The Courses
Accademia dei Ragazzi offers engaging Language Programs for children and youth (age 1-18). We offer Saturday Programs, Semi-Private and Private Lessons, as well as a Family Package. All Saturday Programs are In Person or Hybrid; Semi-Private and Private Lessons and the Family Package are also offered in person or online.
Winter Programs will run from Saturday, January 11 to Saturday, March 22, 2025. The calendar may vary in some locations. Our courses are specifically designed for different age groups and language proficiency levels in Italian, from toddlers (age 1 to 3) to Gr. 12/13 students (age 17 to 18).
Accademia is the first Italian school that offers programming in Italian for toddlers (children aged 1 to 3). This 10-hour course takes place on Saturday mornings at the 918 Bathurst Arts Centre. A parent must attend class with their child.
New! The Toddlers Program is also offered on Thursday mornings at 918 Bathurst Arts Centre https://918bathurst.com/. The course is based on the Reggio Emilia Approach, where children have the opportunity to learn the first words and sounds of the Italian language through songs, stories, tactile activities, games, and many other best practices.
In person and hybrid classes consist of 10 classes. The length of a class is 1 hour for toddlers (for a total duration of 10 hours), 1 and a half hours for young students (for a total duration of 15 hours) and 2 hours for older pupils (for a total duration of 20 hours). Class start time may vary for different courses (the earliest start time is 9:30 AM). Course fee starts at $250.
Accademia offers courses throughout the school year, offering quarterly sessions. The Fall Session runs from the end of September to December; the Winter Session runs from January to early April; while the Spring Session runs from the end of April to the end of June.
Our programs are designed for Italian native speakers, for those approaching learning Italian for the first time, and for all those who want to improve their language proficiency. We offer beginner, intermediate and advanced courses. Each class will adopt a textbook and will use specific teaching resources for reading and reading comprehension. You can purchase your textbook in class or online.
As well, Accademia dei Ragazzi helps teenagers prepare for the CILS exam (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language) from the University of Siena. "The CILS Certification is a recognized formal qualification that certifies the degree of competency in Italian as a second language (L2)."
Accademia has wide language programs that entail group courses in a classroom and private courses (at the client's home or online). One of the most suitable private courses for those approaching the Italian language for the first time is the Family Package, with which children and parents can learn Italian together. This course aims to give the whole family the opportunity to work together towards a common learning goal, and practice their Italian at home after seeing their teacher.
In 2022, our school started a collaboration project with the Department of Italian Studies at the University of Toronto (U. of T.). This partnership entails a two-fold collaboration: a) some second- and third-year U. of T. students will be an active support instructor group in Accademia's classes; and b) Accademia's students will participate in a dedicated event at the U. of T. Department of Italian Studies, and the theme of the event will focus on: theatre, music, reading, and Italian comics.
Accademia is pleased to welcome interns, volunteers who can support our classroom teachers, as well as high school students or co-op students who need school credits.