Italian Language Courses in Florence

Learning Italian in Florence means much more than studying a language. It means living it. Since 1975, Istituto Michelangelo has welcomed students from all over the world to Florence to learn and improve their Italian while discovering the culture, art and everyday life of our country. The school is located in the heart of Florence’s historic centre, at Via Ghibellina 88, in the fifteenth-century Palazzo Gherardi, just a short walk from Santa Croce.

Classes have a maximum of 10 students, encouraging active participation, conversation and direct contact with the teachers. Here, the Italian you study during lessons continues outside the classroom: in the streets and squares of Florence, in museums and markets, during a visit or a dinner, or simply by talking to the people you meet every day. Every student, however, comes to Florence with different needs. Some want to learn Italian from the very beginning, others want to improve what they already know; some have only one or two weeks available, while others want to stay for several months. Some prefer to study in a group, some want individual lessons, and others wish to combine language study with art, cooking or Italian culture. For this reason, Istituto Michelangelo offers Italian courses for all levels, from A1 to C2, with different programmes according to the time available and each student’s personal goals. Get to know Istituto Michelangelo

A Course for Every Way of Learning

Not everyone learns a language in the same way, and not everyone comes to Florence with the same goals. You can choose a group course, devote more hours each day to studying with an intensive programme, combine group lessons with individual tuition, or follow a completely personalised programme.

Standard Italian Course

The Standard Course is the main option for students who want to study Italian in a group while keeping their afternoons free to enjoy Florence, take part in school activities or pursue other interests. Lessons are held from Monday to Friday, for 4 hours a day, in groups organised according to the students’ level of Italian. Discover the Standard Italian Course

Intensive Italian Course

The Intensive Course is designed for students who want to devote a larger part of the day to studying the language. It includes 6 hours of lessons a day, from Monday to Friday, combining morning classes with additional lessons in the afternoon. Discover the Intensive Italian Course

Super-Intensive Italian Course

The Super-Intensive Course combines group classes with individual lessons. It is particularly suitable for students who want an intensive language experience while also having personalised tuition focused on their own specific needs. Discover the Super-Intensive Course

Individual Italian Courses

For students who prefer a completely personalised programme, individual Italian courses are also available. The content, pace and number of hours can be organised according to the student’s level, goals and time available. Discover the Individual Italian Courses

Which Italian Course Should You Choose?

If you would like to…	Programme to consider
Study Italian and keep your afternoons free	Standard Course
Devote more hours each day to the language	Intensive Course
Combine group lessons with private tuition	Super-Intensive Course
Follow a completely personalised programme	Individual Course
Combine language study with cultural activities	Senior 50+ and special programmes
Improve your Italian for professional purposes	Professional Courses
Study in Florence for several months	Medium- and long-term courses

Study Italian Through What You Love

One of the distinctive features of Istituto Michelangelo is the possibility of combining language study with other aspects of Italian culture. During your stay you can explore art history, take part in an Italian cooking course, study literature, or combine language lessons with artistic and cultural activities. In this way, learning does not remain confined to the classroom. Florence becomes not simply the place where your course takes place, but part of the learning experience itself. Art History Courses Italian Cooking Courses Italian Literature Course Programmes combining language, art and culture

Senior 50+ Programmes and Courses for Specific Needs

Students looking for something different from a regular language course can choose from a variety of programmes. The Senior 50+ programme combines Italian lessons with cultural activities and opportunities to discover Florence and Tuscany together with other participants. Professional Courses allow students to develop the Italian used in particular fields of work, while Specialisation Courses are intended for those who want to concentrate on specific aspects of the Italian language and culture. For students who wish to spend a longer period in Florence, medium- and long-term courses are also available. Senior 50+ Programme Professional Courses Specialisation Courses

Since 1975, Welcoming Students from Around the World

Istituto Michelangelo has been teaching Italian to international students in Florence since 1975. In more than fifty years of activity, we have welcomed students of many different ages, nationalities, professions and backgrounds. This experience has taught us one thing above all: there is no single way to learn a language. For this reason, we try to place every student at the level and in the programme best suited to their knowledge, goals and the amount of time they can devote to studying. Studying in an international school also means meeting people from different countries who share the same interest in Italian language and culture. Get to know Istituto Michelangelo and its history

Italian Language Levels and Placement Test

Courses are organised according to six levels of Italian, from A1 to C2, and classes have a maximum of 10 students. This means that complete beginners can enrol, as well as students who already have an intermediate or advanced knowledge of Italian and wish to improve it. Students who already know some Italian take a written and oral placement test so that the school can identify the most appropriate level. The length of your stay can vary considerably: you can attend a short course or create a study programme lasting several weeks or months. Consult Italian language levels

Learn Italian by Experiencing Florence

For us, learning a language does not simply mean attending lessons. This is why the school organises a programme of cultural and recreational activities that gives students further opportunities to discover Florence, meet one another and use Italian outside the classroom. Depending on the programme and the time of year, activities may include visits around the city and to museums, excursions, cinema, theatre, concerts, dinners and other cultural events. Florence also offers something that is difficult to recreate in a classroom: the opportunity to come into contact every day with centuries of Italian art, history and culture. The city therefore becomes a natural extension of the school. Discover the activities organised by Istituto Michelangelo

Accommodation in Florence for Students

Accommodation is also an important part of the experience of studying abroad. Istituto Michelangelo can assist students in finding accommodation in Florence, with different options depending on personal preferences and the length of stay. Possible solutions include accommodation with Italian families, shared apartments, private apartments and other types of accommodation. Living with Italians can provide additional opportunities to use the language in everyday life, while students who prefer greater independence can choose an apartment. Discover student accommodation in Florence Consult accommodation costs

Fees, Dates, Reductions and Special Offers

The cost of your stay depends on the type of course you choose and its duration. On the dedicated pages you can consult course dates and fees, together with any reductions and special offers that may be available. We have kept this information on specific pages so that you can compare the different options more easily and find the programme best suited to your needs. Consult course dates and fees Discover available reductions View special offers

We Look Forward to Welcoming You to Florence

Whether you want to spend one week, one month or a longer period in Florence, we can help you choose the course best suited to your level and goals. If you are not sure which programme to choose, write to us and tell us how much Italian you already know, how long you would like to study and when you are thinking of coming to Florence. We will help you find the solution that best suits your needs. Consult fees and dates Enrol on a course Request information

Frequently asked questions

How many students are there in each class?

Language classes have a maximum of 10 students, to encourage conversation and a direct relationship with the teachers.

How long is an Italian course?

You can attend from one week up to several months. The Standard and Intensive courses run flexibly from 1 to 24 weeks; for longer stays there are medium- and long-term programmes.

How many lessons are there?

The Standard Course has 4 hours of lessons a day (20 a week), Monday to Friday; the Intensive Course has 6 hours a day (30 a week); the Super Intensive Course combines group lessons with individual lessons.

Do I need to already know Italian to enrol?

No. Courses are organised into six levels, from A1 (complete beginner) to C2, so both absolute beginners and students perfecting an intermediate or advanced level can enrol.

How is my level assessed and when can I start?

The six levels run all year round. Complete beginners start on set dates; other students take a short written and oral placement test on the first day and are placed in the most suitable group.

How much does an Italian course in Florence cost?

The price depends on the type of course and its length. The website has the full price list for each course, along with discounts for long stays and packages that combine language with art and culture.

Does the school help with accommodation?

Yes. The Michelangelo Institute helps students find accommodation in Florence: Italian host families, shared flats or private flats, depending on your preferences and the length of your stay.

Where is the school located?

The school is at Via Ghibellina 88, in the historic centre of Florence, inside the 15th-century Palazzo Gherardi, a few steps from the Basilica of Santa Croce.

Do you issue a certificate at the end of the course?

Yes, at the end of the course the school issues a certificate of attendance.