KA1 course: Italian language and culture

Unleash your potential. Embrace Europe's values. Learn Italian and discover the Italian culture with purpose.

The course will unleash the beauty of the Italian language while exploring core European values, namely sustainability and democracy. This course blends language learning with cultural activities that highlight Italy’s role in shaping European ideals and development along years. The course is designed to equip participants with fundamental language skills, enabling them to communicate effectively in Italian in both everyday situations and professional environments. Additionally, it fosters a deeper understanding of European values such as inclusion and sustainability, with a specific focus on how these ideals are integrated into Italian culture and society. Participants will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian culture through visits and meetings, which will highlight real-world examples of social inclusion and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Target group: young and adult learners
Why should you choose us?

  • Visiting Rome is always a good choice!
  • We offer an edutainment approach,
  • Course content is innovative, relevant, and applicable in various professional and personal contexts,
  • Participants will come into contact with different practices and experiences, benefiting from intercultural learning and establishing contacts for future cooperation and exchanges
  • Our teachers’ work is inspired by the Principles of the Pedagogy of Beauty©, shifting the focus from mere transmission of knowledge to building meaningful and empathic relationships.
Learning outcomes:

During the course lifespan, participants will:

  • Develop basic Italian language skills for daily and professional communication.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of Italian culture within the framework of European values, including inclusion and sustainability.
  • Explore Rome’s historic sites and understand Italy’s role as a crossroads of cultures and civilizations.
  • Engage with multicultural communities and organizations promoting social inclusion in Italy.
  • Discover sustainable practices through visits to local startups and businesses focused on environmental innovation.
  • Understand urban ecology and sustainable development by exploring green spaces like Villa Borghese.
  • Apply the knowledge and skills acquired to promote sustainability and inclusion in their own contexts.
  • Build connections with fellow participants to foster future cooperation and exchange.
Methodology

This course will employ an interactive and practical approach, combining language lessons with cultural activities that promote experiential learning.

This course not only helps participants learn Italian but also guides them in discovering an inclusive and sustainable Rome, with experiences that highlight the importance of these values in both the Italian and European context.  Participants will have opportunities to practice their language skills in real-life settings, including workshops, field trips, and guided tours.

Through these experiences, participants will directly engage with Italy’s cultural heritage, focusing on the country’s contribution to sustainability, democracy, and innovation.

Personal reflection moments are included each day to encourage a deeper connection with the topics covered.

Day-by-day programme

Day 1 | h 09.00 – 17.00

Welcome to Italy and Introduction to European Values

Greetings and presentations – icebreaking activity | Introduction to the Italian language and culture: Alphabet, pronunciation, and basic phrases; Introduction to European values of inclusion and sustainability | European lunch | Visit: Rome historic center walking tour to explore its iconic monuments;  Reflection on the historical role of Rome as a crossroads of cultures and civilizations, and the importance of cultural inclusion.

Day 2 | h 9.00 – 16.00

Daily Communication and Cultural Diversity

Italian Lesson – Daily situations: How to shop, order at a restaurant, and ask for directions; Expressions for everyday life; Discussion on cultural diversity in Europe and Italy | Lunch break | Visit to a multicultural neighborhood in Rome: Meeting with associations promoting inclusion and integration.

Day 3 | h 9.00 – 16.00

Working in Italy: Vocabulary and Social Inclusion

Italian Lesson – The world of work: Basic terminology related to the work environment; Writing a formal email, presenting yourself at a job interview; Concepts of inclusion in the Italian workplace | Lunch break | Exploring local sustainable companies: Visit to companies or startups that promote sustainable innovation; Group discussion on how sustainable entrepreneurship can foster inclusion.

Day 4 | h 9.00 – 17.00

Urban Ecology and Sustainability

Italian Lesson – The environment and the city: Vocabulary related to sustainability and urban ecology; How to talk about the environment, transport, and sustainable cities; Reflection on European values of environmental protection and sustainable development | Lunch break | Visit: Villa Borghese Park: Tour of the park with a focus on ecological and sustainable areas; Group discussion on the concept of the “sustainable urban park” and the role of parks as the green lungs of cities | Dinner in a typical Roman osteria (optional)

Day 5 | h 9.30 – 13.00

Inclusive Italian Culture and Future Prospects

Italian Lesson – Final discussion: Review the vocabulary learnt during the week | Individual reflection: A roadmap to transfer acquired knowledge and skills into practice and cultivate connections with other participants for future cooperation and exchange | Focus on learning outcomes and certificate delivery | Feedback: Participants provide a course evaluation and feedback on their experience | Participants’ departure

Course pre-registration is free of charge!

Just fill the form expressing your interest. Only after enough pre-registrations are made, we can confirm the course and start planning our time together!

Trainers
vanessa nirchi ciape academy

VANESSA NIRCHI

I am a psychologist technician with experience in supporting women and children, working as an educator in shelters for mothers and children. Currently, I also work in a community for unaccompanied foreign minors, providing educational support and assistance in learning the Italian language. Additionally, I coordinated for several years a project promoting sexual and reproductive health for migrants people in camps in Greece and Cyprus. I have been part of CIAPE for a few years, focusing on European project design and training in the field of parenting.

Dates and Location

24-28 March 2025

19-23 May 2025

29 September - 3 October 2025

At CIAPE headquarters: Pz.le Roberto Ardigó 30, Roma

Cost

400 € per person

Including: training and tuition fees, access to training material, ice-breaking and sight-seeing activities, coffee-breaks, administration and organisational costs, Certificate of attendance, Mobility and Europass documents

Language

English

Are you interested in the course? Contact us.