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Youth Language Classes (Age 3- 17)

Bilingual/Advanced Courses: Saturdays 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.


2026 - 2027  CALENDAR

FALL TERM: September 12 – December 12

Fall Open House: Saturday, September 5, 2026

NO classes on October 17 (MEA weekend) and November 28 (Thanksgiving weekend).


Course Information:

The Advanced/Bilingual track is designed for students with previous exposure to Italian; we recommend at least one parent speak Italian in the home or have regular opportunities to interact with Italian-speaking family members, such as during the summers. The 60-minute full-immersion weekly lessons are conducted by university-educated instructors with native fluency in Italian and target improving confidence in speaking and comprehension, as well as increasing vocabulary and grammatical understanding. 



Upcoming events

    • 12 Sep 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
    Register

    Join us for our YOUTH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE, now in our 4th year, but in a BRAND NEW SPACE! (553 1st Ave NE) - Exact time TBD.

    We are excited to welcome you to our friendly and inclusive community and to showcase all the fun things we offer. This is a great opportunity to:

    • Meet the Instructors: Get to know our caring and dedicated teachers, and hear about our course offerings. We can answer all your questions about our Italian classes for students age 3-17.
    • Discover our course offerings: We provide an enriching educational experience with a developmentally age-appropriate curriculum for kids and teens. Whether they are a beginner or native speaker, we have the perfect class.
    • Connect with Italophile parents: Engage with other parents who share your love for Italian culture and language. Join our supportive network, and exchange tips and experiences.
    • Enjoy Italian treats: Savor a delicious caffè e un biscottino in one of our beautiful classrooms located in the North Loop. Experience a little taste of Italy right here in our school.
    • Explore our library: Check out our expansive collection of books and films. Our library is a treasure trove of Italian literature and cinema that can provide endless learning opportunities.
    • Register for special events: Sign up early for several exclusive family events this Fall; we have a variety of exciting cultural and social activities planned that you will surely want to attend.

      This is a FREE family-friendly event. Bring the whole family and get to know the ICC Youth School.

      Vi aspettiamo!

      • 19 Sep 2026
      • 11:15 AM
      • 19 Dec 2026
      • 12:15 PM
      • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
      • 3
      Register


      Join us for a 60-minute, in-person, full-immersion lesson designed for preschool kids and kindergarteners who have previous exposure to Italian and the opportunity to hear Italian at home.

      These lessons will focus on vocabulary building and oral communication skills through interactive songs, stories, games, and imaginative play. We will also emphasize contemporary Italian culture and traditional holidays.

      Before each lesson, students are welcome to partake in a a safe-snack routine, immediately immersed in the Italian language as they wash their mani and enjoy their merenda.

      After each lesson, families will receive an email summary of the topics and activities covered in class, allowing families to reinforce the material at home throughout the week.

      Activity Book included!

      NOTE: NO classes on October 17 (MEA) and November 28 (Thanksgiving).


      • 19 Sep 2026
      • 11:15 AM
      • 19 Dec 2026
      • 12:15 PM
      • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
      • 8
      Register

      Explore our engaging 60-minute in-person lessons, designed for early elementary school children (1st-3rd graders) who want to immerse themselves in the Italian language or who have Italian-speaking backgrounds at home. Each lesson welcomes students with a safe-snack and handwashing routine before we move into the classroom for other routines and activities.

      These sessions aim to boost students' confidence in speaking and listening comprehension while introducing them to fundamental reading and writing skills in Italian. Activities are diverse and include interactive elements such as singing, dancing, acting, role-playing, and educational games.

      Following each lesson, families will receive a comprehensive email summary detailing the topics and activities covered during class to facilitate continued practice and reinforcement of learning throughout the week.

      Activity Book included!

      NOTE: NO classes on October 17 (MEA) and  November 28 (Thanksgiving).

      • 19 Sep 2026
      • 11:15 AM
      • 19 Dec 2026
      • 12:15 PM
      • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
      • 4
      Register

      Join our 60-minute, in-person, full-immersion Italian lesson designed for Middle School students with prior exposure to Italian or the opportunity to hear Italian at home.

      In this engaging course, students will work on:

      • vocabulary building and oral communication skills
      • reading, writing, pronunciation, and spelling
      • grammar
      • cultural competency

      Students will have a structured and progressive immersive learning experience by engaging in dynamic activities while following an age-appropriate workbook. Activities include role-play scenarios, conversation topics, 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, as well as exercises to review and practice at home during the week.

      Use this link to purchase book, Espresso Ragazzi 1 with e-book access code.

      NEW ACCELERATED OPTION!! Students interested in further enrichment and honing their conversation skills are suggested to enroll in the mid-week ONLINE conversation group, in which they will practice with the instructor to reinforce and apply concepts introduced in class. Simply select this option as your Guest Ticket with you regular enrollment.

      NOTE: NO classes on October 17 and November 28.

      • 19 Sep 2026
      • 11:15 AM
      • 19 Dec 2026
      • 12:30 PM
      • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
      • 5
      Register


      Explore our engaging 75-minute, in-person, full-immersion lesson for teens with previous exposure to Italian, or students who are bilingual in another romance language.

      Students will improve precision in their speaking and listening comprehension skills, build confidence in communicating with peers, expand their vocabulary and use of more complex grammar while deepening their cultural competency through comparisons informed by readings, writings, audio-visual media, and their own experiences. Discussions will be entirely in Italian and students will have the chance to engage with College-Board materials designed to prepare them for a possible Italian PLIDA Juniores Exam for H.S. or College Credit.

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

      ACCELERATED OPTION: Students interested in improving their fluency and increasing their confidence speaking can practicing everyday conversational skills in small groups, midweek with the instructor, ONLINE via GoogleMeet for 45 min. To learn more or sign up, CLICK HERE.

      NOTE: NO classes on October 17 (MEA) and November 28 (Thanksgiving)

      Please use this link to purchase book: Espresso Ragazzi 2, with e-bbok interattivo

      • 19 Sep 2026
      • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
      • Punch Pizza NE (210 E. Hennepin Ave)
      Register


      YOUTH SCHOOL MONTHLY PIZZA PRANZO: THIRD SATURDAYS OF EACH MONTH

      Gather after class for a family pranzo at Punch Pizza NE, 210 E. Hennepin Ave.

      Enjoy this opportunity to meet other parents, students, and extended family members in a warm and friendly setting. Magari pratichi anche un po' d'italiano! We look forward to another year of friendships and community through the ICC Youth School.

      Ci vediamo!

      • 23 Sep 2026
      • 6:00 PM
      • 16 Dec 2026
      • 6:45 PM
      • ONLINE
      • 6
      Register


      The INTERMEDIATE 'ACCELERATED' OPTION!

      Take advantage of our engaging 45-minute ONLINE conversational Italian practice sessions for Middle and High School students with previous experience studying Italian, but no necessary exposure to Italian at home. This class is considered ʼAcceleratedʼ not only because of student maturity and motivation, but because in addition to the in-person Saturday lessons at ICC it offers students a chance to practice and reinforce previously presented material in smaller groups, focussing on conversational fluency and confidence.

      This second mini-lesson each week ensures students engage effectively with the material more frequently, at regular intervals, and are better prepared for each Saturday, thus helping them reach their proficiency goals sooner. Students will build their confidence in comprehension and speaking skills, improve their automaticity in Italian, and apply grammatical concepts while focussing on everyday conversational topics with peers.

      • 26 Sep 2026
      • 9:00 AM
      • 12 Dec 2026
      • 9:45 AM
      • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
      Register


      Immerse your child in the beauty of the Italian language and culture through our interactive story-time sessions and delightful social activities!

      The Italian Cultural Center Youth School warmly invites families—parents, grandparents, and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years—to join us for a series of  10 informal intergenerational gatherings on Saturday mornings at the ICC. Toddler Time is an interactive story-time combined with arts and crafts related to the story, and/or music (song and movement), and ends with some playtime so families can interact independently. (You will need to register separately for each session.) 

      Session Dates: Saturdays from 9am - 9:45am, Sept 26 - Dec 12 (NO CLASSES on OCTOBER 17 and NOVEMBER 28).

      This series is FREE for all ICC Youth School Family Members, but donations are TRULY APPRECIATED, and help us continue to offer programs such as these.

      REGISTER NOW, and don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to spark your child’s curiosity, build community, and lay the foundation for multilingualism!

      • 26 Sep 2026
      • 11:15 AM
      • 12 Dec 2026
      • 12:15 PM
      • NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413
      • 5
      Register


      Italiano Espresso per Genitori is a 10-hr course for parents whose children are enrolled in ICC's Youth School classes. This course is designed to help parents - who have previously studied Italian for over a year, or who are bilingual in Spanish - improve their previous knowledge of Italian grammar and speak with more confidence. Each session focuses on essential vocabulary, phrases, and grammar.

      Session Dates/Times:

      • 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on Saturdays (Sept. 26 through Dec. 12)
      • except NO class on Oct 17 and Nov 28!

      Space is limited, so register now to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to enrich your family’s multilingual experience! Enrollment is limited to parents whose children are currently enrolled in ICC's YS classes.

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    553 First Ave. NE
    Minneapolis, MN 55413
    (612) 295-4111

    The Italian Cultural Center of Minneapolis/St. Paul is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization © Italian Cultural Center All Rights Reserved
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