Italiano: che passione! (B1 – B2)
led by Cosima Ticali
Three passions, one language: food, art and cinema
A 10-week Italian language and culture course for B1–B2 learners who want to become more confident and spontaneous speakers while discovering Italy through three of its great passions: food, art and cinema.
Created and taught by Cosima Ticali, cultural journalist and writer, the course brings language and culture together through an engaging, communicative approach. Rather than following a traditional textbook, you’ll work with authentic materials — from recipes and menus to works of art and architecture, film scenes, TV series and contemporary spoken Italian.
Each session combines conversation, vocabulary and grammar in context. Through discussion, pair and group work, creative challenges and real-life communication, you’ll develop the language and confidence to describe, tell stories, compare, express preferences, formulate hypotheses, give opinions, agree and disagree, and take part more spontaneously in conversations in Italian.
The final session will feature a special guest connected to one of the cultural areas explored during the course, giving participants the opportunity to put their Italian into practice in an authentic conversation.
Key Information at Glance
Who Can Join
Learners at approximately B1–B2 level who want to become more confident and spontaneous speakers.
Learners who already have a good foundation in Italian and want more opportunities to use the language actively through conversation.
Anyone interested in exploring Italian language through food, art, architecture, cinema and TV.
No specialist knowledge of any of these subjects is required — just curiosity, an interest in Italian culture and a desire to speak more Italian.
Unsure about your level? Contact the School for a quick, friendly assessment.
Where and When
Location: Chesterton Community College (Cambridge, CB4 3NY).
Schedule: Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: October 1, 8, 15, 22; November 5, 12, 19, 26; December 3, 10.
No lesson during half-term (29th of October)
Duration: One module consists of 10 relaxed and fun lessons (20 hours)
Materials and Homework
Included:
All course materials
Authentic Italian recipes, menus and food-related materials
Works of art, architecture and visual materials
Selected film and TV scenes, dialogues and audio
Contemporary Italian texts and spoken-language materials
Additional vocabulary, grammar and digital resources
Access to our Italian-learning community and cultural events
Homework:
Short preparation or follow-up activities linked to the cultural themes explored in class
Vocabulary, listening and reading practice using authentic materials
Occasional preparation for discussions and speaking activities
Optional additional resources for participants who want to explore a topic further
Cost and Booking Details
Course Fee: £330 (all course materials + cultural events included)
Joining late? Where possible, you can join after the course has started and pay only for the remaining lessons on a pro-rata basis.
Minimum group: 6 students (alternative formats may be available if fewer enrol).
Special final session: The tenth session will feature a guest connected to one of the cultural areas explored during the course.
Terms and Conditions: Please read the Terms and Conditions for Courses before payment.
🎁 Looking for a gift?
You can purchase the full course as a present or contribute any amount toward it. Simply choose your amount and buy a personalised gift card online - click here to continue.
FAQs
01
Do I need any previous experience to join?
It depends on the course you choose. Our Beginners course (A1) is designed for complete newcomers, whether you've never studied Italian before or tried years ago and want to start fresh. For our other courses, we always say the level required, but if you are not sure we can help you find the right fit. Just get in touch and we'll guide you to the perfect course for your level.
03
Can I join after the course has started?
Yes — if there are still places available, you can join late and only pay for the remaining lessons. For some courses this is only available up to two weeks after the course has started.
02
What if I miss a lesson?
If you know you are going to miss a class, let us know as soon as possible and we will try to organise an online catch-up session during the same week as the lesson you missed (subject to availability). If you unexpectedly miss a lesson , we'll provide you with the materials covered and a summary of what you missed, so you can catch up at your own pace.
04
When do courses start and how do I enrol?
Our Autumn Term courses begin at the end of September. Enrolment is open now, and places are limited to keep groups small and effective. Early bird discounts are available for those who register early.
How our courses work
1. Choose a Course
Select the course that suits your level and schedule.
3. Course Confirmation
Around two weeks before the course begins, we confirm whether the course will run as planned and send final details to all participants.
If enough students have enrolled, the course will go ahead and you will receive instructions for settling the remaining balance.
If fewer students have enrolled, we may wait a little longer to allow additional registrations or offer an alternative format (for example online or shorter lessons).
In that case, you will be notified and free to decide whether to continue. Deposits are fully refundable.
2. Reserve Your Place
Click “Pay Deposit or Full Amount” (more than 2 weeks before the start of the course) or "Pay Now" (within 2 weeks from the start of the course). Before making any payment, please confirm that you have read and agreed to the Terms and Conditions.
4. Stay Updated
If a course becomes full, changes format, or is postponed, we will notify you and offer the available alternatives.