CILS B1 CITTADINANZA exam
Next exam: 11th June 2025
You can register for this exam with us now

Since 4 December 2018 applications for Italian Citizenship, regardless of residence or marital status, need to include an Italian language certificate to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the Italian language. This has to be to at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages.

The simplest way to achieve this certification is by taking the CILS B1 CITTADINANZA exam.

If your Italian is B1 (CEFR) or higher, and you are interested in sitting the exam, please contact us, or you can register online here.

IMPORTANT: Places are limited, and are allocated on a first-come first-served basis. The exam fee is £155. Please note that registration for the exam on 11th June 2025 closes on 28th April 2025.

We also offer a B1 citizenship preparation course specifically aimed at the exam. This course requires that you have already reached B1 CEFR Italian. If you are not yet at B1 CEFR level, we have regular courses and private tuition all all levels so that you can study towards this level.

Private tuition is available for students who prefer to have preparatory lessons on a one-to-one basis, rather than in a group.

June 11th 2025 exam preparatory course (ONLINE)
5 lessons: 6-10 June 2025, evenings, time TBC. 1 hour each lesson + assignments (homework).
Course fee £150

Please contact us for further information.

You can find more information about the exam and samples here.

CILS exams - other levels

CILS exams are also available at other levels as below. If you need formal recognition of your competence at a given level of Italian, these are a way of certifying this. These exams are separate from the Citizenship exam described above. Any of these exams can be taken if your Italian is at the relevant level. If you need tuition to improve your Italian at any level, we have a full range of regular courses and private tuition.

CILS A1
CILS A2
CILS UNO-B1
CILS DUE-B2
CILS TRE-C1
CILS QUATTRO-C2

A full list of official UNISTRASI CILS exam dates for 2025 may be found here.

Please contact us for further information.

Book Club

What is the Book Club about?
A perfect way to read (naturally!), converse, and improve your Italian overall, the Book Club will be dedicated to Italian literature. The Club will discuss the most interesting and famous Italian authors and their works, from classics to modern and contemporary books. Each session will deal with a different writer/period, and excerpts, or the entire book, will be read in advance. There will also be activities to improve on your vocabulary, grammar, listening and speaking skills.

What is the session about?
This Book Club session will be dedicated to "Oliva Denaro" by Viola Ardone. Set in Sicily in the 1960s, this novel explores the struggles of a young woman who dares to challenge societal expectations and the injustice of marriage laws at the time. Inspired by real events, the story follows Oliva, a girl who dreams of freedom but finds herself trapped in a world where honor dictates a woman's fate. Through her journey, the novel addresses themes of gender inequality, personal courage, and the fight for self-determination.

What will we cover?
Vista la recente uscita del film Netflix “Il treno dei bambini”, gi{ studiato insieme e tratto dall’omonimo romanzo della stessa scrittrice, l’incontro sarà dedicato al romanzo Oliva Denaro di Viola Ardone, una storia intensa e toccante ispirata a vicende reali. Ambientato nella Sicilia degli anni ’60, il libro segue la protagonista, Oliva, una giovane che si ribella alle regole imposte dalla società e alla pratica del matrimonio riparatore. La sua battaglia per la libertà e l’autodeterminazione diventa il simbolo di un cambiamento storico nella condizione femminile in Italia. Attraverso lo stile evocativo di Viola Ardone, il romanzo affronta temi come l'onore, la famiglia e il ruolo della donna, offrendo spunti di riflessione sul passato e sulle conquiste sociali raggiunte nel tempo. La lettura di alcuni estratti selezionati guiderà la discussione su questi argomenti, incoraggiando un confronto sulla loro attualità e rilevanza.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The Book Club is entirely in Italian and you should have an intermediate /advanced knowledge of Italian.

The tutor
The tutor has a degree in Literature and is qualified to teach Italian to foreigners as LS and several years of experience in tutoring.

Dates & Time
(bimonthly, last Sunday): February, April, June, September, November

Fee
£26 (1½ hours)

Book Club 27 April 2025, 15:30 - 17:00

Italian through Art

This workshop seeks to offer the opportunity to improve knowledge of Italian Art and language (if you know or study Italian) through art and visual stimuli and bespoke didactic material. The workshop is suitable to everybody as it will be given both in Italian and in English. Dates: (bimonthly, second Sunday): April, June 15, September, November  Next date: 13th April 2025 10:00-11:30 I Giardini dell’Antichità This workshop will analyse the evolution of the garden in the ancient world, particularly in Rome: gardens were considered places of leisure and peace, and their representation was not only a beautiful sight but could improve intellectual and spiritual development or even reflect the glory of the emperor. Level: For all levels. Students will be grouped according to their knowledge of Italian. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English. Fee: £26

Art Workshop 13 April 2025

NEW: 5 Lessons of Italian History of Art (Online)

Join our weekly workshop and enhance your understanding of Italian History of Art and language through visual stimuli and bespoke didactic material. This five-week course is suitable for everyone and will be conducted in both Italian and English, making it accessible to all participants. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a language learner, this five-session workshop offers a unique opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Italian art and culture. Arte Etrusca: Explore the rich and mysterious world of Etruscan art, its origins, and its influence on later Italian culture. Arte Romana I: Delve into the grandeur of early Roman art, from Republic to Empire, examining iconic works and architectural marvels. Arte Romana II: Continue the journey through Roman art, focusing on the later periods and the integration of various cultural influences. Arte Paleocristiana: Discover the early Christian art that emerged as a new religious identity formed, with its unique symbols and styles. Arte Bizantina: Experience the splendour of Byzantine art, known for its intricate mosaics, religious iconography, and lasting impact on the Italian artistic heritage. Dates: Saturdays 1 - 29 March Time: 10:00-11:30 Level: For all levels. Students will be grouped according to their knowledge of Italian. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English. Fee: £130

History of Art 1-29 March 2025

Italian Cinema Club (online)

The Italian Club invites you to familiarise with the main historical, cultural and social aspects of Italian filmmaking by looking at the work of some of its most influential authors/actors/directors.

Dates (bimonthly, third Saturday): March, May, July, October

Next date: 15th March 2025 11:45-12:45

What is the session about? This Film Club session will focus on Smetto quando voglio by Sydney Sibilia, a sharp and entertaining Italian comedy that blends crime, satire, and social commentary. The film follows a group of brilliant but underpaid academics who, struggling to make ends meet, decide to apply their knowledge to the illegal production and distribution of smart drugs. What starts as a seemingly harmless venture quickly spirals out of control, leading to absurd and unpredictable consequences. With its witty dialogues and dynamic storytelling, Smetto quando voglio offers an ironic critique of Italy’s economic crisis and the struggles of the intellectual class.

What will we cover? L’incontro sarà dedicato al film Smetto quando voglio di Sydney Sibilia, una commedia intelligente che mescola il genere crime con la satira sociale. Il film racconta la storia di Pietro Zinni, un ricercatore universitario disoccupato che, insieme a un gruppo di brillanti ex accademici, decide di entrare nel mondo della produzione di droghe sintetiche. Quello che inizia come un piano geniale per sfruttare le loro competenze scientifiche si trasforma presto in un'avventura caotica e surreale. Attraverso un linguaggio ironico e uno stile dinamico, il film affronta temi attuali come la precarietà lavorativa, la fuga dei cervelli e il valore della conoscenza nella società contemporanea. Durante la discussione, analizzeremo le scene più emblematiche, il carattere dei protagonisti e il messaggio sociale del film, confrontandolo con altre opere cinematografiche che trattano la crisi del lavoro e il disagio giovanile in Italia.

Fee:  £21

Cinema Club 17 May 11:45-12:45

Italian on Foot

Practise your Italian in the most natural way possible. 40 minutes of this 1 hour session will be spent talking in Italian with your teacher, whilst you stop in front of shops, parks and gardens (according to where the tour takes place) and of course at an Italian bar where you will carry on conversing over a coffee and recap all what you have learnt without effort with your specialised tutor. What better than this? Small groups or individually (all levels, apart from absolute Beginners).

Dates (once a term): 5 April, 5 July 2025
Time: 11:00-12:00

Level: For all levels except absolute Beginners

Fee: £24 (in small groups) or ask for individual fees.

Please contact us for more information

Conversation
Simply conversation! - Online and F2F

Our students love these sessions!

Our conversation workshops are super to improve, learn and consolidate your Italian with a difference. Perfect to refresh and "let your Italian go", these workshops are very useful to enlarge your vocabulary, deal with social situations more confidently, and complement any Italian lessons. Through specific stimuli and activities you will be encouraged to practise your conversation and pronunciation in Italian, and speak more fluently. Available on several days of the week online and F2F, intensive, sem-iintensive or regular, to spoil you with choice and leave you with no excuse that you are busy that day!!

Different levels on different days of the week can be combined, if you want to practise more. A different topic is dealt in each session.

2025 Dates: from w/c 31 March & 07 April

Time: TBC
Level:  For all levels, from Beginner 1+ onward
Fee (3 sessions of 1.5 hours each): £78

Contact us for further information.

Breaking News!

Unlock the power of discussing current events in Italian! This exciting course is your gateway to enhancing your vocabulary, refining your listening and speaking skills, and staying abreast of Italian affairs.

In our Breaking News Conversation Classes, you will:

• Broaden Your Vocabulary: Explore the latest headlines, political developments, cultural trends, and more. You'll learn essential vocabulary and phrases for discussing diverse topics.
• Sharpen Your Listening Skills: Engage in live discussions and analyse real-time news broadcasts. Improve your comprehension and become a more attentive listener.
• Hone Your Speaking Skills: Participate actively in thought-provoking conversations. Practice articulating your thoughts and opinions in Italian, boosting your confidence in speaking.
• Stay Updated with Italian Affairs: Gain a deep understanding of Italy's current events and culture. Be well-informed and ready to converse about contemporary topics.

Don't miss this opportunity to take your Italian language skills to the next level while staying connected to the dynamic world of Italian affairs. Join us for our Breaking News Conversation Classes, where learning and current events converge seamlessly!

Level: For Intermediate levels upwards

Fee: £21 (per session)

Dates:
Please contact us for more information

Grammar Workshop
If you feel you could benefit from concentrating on Italian grammar, this course can put the finishing touches to your spoken and written skills. Learn how to avoid errors, and raise your overall level of communication. This is a great opportunity to firm up on your Italian grammar and consolidate your Italian language studies!

What will be covered?
In 1½ hours, we will try to cover the main topics of the grammar for your level, troubleshooting the most tricky areas and errors. Can we succeed in this heroic adventure? Come and find out!

NOTE: You are welcome to take more than one level on the same day.

Beginner 1+, 10:00-11:30
Agreement adjectives & nouns, definitive articles singular & plural, regular & irregular verbs.

Beginner 2 & 3, 12:00-13:30
Passato prossimo (present perfect), reflexives verbs. Regular and irregular verbs.

Advanced 1 & 2, 12:30-14:00
Dislocazione a destra e a sinistra dei pronomi.

Intermediate 1, 2, & 3, 13:30-15:00
Imperfect vs. Present Perfect.

Pre-Advanced 1, 2, & 3, 15:00-16:30
Prepositions with verbs and nouns

Date: TBC

Level: For all levels
Fee for an individual session: £26

Please contact us for more information

Italian Through the Cities in Italy (online)

If you can't travel to Italy, we'll bring Italy to you. Whether you're eager to explore a region you plan to visit in the future or deepen your knowledge of your favourite Italian cities, this class is the perfect choice. Let's explore the life, food, curiosities, traditions, culture, and history of the Italian cities (known and unknown) through the eyes and experiences of a tutor who is originally from the region or has a strong connection to it.

Given in Italian and English, this special workshop is for everybody. Just come along to absorb La Dolce Vita, il Bel Paese and la Divina Lingua.

Cities of the Piemonte, Umbria, Valle d’Aosta, Trentino Alto Adige and Lazio regions will be the upcoming jewels to be discovered.

Dates (bimonthly, first Sunday): April, June, September, November
Time: 15:30-16:30
Level: For all levels. Students will be grouped according to their knowledge of Italian. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English.

Fee: £21

Please contact us for further information.

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Italian Opera Club (online)

Opera as an Art form has contributed enormously to the shaping of Italian worldwide cultural legacy with composers as Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi and Puccini

Dates (bimonthly, first Friday): May, July, October
Time: 18:30-19:30

Level: For all levels. The workshop will be given both in Italian and English.
Fee: £21

Please contact us for further information.

Writing Workshop

The small group sessions will exclusively focus on written Italian. Each session is charged for 1 hour, half an hour of which will be spent with a tutor to work on pre-task activities, explore the building blocks of good writing and spelling exercises ("ortografia"). In each Zoom meeting the tutor will assign a different essay for the students to write at home and which will be individually corrected (hence the other 30 minutes of the hour). The tutor will help to identify areas for writing and structure development, with corrections and explanation of any grammar/spelling mistakes to enrich your vocabulary.

The essays will deal with different types of writing (creative writing, letters/emails, stories, reviews) and will be an invaluable help for CILS exam candidates, GCSE & A' level Italian students, or simply for anybody who likes to write and knows they would benefit from language inputs and advice to write in a foreign language.

Also the following aspects will be dealt with: Punctuation & Spelling

Duration:	30 minutes per session + 30 minutes homework assignment
Location:	Online
Next dates:	TBC
Fee:	£21 (per session)

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Improve your written Italian for exams – Special Edition

Especially ideal for all CILS candidates who would like to improve their written skills and get familiarised with the written part of the CILS exams, the workshop will focus on past papers practice and how to compose and address written complaints, job applications and request information in Italian. Also the following aspects will be dealt with:

• Paragraph structure
• Proofreading
• Adding variety to your sentences.

Duration:	1 hour
Location:	Online
Dates:	TBC
Fee:	£24 (per session)

Please contact us for further information.

History of Italian Food and Cuisine (online) 1 Title, 2 aims, 2 dates A gastronomic journey through Italy, its culture and its history. 6 meetings on the History of Italian Food and Cooking. From Tirami su to Pastiera, from Grana Padano to Cotoletta alla Milanese from Pizza to Gelato, from Neapolitan Babà to Lombard Panettone, we're about to take an exciting journey through the culinary wonders of Italy. From the exquisite wines of Veneto to the delectable sweets of Sicily, we'll guide you through a flavourful exploration. Each lesson will delve into the historical context, taking you on a virtual tour of Italy's rich food and wine heritage. With captivating stories, fascinating titbits, vivid images, and lively language, you're in for a mouthwatering experience that will transport you to Italy's glorious past. Get ready to discover that in Italy, cuisine is more than just food – it's a rich tapestry of culture and history that's sure to make your taste buds tingle! Whether you are an Italian or English speaker and you would exclusively like to focus on the cultural aspect of the topic, this is the date for you. The History of Italian Food and Cuisine will have a talk/seminar format and will be followed by a short Q&A session. The workshop will be given online only in Italian. If your aim is to improve your Italian language skills without sacrificing the cultural aspect of it, this is the date for you. The History of Italian Food and Cuisine will be delivered in Italian to all levels (apart from Absolute Beginners) from Beginners+ to Advanced, and there will be activities with a focus on both the Italian language and culture. The workshop will be given online both in Italian and English. Speaker and tutor: Samuele MacFadden Fee: £21 Please contact us for further information.

(1-to-1 or small group) allows you greater flexibility in learning and can more easily focus on the areas of interest or importance to you. Our tutors come to your office or home, or can teach you online.

Tuition fees:
In-person (F2F) and Online

No of students	Single trial lesson (per hour)	Miinimum 9 hours paid in advance (per hour)
1	£44	£42
2	£48	£46	(total shared between students)
3	£54	£51	(total shared between students)

1. All F2F lessons subject to a minimum 1½ hours per lesson for in-person tuition unless otherwise agreed.
2. All Online lessons subject to a minimum 1 hour per lesson for online tuition unless otherwise agreed.

NOTE: For face-to-face (in person) tuition within London Zones 1 & 2, there is a flat-rate charge of £6 per lesson to cover the tutor's travel expenses. If you require tuition outside Zones, or outside the London travel zones, please notify us of this and we will be happy to quote the appropriate rate for travel.

We have a wide range of tuition methods, and employ enthusiastic, qualified and fully trained teachers to design training courses and deliver efficient language training in-house.

After an initial consultation with your company covering your current proficiency in Italian (if applicable) and your specific needs and and objectives, we will put together the most suitable language programme, including a feedback and assessment schedule for your consideration.

Tuition fees:

In person
Based on minimum of 9 hours paid in advance:
1 Student: £46 p.h.
2 Students: £50 p.h. (shared between students)
3 Students: £54 p.h. (shared between students)
4+ Students - we can offer competitive group rates

Online
Based on minimum of 9 hours paid in advance:
1 Student: £43 p.h.
2 Students: £47 p.h. (shared between students)
3 Students: £51 p.h. (shared between students)
4+ Students - we can offer competitive group rates

NOTE: Travel expenses are applicable for in-person lessons.

Contact us for more information