Italia 500 Italian Centre for Language & Cultural Studies

Fantastic experience: I thoroughly enjoyed the four week “Italian for Travellers” class. The classes were tailored to what the participants wanted to learn, with lots of repetition to help you remember phrases. The classes were fun & we even enjoyed some food & drink along the way. I would thoroughly recommend Italia 500 & would definitely do another course with them.

Fantastic experience: I’ve just wrapped up Beginner 1 at Italia 500 and I could not recommend it more highly to anyone wanting to learn Italian! Giacomo is an excellent teacher. His ability to create such a warm, supportive, and fun environment in his classes has been incredibly conducive to my learning. Any timidity I had going in about speaking Italian in front of others melted away by the end of the first lesson, and Giacomo’s energy and encouragement to make mistakes has meant that I’ve walked away from these first 8 weeks with the ability to confidently translate in real time. The Beginner 1 course is practical and conversational from the get-go and as such makes it a great course if you’re brushing up on the language before travelling or aiming to build fluency long term (like me!). In addition to the language skills, I’ve also walked away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of Italian culture and history, thanks to Giacomo’s ability to seamlessly integrate culture into each lesson. The real highlight however has been getting to know my fellow classmates and learning alongside them! I found our class to be a wonderful mix of people from different backgrounds and life stages, and all with our owns reasons for learning Italian. Everyone was so lovely and eager to learn, which meant that we got so much out of our lessons by practicing together; much more than if we were to be learning online or off a textbook. Additionally, the course is great value for money, especially when you take into consideration the audio files that Giacomo has lovingly put together. Being able to practice at home in between lessons really enabled me to embed what we were learning week to week. TL;DR Italia 500 is fantastic and will give you a really well-rounded and practical handle on the language and you should definitely enrol if you’re thinking about picking up Italian! Grazie mille Giacomo, can’t wait to start Beginner 2!!

Fantastic experience: After just completing beginner italian 1 and 2 I highly recommend italia 500 to anyone eager to start learning italian. The classes are one of the highlights of my week, they are well structured and engaging, creating a rewarding yet fun learning environment. You learn how to speak Italian from the first day and the grammar is taught in the most understandable way. Learning with others in the class allows you to to build on your conversational skills together without fear of messing up as everyone is so kind and supportive and aiming for the same goal. If your lucky enough to get Giacomo as a teacher he is one of the BEST! He not only is the funniest person but is the most spirited and passionate teacher who you can tell loves what he does. Not only does he teach the language but also the culture of Italy through stories, gestures, and daily life. The classes are small which allows the teacher to target everyone’s specific needs, when you or the class is stuck Giacomo is the most patient and supportive teacher ensuring that everyone is on the same page and he makes some of the most difficult grammar concepts seem easy. From knowing hardly anything at the start he’s really helped me gain confidence in speaking Italian and I’ve learned so much in such a short amount of time. I cannot wait to continue learning with Italia 500 and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an effective, enjoyable way to learn Italian that truly sticks. Grazie mille

Fantastic experience: I honestly loved my time at this Italian school. From day one, it felt really welcoming and relaxed, but still super focused on helping everyone actually learn Italian. Giacomo was patient, encouraging, and really good at explaining things in a way that makes sense. I learned so much while I was there, and i'm still using what I learned in my conversations today. It gave me such a solid foundation and i'm so grateful for everything I took away from these lessons! Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn Italian!!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo was hands down the best language language teacher I’ve had. He makes Italian classes genuinely fun, engaging, and most importantly, very effective for adults. His teaching style is very practical, so you start picking up and using the language quickly rather than just memorising rules. He took the time to clarify each student’s doubts and makes sure everyone is following along. I lived in Italy and picked up quite a few Italian words and phrases, and I had also tried learning through Duolingo, but it never fully made sense to me until I started this course. He explains things in a way that finally connects the dots and makes the language feel usable. In our last class, he put English sentences on the board and asked us to translate them into Italian, and every one was able to construct complete, correct sentences. That moment was validating as it showed how much progress we’ve made. Also a great place to meet like minded people and make friends. Highly recommend italia500 to anyone who wants to actually learn and use Italian with confidence.

Fantastic experience: I’ve had a wonderful experience at Italia 500. Our teacher Giacomo has been incredibly kind, patient, funny and passionate. He has created such a supportive learning environment and helped to make us all feel really comfortable. The other students have all been so friendly and welcoming, which makes it easy to feel comfortable speaking and learning together, even when we make mistakes. Our class has felt like a little family which makes it all the more enjoyable. I especially love how conversational the classes are, with Giacomo’s guidance speaking realistic and conversational Italian from day one has really helped build my confidence. I’ve learned so much in a short time and am continuing classes at Italian 500. I would highly recommend this school to anyone wanting to learn conversational, real life Italian in an engaging and immersive way.

Fantastic experience: Just coming to the end of Beginner 1 classes and really, really looking forward to starting Beginner 2 already. Giacomo has structured the course in a way that may not be the most traditional, but makes a lot of sense. I can see now how starting in the way we have will lead to a big increase in growth soon. The classes are fun and interactive and it's been really nice to form connections with the rest of the class - many of us now moving onto the next stage. If I knew of anyone wanting to learn Italian, I would heartily recommend Italia500. Personally, I'm really excited to keep learning.

Fantastic experience: Imma is amazing. I have done two courses, and couldn’t wait for beginner 3! Every Tuesday became my favourite day of the week. It’s really fun, and we do learn a lot! The place is really well decorated, millions of Italian books, toys, a really creative and relaxing place. Giacomo is very humourous and very experienced in teaching, has created lots of useful learning materials. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: I've had a great experience learning Italian at Italia 500 this year. I joined with some beginner-level knowledge of the language but now after three terms I can talk about my day or future plans or hold conversations in basic terms. My Italian associates have been impressed with the strides I've made in the language. Giacomo's teaching style is at first chaotic but there's method to the madness. There's lots of opportunity for repetition and revision, and learning verbs through the first person has given me more agility in the language even as a beginner. No quizzes or exams, which is great! The classes are fun and a highlight of my week.

Fantastic experience: I can't recommend Italia 500 enough! A great place to start a language learning journey, beginner 1 and 2 were heaps of fun and engaging

Fantastic experience: Excellent course, Giacomo is the best Italian teacher at Italia 500. Classes are fun & very educational!

Fantastic experience: Italia500 Italian Language School is a fantastic place to start learning or to improve your italian. Giacomo is funny, engaging, incredibly patient and is a teacher who clearly takes a personal interest in each of his students improving their italian language skills. I am doing both a private class and a group class weekly and these sessions are without a doubt the highlights of my week. The students I have met through the group classes have been friendly, supportive of each other, patient, and understanding of others mistakes and they add another positive dimension to learning with Italia500. I can best describe Giacomo's classes as simply FUN but with lots of learning; not endless grammar and conjugations, but he manages to have his students tell personal stories in italian ( as simple or complicated as one can manage) and the lessons expand from there; he makes learning seem so effortless. On a personal level, I have seen a huge improvement in both my spoken italian and my comprehension when conversing with locals during recent visits to Italy and I can thank Giacomo entirely for this improvement . Whether you are a beginner learner or wish to take your italian to a higher level, I highly recommend Giacomo and his Italian language school Italia500. Grazie mille Giacomo e buona fortuna!

Fantastic experience: Going to Giacomo's classes at Italia 500 has become the highlight of my week! Thursday has become my favourite day and I can't wait to attend our group class with Giacomo and his hilarious sense of humour. At the beginning of the year I wanted to take part in a new hobby with the hope of meeting new people, having fun and learning something different. As an opera singer who sings in Italian regularly but has not had a lot of coaching on how to have a conversation, I thought learning Italian would be a great idea. This led me to going online and finding the Italia 500 website. I was put into Giacomo's Beginner 1 class and have had so much fun! Giacomo provides us with extremely helpful audio files for each lesson so that we can listen and practise our Italian at home. He is big on repetition as a means to build muscle memory which makes the learning process a lot easier, and we practise repeating Italian dialogues with a partner from the very first lesson. Giacomo's teaching style is extremely engaging in that he delivers the content with humour, fun and whimsy. These moments of silliness are a breath of fresh air when learning about tricky Italian grammar and different tenses. Giacomo's fun approach ends up making these elements easier to learn as they become more memorable from the jokes that he tells. I also love the room with all it's colourful little Italian trinkets, knick-knacks and books. I highly recommend learning Italian at Italia 500 and am very thankful to have found such an entertaining class to attend in Sydney! Grazie Giacomo, applauso!!

Fantastic experience: From the very first class I sat in at Italia500, I knew this school was special. I have been fortunate enough to have been taught by Giacomo for all three Beginner levels of Italian - and knowing him during this period, I know that only the best language teachers would be accompanying him at Italia500. Giacomo is a mastermind of languages who lives and breathes not only Italian language teaching but linguistics as a field, and it's the historic and linguistic context he embeds into lessons that make the overall concept more understandable and memorable. It is not a class that is bogged down with textbook readings and workbooks; it is a practical, head-on approach to language-learning that has you conversation-ready in a short period of time. After only 2 terms of Beginner level with Giacomo last year, I was able to hold a conversation fairly well in Italy in January just gone. Italians I spoke with both in bigger cities, and in regional Tuscan cities, were impressed with my level of Italian and many asked how I learned - and that's saying something. I told them the same thing I wrote above in this review. I had classmates who, at the beginning of term, appeared to struggle more with grasping Italian. By the end of the term, these students always come out on top thanks to Giacomo's targeted language techniques. If you have an upcoming trip to Italy booked, or you just want to learn Italian in the most efficient way possible, I cannot recommend Italia500 enough.

Fantastic experience: Italia 500 Review: My teacher Giacomo is great and has a charismatic personality that makes learning Italian easy and fun. Within the first few lessons I was able to make coherent sentences and learnt many useful phrases for when I visit Italy again. He also gives history and context to the language which for me personally, made it easier to understand and learn. I highly recommend this course if you’re wanting to learn Italian or are soon travelling to Italy and want to feel comfortable/confident speaking at restaurants and other social settings.

Fantastic experience: Great entry level course for any beginner wanting to learn some good basics of Italian. Small group and relaxed learning atmosphere. I wish it lasted longer! Strongly recommend! :-)

Fantastic experience: Italia 500 is the perfect place to start learning Italian! Giacomo’s enthusiasm and engaging teaching style made classes both fun and effective. The lessons encouraged conversation from the start, making it easier to retain what we learned. The small class size created a supportive and friendly environment and the chance to get to know each other. I’m looking forward to starting Beginner 2 this year.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Italia 500 for anyone wanting to learn Italian in an interactive and enjoyable way. Giacomo is an excellent teacher who makes learning feel effortless with his humour, passion, and ability to cater to different learning styles. The group atmosphere was supportive, lively, and full of laughs, which made time fly. The listening materials provided were also really helpful, providing the opportunity to reinforce what we learnt in class.

Fantastic experience: These classes have been fun and I'm amazed how much I have learnt in 16 weeks. Giacomo is a very skillful teacher with an excellent sense of humour and he delights in all things silly. It makes the classes really engaging and funny. Also, his energy and attention is admirable. The additional resources he provides to the material covered in class are very good for helping the learner cement what was covered in class. I completed Beginner 1 & 2 and have enrolled in Beginner 3. It's my favourite extra-curricular activity.

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is an exceptional Italian teacher who brings so much life and energy to every lesson. His ability to make learning fun and interactive is truly a gift. He has a way of turning even the most challenging grammar topics into something we can all laugh about and enjoy. What really sets Giacomo apart is his humor and storytelling. He doesn’t just teach Italian; he makes you feel like you’re living it, from the culture to the everyday phrases you’d hear walking through an Italian piazza. Every class feels like a little trip to Italy, full of charm, laughter, and surprises. You’ve made this experience so much more than just a language class – it’s been a highlight of the week. Grazie mille e a presto! (Thank you so much and see you soon!).

Fantastic experience: Learning Italian with Giacomo has been an absolute pleasure. His ability to make every lesson engaging, fun, and full of energy is unmatched. Giacomo has a natural talent for breaking down complex grammar and vocabulary into simple, understandable pieces, all while keeping the atmosphere lighthearted and enjoyable. He’s not just a teacher; he’s a storyteller, bringing the Italian language and culture to life in every class. His humor is the highlight of the lessons, making even the trickiest concepts easier to grasp. L’entusiasmo di Giacomo è contagioso, e ogni lezione è un’esperienza unica. Grazie per la tua passione e dedizione nell’insegnarci l’italiano. Non vediamo l’ora di continuare questo viaggio linguistico con te. A presto!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is a remarkable teacher. He can sometimes be thoughtful, profound and insightful about the nature of language, culture and history; is often comical and entertaining (which is worth the cost of the course alone); and is always caring and dedicated to putting everyone at ease and coaxing out of us more than many of us thought we were capable of. Truly inspiring.

Fantastic experience: I just completed the Beginner's 1 Italian course and had great introduction to the language. Giacomo is a fantastic, engaging teacher who made every lesson special with his energy and cultural insights. The course was well-paced, interactive, and perfect for beginners. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is hands down the best Italian teacher I’ve ever had!! He brings charisma and energy each week, delivering fun and engaging lessons every time. Giacomo has deep knowledge about Italian culture and how it influences the language which he shares with enthusiasm, alongside stories from his beloved home Ischia!! I’ve been attending classes for 9 months and can’t wait to continue in 2025. If you’re looking to learn Italian in a fun and effective way, you’ve found the right place!!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is an amazing teacher and has created a fun learning environment — classmates at Italia500 are welcoming and warm, allowing for great group dynamics and taking the anxiety away from learning a new language. I'd highly recommend all of Giacomo's classes.

Fantastic experience: Great Italian class for beginners, perfect size group of people all keen to learn Italian and meet each other. Giacomo is a great teacher and very encouraging!

Fantastic experience: I've just finished my beginner 1 course with and I am so glad that I picked Italia 500! Giacomo creates a fun and supportive learning environment and encourages lots of interaction among the group, which made the classes very enjoyable. I will be back next term for the beginner 2 course!

Fantastic experience: I am having a great time at Italia 500, I wish I had started sooner. Speaking face to face has improved my Italian 1000%. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: An outstanding course! Giacomo is a brilliant, knowledgeable teacher who makes each lesson accessible and enjoyable. The class sizes were small, so we each had individual attention as necessary, but also had the benefit of a really positive group dynamic, which allowed us to build confidence speaking with others, too. Lovely group, lovely teacher. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Giacomo and Italia 500 - these Italian classes quickly became a highlight of my week! The Beginner 1 course is really perfect for anyone travelling to Italy or learning to pick-up the basics. The structure of the lessons was fun, engaging and meant that my conversational Italian progressed quickly. It was also really fun to make friends and learn alongside others. I went from speaking no Italian to being able to chat with my Italian family which was so wonderful. Loved it and will definitely back for the next level of classes.

Fantastic experience: I've just finished the Beginner 1 course at Italia 500, and I'm hooked! While learning the language has been wonderful, it's been an unexpected bonus to meet such great classmates and laugh every class. The support materials are excellent and have supported my learning, along with the conversational style teaching style, which feels much more relevant than dry grammar-based classes.

Fantastic experience: I enjoyed every minute of my Italian lessons with Giacomo and our class. Giacomo’s engaging teaching style and passion for teaching made each session both educational and fun. The dynamic between the classmates was amazing, creating a warm and supportive environment that enhanced the learning experience greatly. Giacomo not only helped us improve our Italian but also fostered a sense of community within the group. I would highly recommend his lessons to anyone eager to learn Italian in a vibrant and interactive and hilarious setting!

Fantastic experience: The beginner one class at Italia 500 is a wonderful place to start your Italian journey! Giacomo was a fantastic teacher and is very accommodating of all the different ways people learn (visual, audio, speaking etc). The class size was perfect and had such a fun and lively dynamic, which made coming to class an absolute joy

Fantastic experience: I have thoroughly enjoyed learning Italian for the past 3 months in the Beginner 1 & 2 classes with Giacomo. He has a friendly and entertaining personality and which makes learning Italian fun and easier. The classes overall are well structured with engaging and friendly discussions, whilst also supplemented with extensive online notes. The collective atmosphere in classes is also warm and friendly which I really enjoyed.

Fantastic experience: Giacamo is a fantastic teacher ! I had enrolled the class for only fun in the beginning but I am learning Italian thanks to his seamless approach and I look forward to the classes on Saturday. The lessons are so much fun and he gives some tips and tricks that we will make your life easier.

Fantastic experience: These classes are great!! The group classes are great for learning a lot of content very quickly. Giacomo’s style is entertaining and engaging, and you always leave the classes happy and feeling like you’ve learnt something. Perfect if you’re travelling to Italy to get the basics, but also if you continue to get a bit more advanced understanding of the language. Would definitely recommend!!

Fantastic experience: Such an amazing experience learning Italian with the Italia500 team. Giacomo is so lively and passionate about teaching, The beginner lessons expose you to the basics which are perfect for travelling and then explore further into the language the longer you continue. The dialogue scenarios are great and show you real life examples, highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: SO good!! My Italian speaking has progressed so much further in the last 8 weeks than in the last 2yrs of trying to teach myself via apps etc. Plus Giacomo makes it heaps fun (ie *not* scary!) and you definitely know you’re learning real Italian that people actually speak :) Looking forward to Beginners 2

Fantastic experience: I completed the beginner Italian 1 class at Italian 500 with Elena as my instructor. She was instrumental in keeping me engaged and motivated throughout the course. Elena is AMAZING in teaching Italian in a way that's both enjoyable and effective, making learning feel effortless. If you're searching for a tutor who can make Italian lessons fly by while ensuring you learn quickly and easily, I highly recommend Elena. She's definitely a five-star tutor!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fantastic experience: Fun classes. Elena is a fantastic teacher. Very knowledgeable and patient.

Fantastic experience: A fantastic learning environment, with an amazing group of people. I’ve completed the Beginner 1 course and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Elena is an incredible teacher, she is very knowledgeable and makes every lesson fun. It was wonderful to meet new people and bond over our love of learning Italian! The class sizes are small (around 10 people) so it was nice to see familiar faces each week. I’ve learnt so much in the 8 weeks, and I will be continuing on with the next course. I highly recommend Italia500 to anyone wishing to learn Italian.

Fantastic experience: Great classes! Giacomo is a fantastic teacher who makes learning fun and engaging. The class sizes are not too big, and have a great bunch of students helping you practice. I highly recommend these classes to any one of all ages.

Fantastic experience: I enrolled in the Beginner 1 course almost a year ago. I was nervous to join on my own but quickly made friends. Since then, I've learned so much, built confidence, and formed lasting friendships with the entire group. We all get along and help each other, continuing to enrol in courses together. Now, I'm about to sign up for my fourth course! The class is so much fun, with a great mix of listening, speaking, and writing, and lots of laughs. I can't believe how much I've learned in such a short time, and I've never looked forward to a class this much before. I can’t wait for the next course! Non vedo l'ora!

Fantastic experience: I have just completed Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 at Italia 500, and I couldn't be happier with my progress. After trying to learn Italian on and off since high school and using Duolingo daily for over two years, this class has finally made the difference for me! Giacomo, creates an incredibly fun and relaxed environment that makes learning enjoyable and effective. Our group has become a close-knit community of friends, and the supportive atmosphere allows everyone to try speaking without fear of making mistakes. What sets Giacomo apart is his ability to weave in cultural insights, hand gestures, and the nuances of the language, making the learning experience fun. It's clear that Giacomo has years of experience teaching Italian. The course is structured brilliantly, building on each week's lessons, and before you know it, you'll be conjugating your verbs with confidence ;)

Fantastic experience: This class at Italia 500 is easily one of the highlights of my week. Not only is the teacher great, but the lessons themselves are so much fun. We laugh, we support each other, and we learn as we go, and I feel like I’m getting real, practical Italian. The classroom is a warm, welcoming environment, filled with a group of good people looking to learn with each other and have a lot of fun along the way.The lessons are well planned and filled with relatable and useful scenarios, along with cultural teachings and interesting anecdotes on everything from food to music. I have studied language classes at University before, but never have I enjoyed a course like this. Easy 5 stars from me. Grazie Giacamo!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo's classes are so much fun, the group dynamic is supportive and playful which makes learning Italian a pleasure.

Fantastic experience: I recently completed the Italian Beginners 1 course and am just about to start Beginners 2, and I would definitely recommend these classes to anyone wanting to start learning Italian. The classes are great fun, both because of the great teacher and because of the nice group. After a few weeks you really start to feel like you are learning together. I never find the classes beyond me and if ever there’s something we don’t understand it gets reiterated again and again. We practice the things we learn constantly, so there is no fear of being left behind if one concept goes over your head. We learn lots of practical things (like how to order food) but not at the cost of learning how the language works. I really feel like in these classes we are being set up to be able to actually speak Italian, not just repeat learned phrases and words. Basically I’d definitely recommend it, we learn lots and it’s never boring!

Fantastic experience: I’m moving to Italy later this year so I enrolled in the Italian Beginner 1 course with hopes to learn the basics before I go. Well Giacomo’s course has truly exceeded all of my expectations! This course makes learning Italian so much fun & easy. I was a little nervous coming into the class because I’ve never learned another language. But straight away I felt very comfortable and quickly became confident with speaking aloud in class. I’m now enrolled in the Italian Beginner 2 course and looking forward to learning more.

Fantastic experience: I've had the pleasure of completing two beginner courses in Italian with Giacomo, and I can't recommend him highly enough! Giacomo's teaching methods make learning Italian not only accessible but truly enjoyable. His passion for the language is infectious, making each lesson engaging and enriching. Whether you are a complete novice or someone looking to brush up on your skills, Giacomo offers a supportive learning environment tailored to your pace. I always looked forward to our classes and feel confident in handling basic Italian now, thanks to his expert guidance. Highly recommend him to anyone eager to dive into the beautiful Italian language!

Fantastic experience: Enrolling in Italia500's Italian language course has been an absolute game-changer for me! Under the expert guidance of Giacomo, my journey from beginner to now enrolling in the beginner 3 course has been nothing short of phenomenal. Giacomo's passion for teaching and deep knowledge of the Italian language and culture shine through in every class. His patience, encouragement, and engaging teaching style make learning Italian both enjoyable and effective. Additionally, the class environment fosters a sense of encouragement and friendship among students, making the learning experience even more enriching. I've not only improved my language skills but also made lasting connections. I highly recommend Italia500 to anyone looking to embark on their own Italian language journey. Grazie mille, Giacomo, for your dedication and expertise!"

Fantastic experience: Highly recommended. I've tried online classes but Giacomo's in person classes, with his entertaining style, make progress both fast and enjoyable. By the end of the term it's more like a group of friends than a formal class. I'm re-enrolling for Term 3.

Fantastic experience: An excellent learning environment led by an equally excellent and enthusiastic teacher! If you’re searching for an engaging and interactive way to learn Italian in person, look no further than Giacomo. I’m only two courses in, and yet I’m feeling confident already and keen to learn more! Grazie mille!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is one of the finest teachers I have had the pleasure of being a student of. His teaching style consists of semi-structured lessons which are fun, engaging and based on real conversational scenarios that will help improve your speaking skills. Also, prepare yourself to commute home remembering and laughing at the jokes he pulls in class. I wish we had more educators like him in the world. Grazie signore!

Fantastic experience: First time taking Italian language course not knowing what to expect, but Giacomo makes learning so fun with his personality always had a great time in his class, and makes learning Italian easy to follow with his teaching method. Couldn't recommend his class highly enough! I would say I never got more excited about learning a new language :)

Fantastic experience: I have had private lessons with Giacomo for several months ahead of a long trip to Italy and found them fantastic! Giacomo gets you talking from lesson one. The benefit of his affordable private classes is that he will happily move at your own pace. I’ve learnt more in 2 months with Giacomo than I did in a semester at uni using a traditional textbook method. Highly recommend! ☺️

Fantastic experience: Took this class for a bit of fun & to challenge myself and wow did it surpass any expectations, all because of Giacomo. His teaching skills are full of joy and sass and he makes it so fun to learn. Admittedly I felt like quite the slow learner but his gentle playful way of giving you self confidence was incredible. Please book these courses because the time will fly by anyway so you may as well learn a beautiful language off a beautiful teacher!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo has an excellent teaching style and method that puts everyone at ease, is engaging, entertaining and which he adapts for the different levels of each student. The Beginner 1 lessons take you on a practical journey through common day-to-day experiences, but which is planned so you pick-up the fundamentals of the language in an easy to grasp manner. The Beginner 1 supporting videos and audio recordings are excellent, and enable students to go over material covered in class at their own pace. I would highly recommend Italia 500 and look forward to continuing my learning in the future.

Fantastic experience: Grande Giacomo!!! The online classes are fun. This is a wonderful way to learn through lessons, repetition and practice. There is no pressure and Giacomo truly supports everyone in a fun learning environment. His laugh is contagious and his sense of humour relaxes you. You meet wonderful people who are in the same position as you knowing little or no Italian and everyone supports each other. This is a gradual learning course with constant revision to ensure you remember what you have learnt. Iscrizione!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is a brilliant teacher and genuinely funny guy to be around. This was my first time learning another language and I didn’t know what to expect. But I have enjoyed it so much and am excited to continue learning at Italia 500. 10/10 would recommend to anyone. Grazie Giacomo

Fantastic experience: As a complete beginner, this is an amazing course you need to do! With a few weeks to prep for my upcoming trip to Italy, this class gave me the ability to confidently practice what I had learnt. Giacomo makes the class super fun (he is hilarious!) and the class mates all remain in contact over a Whatsapp group. Can't wait to start the next level!

Fantastic experience: I just finished the Beginner 1 course with Giacomo. Love it!!! Giacomo is super funny and passionate and his classes are so lively. Beginner 1 course was all about everyday conversation that we could use immediately. I surprised my Italian bf every week with new sentences I learned and he's proud of me! The sense of achievement gives me so much motivation to keep going. It's the best way of starting learning a language!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo is a charismatic & entertaining teacher. Classes are entertaining and you will also learn! He has the patience with individuals who are struggling & he brings the class together. If you are unsure about learning Italian, give this one a try. You won't regret it.

Fantastic experience: Great classes - Giorgia is a fantastic, generous and fun teacher. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Learning Italian at Italia 500 is so much fun. Giacomo is a gifted teacher with a wonderful sense of humour. He has provided lots of resources,- videos, workbooks, mp3s, as well as engaging and well-paced lessons that cover grammar, conversational Italian and lots of interesting insights into Italian culture. Our class has now completed 3 terms in beginners, and has moved on to intermediate level. We have lots of opportunities to converse, and our Italian is improving surprisingly quickly. I chose this course after reading the great reviews and they proved to be right – Every lesson is so entertaining and perfectly pitched to the level of the class.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommended! The teaching approach has been excellent, striking a good balance between interesting conversation and setting a firm grammatical foundation upon which to build more fluency. Marina has been our teacher for Italian Beginners 1 and 2 so far, and she is a delight. Combining an endless enthusiasm for teaching with her academic background in linguistics, Marina brings to life the language and the culture of Italy in a fun and engaging way. I now look forward to Wednesdays!

Fantastic experience: Excellent! I've been wanting to learn Italian for a while, but the thought of going to "school" seemed very boring to me. This course (on YouTube) looked very relaxed and approachable so I thought, Level 1 is only 8 weeks so why not try? Yes! the classes are reasonably priced, fun and easy to follow, the groups are small so it's very relaxed and interactive. There's a lot of back-up material so you can study as much or as little as you like (great for the time poor!). This is a great starting point if you want to travel in Italy. Our teacher is very patient, entertaining & informative (you learn a little history and info about Italy too). The classes do become addictive! I am on Level 3 now and intend to continue! Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been attending the beginners Italian 1-3 classes and have enjoyed very minute of them. Giacomo and Imma are great teachers and the classes are the right size for intense learning. I’ve met a lot of new people in the classes which is a bonus. Highly recommend Italia 500 for learning another language.

Fantastic experience: Giacomo’s warm and jovial character will invite you into a friendly and approachable world for starting out in Italian. When you enter Italia500 you’ll first see the collection of art and books covering every topic from linguistics to political theory, history, and cinema. You will notice the banners of paper hanging from every wall - original dialogue mixing Italian and English encouraging you to puzzle out Italian grammar, filled with humour and cultural insights - lovingly decorated with magazine clippings and artistic touches. Giacomo puts his depth of knowledge in language, linguistics, and teaching into practice when he’s on stage, employing a range of methods to have you start speaking and gesturing like an Italian - and also to stop you getting caught up in the peculiarities of the English language - You’re here to learn Italian after all. While Giacomo will give you a light and humorous introduction to Italian, Imma is the teacher who will make sure your grammar and pronunciation are correct, and that you are constantly improving. She is no less knowledgeable when it comes to answering tricky grammar questions. Imma will invent games and activities to make sure you really understand what you’re being taught. Slowly you will be able to put everything into practice by creating your own sentences and engaging in conversation. These classes suit anyone from mature students to busy professionals. The environment is friendly and classes feel like a nice mid-week break from work. If you push yourself to study during the week you will advance at a faster pace, but the classes are small enough that no one is ever left behind.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend this school if you would like to learn Italian, meet beautiful people and have fun at the same time. Giacomo, our teacher, is very knowledgeable, not only in Italian language but also in history and shares interesting insights with the class. Starting my 3rd term and can't wait until Saturdays' come around.

Fantastic experience: A great environment for all stages of abilities. Classes are fun and interactive where you get to meet new people who have an interest in learning the language. Although learning a language is difficult, Giacomo is fun and easy to follow and makes learning Italian a lot easier and delightful with his sense of humour and style of teaching. As well as this, he interacts with all students and helps perfect each individual in the areas that is needed which i have found particularly helpful. I would recommend Italia 500 to anyone who is interested in learning Italian as it is perfect for someone wanting to learn effectively and in a social and positive environment in which they can be excited to go every week.

Fantastic experience: Our class has progressed to Intermediate level now and there’s still never a dull moment! Always enjoyable, learning lots and still feel like I’m going on a little holiday every Saturday when I board the train for the 2.5 hour trip to Sydney to enter the bellissimo world of Italia 500 to be inspired by the best teacher ever - Giacomo!!

Fantastic experience: Very practical learning experience in small classes. Fun and interactive teacher makes learning a new language thoroughly enjoyable! Highly recommended!! :)

Fantastic experience: I had so much fun learning practical Italian. The classes are small so we all get a chance to practice in a very easy and open way. I’ve done two courses so far, now about to start my third!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been attending the Beginners classes at Italia 500. Imma has been a great teacher. The classes are always very interactive, which makes the learning fun. Highly recommended!

Fantastic experience: Really amazing class and teachers! I moved to this Italian school for the Beginners 2 course and couldn't be happier! There were additional resources such as the Beginners 1 course pack which made transitioning to Italia 500 relatively seamless. All of the staff are incredible and the teaching methods are a perfect mix of fun and educational. I love the focus on grammar and speaking!

Fantastic experience: I have really enjoyed the eight week Beginners 1 course at Italia 500. Giacomo has a wealth of knowledge that he imparts in an extremely entertaining way. I had previously attended a course with a different organisation but was never confident enough to speak Italian whereas at Italia 500 the whole class was speaking Italian from the first lesson. We also seem to have so much fun and there is so much laughter in the classes that it must have a health benefit as well. Almost the entire Friday class was keen to re-enrol for Beginners 2 which is a clear indication of our satisfaction with the classes and our teacher. Thank you Giacomo for encouraging us and providing us with the confidence to 'have a go'. Maree Weston March 2019 Still studying Italian with Giacomo at Italia 500 with a group from our original class. This is our 3rd year now. I really look forward to each class and am amazed at Giacomo's patience when I forget things I learned 2 years ago . I love all the artworks and books which line the walls of the rooms. Thank you Giacomo for all your hard work. Maree

Fantastic experience: An amazing, immersive class with very helpful course material. I've never tried to learn another language and I doubted my ability to do so (it all seems like so much to comprehend!), these classes made me realise it's possible. Learning so much in my first course!

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic, couldn’t recommend enough. The place is beautiful and warm, and Imma is bellisima!

Fantastic experience: I look forward to every class at Italia 500! Doing something out of your comfort zone can sometimes be daunting, but Imma is an excellent teacher who understands all her student's abilities well, engages with everyone and makes the classes A LOT of fun :) You won't regret learning here!

Fantastic experience: 500 stars for Italia 500! Great learning environment, fantastic resources and the method of teaching is outstanding...if you want to learn Italian, this is definitely where you need to be! I'm halfway through the first course and already enrolling in the second..without hesitation!

Fantastic experience: Giacomo was such a great teacher! So hilarious and full of life. He made the class so interactive and fun that I would want to take beginner Italian all over again! Grazie!

Fantastic experience: Step into a little bit of Italy when you come to class and relax because learning Italian, as it is spoken today in Italy, at Italia500 is very enjoyable. I've never been in a class which laughed so much. Imma was my teacher for Beginners 2 and she is a perfect teacher: clear, friendly, engaging, encouraging and organized. She is attuned to where everyone is at in their learning and we were all gently helped to succeed and grow in confidence. I've just come back from Firenze and was able to use what I learnt in class and was understood. Looking forward to Beginners 3. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Italia 500 is a great way to learn Italian in a casual and friendly environment. The classes are very interactive and really encourage conversation. Our teacher Imma is fantastic!

Fantastic experience: I recently completed the Beginner 1 Italian course and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our teacher Giacomo was fantastic, very entertaining which only made the learning experience more pleasurable. I will be continuing my language studies at Italia500 and highly recommend to anyone considering learning Italian to do so here with Giacomo.

Fantastic experience: Small class, great environment, and practical teaching, strongly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Italia 500 is hands down the best language education I have attended so far, actually it is probably one of the best classes I have ever had in general! We recently finished the Beginner 1 course and were incredibly fortunate to have Giacomo as our teacher. He is the most engaging, friendly and knowledgeable teacher anyone could ask for and he went out of his way each lesson to ensure every student was accommodated for and that we were as Italian as possible by the end of it. The material provided online is the perfect accompaniment to the in class sessions. Could not recommend studying here more. Grazie Mille Giacomo, "youses" are the best!

Fantastic experience: Recently completed beginner 1 course with Giacomo. The class and experience as a whole was wonderful and far exceeded expectations. The content is engaging and truly tailored for beginners wanting to get a handle on conversational italian. The class is interactive and as far removed from the generic reading -remembering- revising experience as is humanly possible. Above all though, the highlight of the experience and what will garantee my return to italia 500 was the exceptional tutelage from Giacomo- he is charismatic, entertaining and exceedingly knowledgeable, most likely a delight to be around in any circumstance, but an absolute pleasure and inspiration to learn from. If you're on the fence about investing in this, do yourself a favour and commit, you wont regret it.

Fantastic experience: These lessons were my first time learning a language and I very nervous but the school made me and everyone else feel so welcomed, it was almost family like. The classes are small and personal with each student getting the attention they require. As a busy person the work load is perfect with plenty of excellent resources available but no pressure to revise each week. I will definitely be returning for Beginners 2. Thank you Italia 500.

Fantastic experience: I have been with Italia 500 for a year now and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in learning a new language. Giacomo brings alot of fun and energy and engages students in all classes. The class focuses on a combination of writing, reading and speaking - a well designed and enjoyable course that offers continuous progression.

Fantastic experience: Would recommend to anyone that wants to learn Italian. Giacomo is a great teacher and very funny, which makes the classes really enjoyable. Just signed up for the next course and looking forward to getting started!

Fantastic experience: The best atmosphere to learn so friendly and fun. You can meet one of the best teacher( Imma) in your life she is so nice, and she got one of the best ways of teaching. she repeats over and over everything till you cannot forget it in any way :) Grazia Imma I had a perfect time, and I learned a lot.

Fantastic experience: Very very treasure this fantastic experience in Italia 500! The teacher Imma is so nice!! She’s so patient and friendly and, always a lot of fun in the class. The teaching method in the class is practical, which allows students to be able to speak out and actually communicate. All the best to Imma and Giacomo!

Fantastic experience: I'm off to Italy soon and haven't made bookings yet but have my language skills all in place, thanks to Imma and her effective teaching style. Our class was a good size, although that meant that there was nowhere to hide when it came time to practice !! I was amazed at Imma's ability to learn everyone's names so quickly (a skill I have never mastered) and she worked out exactly who needed what attention. The range of lessons was great - well planned by the school and well administered by our teacher. We learned more than we probably realised and had fun at the same time. Now I just need to find an excuse to say "Ci chiamiamo" when I'm travelling !! Grazie, Italia 500.

Fantastic experience: Italia500 is such a friendly and fun environment for learning Italian. Imma is delightful and keeps everyone on track in the class, and her lessons are really well-structured. Looking forward to Beginners 2!

Fantastic experience: I have just finished a 10-week Beginners 1 class at Italia 500. Our teacher, Imma, is terrific!!! She's very knowledgeable, friendly and keeps the class environment upbeat, interesting and fun. Imma taught us blocks of conversation (including grammar points and vocabulary) that we immediately put into practice in the classroom. Imma always makes sure she includes every student in the class and keeps us all on the straight and narrow regarding pronunciation and intonation. One week I was absent from class but was able to stay on track using the online audio and video clips. Italia 500 is a wonderful place to learn/improve your Italian language skills while having a fun time doing it. :-) I hope I'm able to return for more study after my trip to Italy next month. :-) I highly recommend this school!!! xxoo - Madison

Fantastic experience: Super fun classes with Imma! In addition to learning really useful phrases and grammar from the get-go, you're encouraged to find your inner Italian, hand gestures and all. Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: A really fun atmosphere to learn Italian. Giacomo is definitely a very experienced teacher but also keeps things light hearted. The classes give you the building blocks to have useful conversations in Italian, as well as cover grammar principles in an engaging way. Small classes, and plenty of opportunity to practice.

Fantastic experience: Italia 500 beginners course was the perfect way to learn Italian language skills and grammar in a friendly environment. Our class was a lot of fun and Imma our wonderful teacher kept us on track to ensure we kept learning and reinforcing the foundation of the beautiful Italian language. Can’t wait to start beginners 2! Grazie Imma!

Fantastic experience: I've been attending classes at Italia500 for almost 6 months now and wish I started sooner. Giacomo and all the other teachers make you feel welcome from day 1 and are genuinely eager to see you learn & succeed.. From Beginners 1 you start learning conversational Italian which allows you to develop a solid foundation of the language. Looking forward to the class after a long work day day speaks volumes for what environment Italia500 have created. Grazie!

Fantastic experience: Italia500 is Little Italy in Sydney. A portal to everything Italian. The classes are intimate (small) and the learning fun. Like others in my group, we share a common goal to learn Italian but it was the sharing of the passion in the life of our teacher that was such an unexpected gift and this schools greatest asset. Not only do we learn the language we also get an insight into the customs and culture. We are skilfully lead through each turn on our path to fluency.