Youth School Classes and Events

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

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

2026 CALENDAR

FALL TERM: September 19 – December 19

Fall Open House: Saturday, September 12, 2026

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

Course Information:

The Beginner/Intermediate track is designed for students with little to no exposure to Italian outside of class. The Beginner/Intermediate track focuses on the gradual development of foundational speaking, listening, reading, writing, and grammar skills as students progress through the program.

The Advanced/Bilingual track is intended for students with previous exposure to Italian, ideally through an Italian-speaking parent or regular opportunities to interact with Italian-speaking family members, such as during the summer. The Advanced/Bilingual track provides full immersion in Italian, with an emphasis on building confidence in speaking and comprehension while expanding vocabulary and strengthening grammatical understanding.

Both tracks offer 60-minute weekly lessons taught by university-educated instructors with native-level fluency in Italian.

Upcoming events

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I PICCOLI Beginners / "Italiano in Famiglia!" (Age 3-6) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

10:00 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

11:00 AM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

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Join us for a 60-minute in-person lesson designed for kids and parents to learn everyday Italian... together. The whole family will experience Italian in a fun and "natural" way, learning by doing. Each class presents vocabulary, expressions, and conversational elements related to a theme (e.g., food/meals, clothes/getting dressed, house/morning routine, and toys/play-time). Enjoy building oral communication skills and the foundations for proficiency in Italian through highly interactive lessons filled with movement, songs, stories, games, and imaginative play.

These engaging lessons will give parents the tools to immediately incorporate Italian into the home in a variety of natural routines. The instructor, Tiah Colacci, herself a heritage language-learner and a parent raising bilingual kids, is highly qualified with an M.A. in Instruction and a specialization in K-12 literacy.

Students will end each lesson with a safe-snack routine, still fully immersed in the Italian language as they wash their mani and enjoy their merenda.

Activity Book included!

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

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I MEDI Beginner/Intermediate (Age 7-9) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

10:00 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

11:00 AM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
1

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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.

Students can end each lesson with a safe-snack routine, still 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).

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I GRANDI Beginner/Intermediate (Age 9-12) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

10:00 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

11:00 AM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
4

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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 for exercises to review and practice at home during the week.

Activity Book included!

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

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I TEEN (Beginner/Intermediate) Italian Grammar and Conversation (Age 12+) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

10:00 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

11:00 AM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
1

Register

Explore our engaging 60-minute, in-person, (with optional 45 min online) full-immersion lesson for High School students with little or no previous exposure to Italian.

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.

ACCELERATED OPTION: Students can reinforce and expand upon previewed materials by practicing conversational skills in small groups, midweek with the instructor, ONLINE via GoogleMeet for 45 min. To learn more or sign up, CLICK HERE.

Link to purchase book: Espresso Ragazzi 1, incl. e-book access code.

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

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I PICCOLI Bilingual (Age 3-6) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

11:15 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

12:15 PM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
4

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).

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I MEDI Advanced/Bilingual (Age 6-9) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

11:15 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

12:15 PM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
2

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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).

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I GRANDI Advanced/Bilingual (Age 9-12) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

11:15 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

12:15 PM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
1

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.

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I TEEN (Bilingue) GRAMMATICA e CONVERSAZIONE (Age 13+) YF26

Start
19 Sep 2026

11:15 AM

End
19 Dec 2026

12:30 PM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
4

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

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Youth School PIZZA PRANZO @ Punch NE

When
19 Sep 2026

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Location
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. Order and pay for your own meal, and look for the ICC table(s).

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 o giochi ad una partita di carte!

We look forward to another year of friendships and community through the ICC Youth School.

Ci vediamo a Punch!

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ONLINE CONVERSATION PRACTICE! Intermediate/ Adv. Beginner Italian Conversation for T(W)EENS (Age 11+) YF26

Start
23 Sep 2026

6:00 PM

End
16 Dec 2026

6:45 PM

Location
ONLINE

Spaces left
4

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.

A second mid-week 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.

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Toddler Time: Italian immersion for our youngest learners! YF26TT

Start
26 Sep 2026

9:00 AM

End
12 Dec 2026

9:45 AM

Location
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!

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Italiano per i Genitori Intermedio/Avanzato (B1 or above) YF26IPG

Start
26 Sep 2026

11:15 AM

End
12 Dec 2026

12:15 PM

Location
NEW LOCATION! 553 First Ave. NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

Spaces left
5

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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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PARTITA di BEISBOL - Annual ICC YS Twins Game

When
26 Sep 2026

3:10 PM

Register

It's the ICC Youth School's ANNUAL Back-to-Italiano PARTITA dei TWINS!

Join us on Saturday, September 26, for a 3:10 p.m. PARTITA di BEISBOL!

This is a family-friendly, inclusive, ADA- accessible, FREE EVENT for our ICC Youth School Family Members. ICC YS Families can reserve FREE tickets, first-come-first-serve!

Deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 23rd. Tickets will be strategically distributed on the day of the game via the MLB app to ensure we can all sit together. Don't forget to add the number of guests you will be bringing along. Extended family and loved ones are welcome!

For any questions, contact sabrina@theitalianculturalcenter.org

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