Learn more about the Italian language and culture, and there’s a strong chance that you’ll find yourself appreciating life just a little bit more. Because, let’s face it: Italians have given the world a lot of joy.

Pasta
Pasta is one of the few foods that engages all of the senses. Not only can it look, smell and taste wonderful, but even the sound of a sweet and tangy sauce being tossed into a pan full of recently cooked pasta can make you salivate (admit it, your mouth’s watering a little bit, right?)
Pasta dishes also sound amazing just by saying them out loud: Linguini Puttanesca; Gnocchi di Ricotta; Bucatini all'Amatriciana… the literal translation could mean anything at all, but maybe it’s best to live in ignorance and just enjoy saying their names.

Films
No great film collection is complete without the additional of a couple of classics from masterful Italian directors. From Gillo Pontecorvo's The Battle of Algiers – a powerful and influential re-telling of the struggle for Algerian independence from France – to the eternally cool La Dolce Vita from the Italian maestro Federico Fellini, Italy has produced timeless classics that demand to be seen again and again.

Landmarks
One of the most famous scenes in La Dolce Vita takes place in Rome’s Trevi Fountain, which leads nicely to another aspect of Italian culture – its many famous landmarks. In fact, if you were asked to name famous landmarks from around Europe, it’s a good bet that a handful of them would be from Italy. From the Leaning Tower of Pisa to the Colosseum, and the Sistine Chapel to St. Mark's Square, Italy is a country with a rich history.
Style

Whether it’s in what they drive (think Alfa Romeo, Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Vespa and, er, Fiat Panda) or what they wear (think Moschino, Gucci, Prada and Versace), the Italians know how to look good.  

Wine
Wine is has a deep connection with Italy and with Italians. Not only is it home to some of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions, it is also one of the largest producers of wine, and Italians drink more wine that any other nation. Perhaps the best-known Italian wines are Chianti and Pino Grigio, but others include Frascati, Orvieto, Brunello di Montalcino and Salice Salentino and many more.

Food, wine and culture are just three areas in which Italy has contributed a huge amount to the world. To truly appreciate everything Italian, though, it makes sense to learn the language. Learn to speak or read Italian and you can really immerse yourself in this glorious culture, country and language.

Some Italian courses to help you learn Italian
There are many opportunities to learn Italian throughout the UK, as well as to learn more about Italian culture. Here are just a few colleges who run courses in Italian:

Istituto Italiano Di Cultura
University Of The Arts London, The Language Centre
City University
Lexis School of Languages


Examples of Italian courses you can find on Hotcourses include:

Italian classes
Italian - Simply Grammar
Italian Intensive Beginner
Italian for Beginners & Beginner's Italian
Intermediate Italian
Advanced Italian
Italian La Chiacchiera Conversation
View all the Italian classes on Hotcourses

Undergraduate Italian courses
At undergraduate level, it is possible to study Italian combined with a wide variety of other subjects. Here are a few examples:
Italian and Creative Studies BA (Hons)
Italian and Linguistics BA (Hons)
Italian and Management BA (Hons)
Italian and Hispanic Studies BA (Hons)
Italian and History and Philosophy of Art BA (Hons)
View all undergraduate Italian courses on Hotcourses

Postgraduate Italian courses
Postgraduate Italian courses include:
Italian Studies (Culture and Communication) MA
Italian MPhil
Italian PhD
View all postgraduate Italian courses on Hotcourses



Italian course review
Name: Michael Harper
Institution: Bishopsgate Institute
Course: Italian

‘I am a freelance classical singer and singing teacher. I travel internationally to work with young singers and have a very active life in the UK singing, teaching, giving workshops and consulting. I also teach choirs and have been the associate artistic director of a small opera company. Initially I took an Italian course to improve my Italian for singing and to be able to communicate better when on holiday in Italy. I love the language and everything about Italian culture.

The tutor, Silvia Colaiacomo, is so attuned and sympathetic to the different levels of comprehension and speaking in the class that it is always interesting and fun.

The most important thing that I’ve learned in this class is to take the chances to speak and make mistakes. We are encouraged to speak freely and to play with language. I hope to be able to communicate better in Italy and with my Italian friends here. I have already achieved a better understanding of the texts that my students and I sing. This has given me an increased pleasure in my work and has added greater depth to my interpretations.’