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Youth Language Classes (Age 3- 17)

Beginner/Pre Intermediate Courses: Saturdays, 10-11 a.m.


2026 CALENDAR

WINTER/SPRING TERM: February 14 – May 16

Winter Open House (& Festa della Befana)  Sunday, January 4, 2026

NO classes on March 14 and April 4.  

Cost: $290 for first child, $260 for second (or third, etc.) child.


Course Information:

The Beginner/Intermediate track is designed for students with little to no exposure to Italian outside of class. The 60-minute weekly lessons are conducted by university-educated instructors with native fluency in Italian and emphasize the gradual and progressive acquisition of basic speaking, listening comprehension, reading, writing, and grammar skills as students advance through the program. 



Upcoming events

    • 13 Dec 2025
    • 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Traffic Zone Building, 250 Third Avenue N. Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
    Register


    Youth School's FESTA DI NATALE and POTLUCK

    DECEMBER 13, 2025

    Join us for our Annual Youth School Holiday Tradition!

    Youth School students of all ages and proficiency levels, along with their extended families, are invited to immerse themselves in a variety of Italian Christmas traditions.

    Tombola: Experience Italy's most quintessential Christmas game, a beloved holiday pastime that brings family and friends together.

    Mercante in Fiera: Always a hit, this popular (yet lesser-known) game is very Italian and very fun. Kids will learn vocabulary and win prizes! 

    Pizzelle: Learn to make one of Italy's iconic sweet treats, perfect for the holiday season.

    Biglietti di Auguri: Make Natale-themed arts and crafts, or write a holiday card to someone you love, all in Italian, with some great new expressions! 

    Celebrate the holidays by practicing new vocabulary, socializing, and enjoying some favorite Italian Christmas treats, including delicious desserts and festive fun!

    RSVP and let us know what you will bring to the Potluck.

    BUON NATALE!

    • 04 Jan 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
    Register


    JOIN US in celebrating a favorite Italian holiday with fun activities for children! Experience one of the many cultural and language-learning opportunities for kids and families at the ICC Youth School Winter Open House.

    Stop by our fabulous location in the North Loop's Traffic Zone Building.

    Meet our teachers, see our classrooms, explore our extensive library, find out about upcoming classes and events, and...


    Discover this beloved tradition, which is uniquely Italian!

    -> read a story about La Befana

    -> sing a song about La Befana

    -> write a letter to La Befana

    -> design crafts related to La Befana 

    -> taste traditional sweet treats called " I Befanini" and.....

    MEET LA BEFANA!! 

    "Buona Befana!"



    • 24 Jan 2026
    • 08 Feb 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 250 Third Avenue N. Suite 625, Minneapolis, MN 55401
    • 14
    Register


    JOIN the ICC Youth School in preparation for this year's Carnevale di Venezia by designing, creating, and decorating your own traditional papier-mache mask. (Si dice maschera in cartapesta in italiano!)

    Learn this world-famous craft from long-time ICC member Kayte Norini (of South Minneapolisʼ Powderhorn Arts and Theater fame!), who will lead this two-part workshop. At Session 1 each student will create a design for the mask and build the armature (frame) of the mask, and then cover the maskʼs surface with cartapesta. At Session 2, the mask will be dry and ready for decoration! The skyʼs the limit with color and shine and bling! Do not miss out on this truly memorable event, a hands-on, super-fun cultural learning experience for all ages. 

    (This event is recommended for children 8 and older.) Parent and Grandparents are welcome to listen in on the historical explanations, but we have a limited number of spaces around the mask-making table, so donʼt miss out!

    Vi aspettiamo!

    • 14 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • 16 May 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625 Minneapolis, MN 55401
    • 6
    Register


    Join us for a 60-minute in-person lesson designed for preschool and kindergarten children with little or no exposure to Italian. Our engaging sessions focus on vocabulary building and oral communication skills through interactive songs, stories, games, and imaginative play. Students will also learn about contemporary Italian culture around traditional holidays.

    After each lesson, families will receive an email summary of the topics and activities covered in class. We will also provide links to the music, online games, and videos used, allowing families to reinforce the material at home throughout the week.

    Activity Book included!

    NOTE: NO classes on March 14 and April 4.

    • 14 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • 16 May 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625 Minneapolis, MN 55401
    • 2
    Register


    Join us for a 60-minute in-person lesson designed for Elementary School children with little or no exposure to Italian. Students will build their confidence in speaking and listening by focusing on vocabulary and oral communication skills through interactive songs, dances, stories, games, and imaginative play. They will also explore simple reading and writing in Italian. The lessons will emphasize contemporary Italian culture, traditional holidays, and geography.

    After each lesson, families will receive a summary of the topics and activities covered, suggestions, and links for optional exercises to practice at home during the week.

    Activity Book included!

    NOTE: NO classes on March 14 and April 4.
    • 14 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • 16 May 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625 Minneapolis, MN 55401
    • 3
    Register


    This 60-minute in-person lesson is designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students with little or no exposure to Italian.

    The focus will be on building vocabulary, enhancing oral communication skills, reading, writing, pronunciation, spelling, as well as cultural competency.

    Students will have a structured and progressive learning experience by engaging in dynamic activities while following an age-appropriate workbook. Our dynamic activities include role-plays, music, movement, and games, all conducted entirely in Italian. We also emphasize contemporary Italian culture, traditional holidays, and geography. 

    After each lesson, families will receive an email summary of the topics and activities covered in class. We will also provide suggestions and links for optional exercises to review and practice at home during the week.

    Activity Book included!

    NOTE: NO class on March 14 and April 4.

    • 14 Feb 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • 16 May 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • Traffic Zone Building 250 Third Avenue N, Suite 625 Minneapolis, MN 55401
    • 10
    Register


    Explore our engaging 60-minute, in-person, communicative Italian lesson for Middle and High School students with little or no exposure to Italian at home.

    Students will build their speaking and listening comprehension confidence, improve their reading and writing skills in Italian, and explore grammatical concepts while expanding their cultural competency.

    Students will have a structured and progressive learning experience by engaging in dynamic activities while following an age-appropriate materials. After each lesson, families will receive an email summary of the topics and activities covered in class, along with optional material to practice the material during the week.

    Please use this link to purchase book Espresso Ragazzi 1, incl. e-book access code.

    NOTE: NO classes on March 14 and April 4.

    FINALLY, the long-awaited ACCELERATED OPTION! This class offers students a chance to reinforce and expand upon the previewed materials by practicing conversational communication skills and review in small groups with the instructor ONLINE via GoogleMeet mid-week (Tuesdays or Wednesdays at 6pm, TBD) for an extra 30 minutes. This Accelerated Option can be purchased as a "Guest ticket" with the regular enrollment.

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250 Third Ave. N, Suite 625
Minneapolis, MN 55401
(612) 295-4111

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