Silvia Giorgini at: arcobaleno@dantemichigan.org

In addition to courses, the Dante Alighieri Society maintains La Biblioteca Italiana, a substantial Italian-language collection held at Oakland Community College in Royal Oak for members and the community at-large.

Why study Italian?

A recent study by the British Council suggests that the world is becoming more multilingual and that English-speaking youth will need additional language capabilities in order to compete in the global economy (English Next, David Graddol, British Council, 2006).

Other studies have shown that the optimal time to learn a second language is during early childhood.

Learning Italian gives young people an edge because:

• There are 61 million native Italian speakers in Italy, San Marino, Switzerland, Slovenia and Croatia, plus significant expatriate communities in the United States, Canada, Germany, Argentina, Australia and France.
• Italy has become one of the world's most popular vacation destinations. Knowledge of the Italian language and culture will make a trip there far more enjoyable.
• Italy is the world's 7th largest economy. Major multinational firms such as Fiat, Eni SpA, Ferrari, Pirelli, Barilla and Prada are all headquartered in Italy. Knowledge of Italian improves one's chances of working for, or doing business with, Italian firms.
• Italian is a Romance language based on Latin; as such it has much in common with other Romance languages such as Spanish, French and Portuguese.
• Italian is the language of the Vatican.
• Italian is the language of art, culture and music. Have you ever wondered where the word "diva" comes from? Or why "opera" is called "opera?" Or what "crescendo" means?
• Learning Italian can help students improve their command of their mother tongue.
• For Americans of Italian descent, learning the Italian language opens doors to connect with their Italian roots.

For Italian expatriates living in Michigan, the Dante Alighieri Society affords an opportunity for their children to continue learning Italian from native Italians.

All Dante Alighieri Society instructors are native speakers with years of experience teaching Italian as a second language. For more information or to register for classes e-mail us.