Small Classes, Manageable Curriculum, Relaxed Atmosphere

Small classes, manageable curriculum, relaxed atmosphere. Unlike other places where class size can be as high as 20 people (15 being probably the average), we limit ours to 7-8. Our average class size is 4-6 students , so everybody has the opportunity to work on improving their skills.

At the same time, we maintain prices that are very similar to our competition. As we want our students to have the best experience and results possible, we strive to make sure that students in a given group have a similar knowledge of the language. And, the instructor is always an experienced native speaker .

Most students who sign up for group classes will miss a session or two. While that is not ideal, it does not affect the student’s overall learning experience. That said, students are welcome to sit in another class, if a suitable course is available. We make every effort to make sure our students stay on track.

Tuition does not include lesson recordings and class attendance cannot be exchanged for lesson recordings. In other words, if a student is consistently unable to attend or withdraws after class start, lesson recordings will not be available.

Lesson recordings may be occasionally available upon request to students who miss a class and depending on a number of factors. Recordings need to be officially approved by the whole class. If any one student were to feel uncomfortable about it, lessons will not be recorded. Approval is discussed privately by email at the beginning of each quarter.

Also, we have limited storage capacity for recordings. To the extent occasional lessons may be recorded, priority would be given to classes marked "Beginner."

On average, an individual lesson costs three times more than a group class. As far as learning is concerned, from experience we can say that one hour of private instruction typically equals about three hours shared with a group. In other words, the two formats end up costing about the same comparing results.

There are two variables to consider when it comes to gauging the amount of time necessary: individual commitment and degree of fluency. Generally—and realistically—speaking, with a dozen hours of instruction a person is able to communicate essential needs and understand basic answers and expressions. After a year of regular instruction and study, the student should feel comfortable carrying on conversations with natives on most subject matters, although perhaps still utilizing a somewhat simple vocabulary. Many people wonder how long it takes to speak Italian as "beautifully" as the Italians do… Well, depending on individual predisposition, it could obviously take years, and several trips to Italy. Which, one could argue, might not turn out to be a bad predicament at all.

Normally, yes. A student should do as much work at home as it is done in class. One hour in class should be complemented by at least another hour of work at home for optimum progress. However, we understand that many of our students lead busy lives and we do keep that in mind.

A major problem for adults (linguistically, anybody over 14 or so) is the difficulty in identifying where one word ends and where the next one begins. Basically, two or more words are heard as one uninterrupted string of sounds.

Understanding a language is a skill like any other. The more exposure you get—listening to a native speaker in class, to CDs at home and in your car, to the radio over the internet—the more you are able to develop this ability of separating each word correctly. That is why it is crucial to hear Italian in class as much as possible.

Overall, it is a process that naturally takes time. Don't be frustrated by it.

1. Please drop us a line indicating what class you are interested in.

2. You can send tuition through ZELLE, a bank-to-bank fund transfer at our email address, or a check for the full amount of tuition to :

Nuovo Centro Italiano

PO Box 20002

Seattle, WA 98102

Please make the check out to "Nuovo Centro Italiano". We will hold on to the check until we are sure the class is a go. Please include your name and contact information ( phone number and email address ). We will keep you posted on the status of the class.

Please email us first to confirm availability: magda@centro-italiano.com