Istituto Italiano Scuola

Fantastic experience: I am in my third session of Beginner with Jimmy, and he is one of the best teachers I have had in my life. Smart, intuitive, encouraging...Jimmy makes it intellectual and fun. I highly recommend IIS and Jimmy!

Fantastic experience: Been learning for over a year now. Love Estella, Jimmy, Chiara and all the teachers here. It’s always fun and I always look forward to the class each week!

Fantastic experience: I have been an IIS student for the past few months and have truly enjoyed my experience. I began my Italian language learning journey a couple of years ago through apps and self-paced online courses that involved a variety of reading, writing, speaking, and listening exercises. I felt like I had built a pretty solid foundation of knowledge and was ready to take classes taught by real instructors. I did some research and discovered IIS. I reached out for more information via email and received a reply shortly thereafter from Michela. She is a wonderful representative of IIS and offered plenty of information and advice. She also had me take their online assessment test to determine my skill level. I have since taken a number of live online courses, to include conversation and pronunciation courses. My experience in each course has been outstanding! Mattia, Jimmy, Barbara, and Francesca have all been extremely positive and supportive. I was initially hesitant to speak in my new language but any nervousness I felt quickly diminished because of their enthusiasm and encouragement. I have been an educator for more than 20 years and have a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I can say with certainty that the IIS instructors from whom I have had the pleasure of learning are extremely knowledgeable and skilled professionals who are passionate about their craft. I have even picked up a few things that I will incorporate into my own language teaching. I look forward to taking many additional courses through IIS. I highly recommend IIS for anyone who is serious about learning the Italian language and is looking for the very best instruction.

Fantastic experience: Such a great learning experience ✨

Fantastic experience: The class has been enriching

Fantastic experience: I've lived my entire life in the Bay Area. I went to the best schools in high school, college, and Law School. Instituto Italiano Scuola is by far the best school I've ever attended. As a hobby I wanted to learn a new language and researched many schools in the Bay Area. I chose this place and paid my tuition. Best money I've ever spent. My teacher, Valerio, is skilled, patient, insightful, and creative. He teaches the reasoning and cultural aspect of the Italian language like a true professional and scholar. I engage in many hobbies in San Francisco, and I can say with complete honesty and sincerity, that I look forward the most to attending and learning Italian because of the excellence in instruction provided by Valerio and Instituto Italiano Scuola.

Fantastic experience: Wonderful classes, excellent teachers (I love Barbara!), and great events. Have been taking classes for over two years and am very happy with the school!

Fantastic experience: Again, I am taking 2 courses with Istituto Italiano Scuola: “Perfezionamento” and private tutoring. They work well together to bring me to the level if my advanced leers and remember the Italian I’d forgotten over 40 years! Luigi is a wonderful combination if professionalism and amiability, with truly artful insights into linguistics and European culture.

Fantastic experience: Attending IIS is the one of the best decisions in my life. The quality of instruction is outstanding; the teachers are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly engaging and supportive. The curriculum is well-structured, making complex grammar and vocabulary accessible to all levels of learners. Socially, the atmosphere is super warm and inviting. Both teachers and students are friendly and enthusiastic, creating a vibrant community where learning thrives. The school also organizes various social events, further enhancing the bonding and cultural immersion. Overall, this school significantly exceeded my expectations. It’s not just about learning a language but also about making meaningful connections and enjoying the process. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: I have been taking classes online here for two years, starting with Beginners 1. The teachers, all native speakers, (Jimmy and Valerio) are encouraging, extremely knowledgeable and add a touch of humor to their courses. My grasp of the language along with my confidence in speaking has blossomed with their instruction. In addition to learning the language you will get a rich feel for the Italian culture. Recently I took an intensive grammar course (pronomi!) with Valerio which proved so helpful. He presented the material in small parts, allowing the concepts to sink in. It was money well spent. As an added bonus I have gained new friendships through these courses. If you want to learn Italian in a fun and encouraging environment this is the place to enroll.

Fantastic experience: Great way to learn Italian. Our teacher Gianna is able to make it fun and interactive. We have been taking it for 5 months and notice a difference in comprehension and accent. We did the on-line class and it is great!

Fantastic experience: I love the class I take at Instituto Italiano Scuola. Mattia is the best teacher! He makes learning really fun and he is a really great teacher!

Fantastic experience: My first visit to the Institute was for a smartphone workshop. The staff were all polite and welcoming and I'm interested in participating in more events with their school.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been taking classes through IIS for a little over a year now, and I highly recommend it. You are paired with an instructor who follows your cohort at every level (as you advance through the levels, the same instructor continues to work with you). This is an excellent format - Elena knows exactly my strengths and weaknesses, really streamlining the process and adding a real human element. I love working with SFIIS!!

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Istituto Italiano Scuola to anyone interested in learning Italian! The teachers are amazing, the material is super relevant, the classes are a lot of fun and best of all the people are incredibly kind and welcoming. I’ve made such great friends at this school and am so grateful that I joined.

Fantastic experience: Great Italian school to get in touch with your roots and learn a new language. Wonderful instructors and great community :) I miei compagni di classe e il nostro professore sono i migliori :)

Fantastic experience: I have been taking Italian at a beginner level at SFIIS for a year and the classes are wonderful. Our teacher is a pleasure—fun and supportive. He is a native speaker and a linguist, so we really learn language structure. My class is on Zoom, and we all participate as if we are in a classroom. I just finished a week long Italian intensive in Italy and was totally prepared. I am looking forward to moving on to Elementary level.

Fantastic experience: I just completed my first course with Istituto Italiano Scuola and was quite impressed. It was both rigorous and fun in balance, inspiring me to learn and take my Italian further than ever before. I'll be back for the next level course.

Fantastic experience: I have been taking classes at the SFIIS for years because, short of a long stay in Italy, it is the best way to maintain and improve my language skills. But more than that, I enjoy being with the other students and my instructors), many of whom are now good friends. In my class we read classic and contemporary Italian literature, and our instructor keeps us up to date on Italian culture and even politics. The experience on Zoom is almost as good as the in-person classes: Barbara is amazing in her use of the tools to run a lively, efficient, and fun class.

Fantastic experience: I have been taking classes at the Istituto Italiano Scuola for several years and it has been a great experience. The classes are taught by dedicated native speakers who are passionate about sharing their language and culture. They are outstanding teachers, the classes are small, and you learn a lot. I take the Tuesday night Perfezionamento class with Barbara Gautero, and she is the best! We read a different book every term and discuss it in class exploring historical context, grammar, and vocabulary, all in Italian. The books provide a great opportunity to learn not only the language but also about Italian society. If you are looking to learn or perfect your Italian, I highly recommend taking classes at the Istituto.

Positive experience: Overall good courses taught (at least in my experience) by native Italian speakers. One of my speakers taught fro Sicily, and one from Northern Italy. The pace of learning is reasonable, with a few hours of homework assigned each week. The book is good - it repeats vocabulary words on a regular basis making it easier to retain the words already learned. The most difficult parts for me are memorizing irregular verbs in various tenses, and understanding full-speed audio. The on-line tools allow you to slow down the audio clips so they are easier to understand, and in some cases include transcripts in Italian.

Fantastic experience: Gianna’s Italian classes at Scuola Italiana are fun and easy way to learn a new language. The school is very supportive and welcoming. I enjoy my fellow students a lot.

Fantastic experience: I cannot recommend this online foreign language program for toddlers enough! As a parent, I was initially apprehensive about how my 3-year-old would respond to virtual classes, fearing she might struggle to focus. However, those worries were quickly dispelled once we joined this program. First and foremost, let me sing praises for the incredible teacher, Francesca. She possesses a remarkable talent for not only teaching but captivating young minds. Her ability to blend learning and play seamlessly is nothing short of amazing. It's evident that she genuinely cares about each child's progress and enjoyment, and that dedication shines through in every session. What's truly heartwarming is witnessing my daughter's enthusiasm for her weekly class. She eagerly looks forward to it and often spends the rest of the week asking to "play Italian," a testament to the program's effectiveness in fostering a love for language learning at such a tender age. As a family that values multilingualism and devotes considerable time to language education, I can confidently say that this virtual program stands head and shoulders above the rest. Its engaging curriculum, coupled with Francesca's exceptional teaching skills, has left an indelible mark on our child's language development journey. I am beyond impressed and immensely grateful for the positive impact this program has had on our family. If you're seeking a top-tier virtual language learning experience for your little one, look no further. This program is truly amazing, and I wholeheartedly endorse it to any parent seeking to enrich their child's linguistic abilities.

Fantastic experience: I am taking online courses and have been incredibly happy with my teacher, the consistency of the classes, and how I have been pushed out of my comfort zone when practicing speaking. If I lived in the SF area, I would happily be attending in person.

Fantastic experience: SFIIS runs a fantastic org and program - truly a gem of a school. The staff are warm and wonderfully efficient. I've done both in-person and online classes, and plan to continue for as long as I can. They cover all levels of Italian proficiency, with an engaging mix of private lessons, themed classes (e.g. Italian for Travelers), and regular "term" classes. If you can, I highly recommend going in person for at least some lessons - they have a wonderful office in sunny North Beach.

Fantastic experience: Love this school! Not only are the regular classes great, but I also appreciate all the other classes and social activities the school offers. I've taken supplemental grammar workshops, and am looking forward to a cultural one coming up. They have classes for kids too, which is great!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic school! I’ve been taking classes here for over 6 years. The teachers are wonderful as are the classes. If you’re thinking about learning Italian…this is the place!

Fantastic experience: SFIIS has been life-changing for me. In addition to learning Italian in a fun and relaxed environment, I have made some of the best friends of my life here. I cannot recommend the school enough—the instructors are excellent at what they do, and genuinely care about their students and their learning journey. The amount of extra effort I have seen them put into their lessons is remarkable. The location is perfect, everyone is extremely approachable and helpful, the atmosphere is full of excitement for language learning and cultural exchange, and I can’t see myself wanting to take classes anywhere else. Highly recommend for anyone looking to learn or continue their Italian practice, or anyone simply looking for community—there simply isn’t a more vibrant one to be found.

Fantastic experience: I have attended classes at the Istituto Italiano Scuola for many years now. The classes are consistently excellent. The teachers are native speakers and most are trained as teachers. The classes are well organized so that we cover a bit of grammar as well as conversation in each class. We read an Italian book, in Italian, every term. I've learned so much about the Italian culture as well as history and literature. What fun we have in class!

Fantastic experience: I’ve really enjoyed my first term with a useful mix of conversation practice and grammar. There is an added level of authenticity and understanding at this school as all the instructors are Italian. Looking forward to continuing!

Fantastic experience: I so love my teacher, Alice!! She lives in Genoa, and we have just finished one round of private lessons and I find her to be perfect for me. We do grammar, yes, because I am still lost in the world of pronouns, but we also chat and as we do she guides me through phrases I use everyday. I am thrilled I have found her, and we are planning a meet up day in Genoa soon!! Thank you, ISS!! Barbara Boyle

Fantastic experience: Excellent learning environment from true Italians. Valerio is a great teacher, very understanding and patient

Fantastic experience: The IIS offers helpful courses from native Italian speakers in small classes, which is great for beginners like me because I get more time to ask questions and practice the language. If you've ever wanted to learn Italian, I can't recommend them enough!

Fantastic experience: IIS is amazing! If you're looking for a comprehensive and structured course, this is the place to go! The teachers are so knowledgeable and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak the language, the best way to learn! Would highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Taken multiple Italian language classes here. Great instruction, awesome people. High recommend.