Join our membership so you can attend our language courses! All Italy lovers are welcome!

Learn Italian language and culture through the lens of Italy’s rich visual arts. Starting from your current language level, we will build the grammar and vocabulary needed to converse about Italian beauty with fun. Week by week, sentence by sentence, we will explore our favorite Italian masterpieces—paintings, sculptures, architecture, design, and everything in between. From famous icons to hidden gems, we will relive past memories and plan future trips, taking an unforgettable journey through Italy’s vibrant cultural landscape.

COURSE STRUCTURE: Students prepare at home by studying the textbook, completing exercises, and writing a few talking points. In class, we will review some exercises and enjoy some interactive activities to put Italian into practice.

REGISTRATION: Required. Max 12 students, classes often sell out, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated. All students must be members, no guests are allowed, not even for Dual members.

DATES: Eight Tuesdays. Pizza party optional at the end of the course.

LEVELS: Sign up for the class that you think fits you best. On the first day of class, you can try other levels and change class if you wish. In addition to your level, you can also audit other levels throughout the whole course (listening only, no talking).

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): For students who have no or minimal grasp of the Italian language—we’ll cover up to chapter 10.
• Intermediate Level 2 (6-7:30pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 1—we’ll cover chapters 11-20 but mainly focus on conversation.
• Advanced Level 3 (7:30-9pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 2—we’ll cover from chapter 21 to the end of the book but mainly focus on conversation.

BOOK: “Italian grammar in practice” with interactive ebook by Susanna Nocchi (2022, English edition). You can find it at Alma Edizioni, Libreria Pino, and other websites. The paper copy includes an interactive e-book which allows you to access all contents, audio files, and exercises with self-correction online.

PARKING: First Unitarian Church of Honolulu, 2500 Pali Highway, Honolulu. Abundant free parking on site.

INSTRUCTOR: Chiara Logli is originally from Bologna (Italy) and holds a Ph.D. in international/cross-cultural education from the University of Hawaii and East-West Center. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor and Institutional Assessment Specialist for the Honolulu Community College. In the past, she worked for the University of California Berkeley's International House, University of California Santa Barbara's Multicultural Center, Arts Council for Monterey County, and USAID in Indonesia. She also received the Peace Fellowship from Rotary International in Thailand and collaborated with UNICEF, UNDP, as well as International Baccalaureate Schools. She started teaching Italian language when she was 23 years old and never stopped, including for the Dante Alighieri Society in Santa Cruz and the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco. In her free time, she dances hula with Hālau Kaulakahi, loves the ocean, and enjoys traveling by boat around small islands or by foot on high mountains.

NOTE:  The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.