To learn Italian, don’t just sit and recite verb tables from a textbook. Imagine instead making fresh pasta with a native speaker.
While you knead the dough, you chat, ask questions, hear the names of the ingredients and repeat verbs in the imperative without even realising it. That’s how language really sticks, through real-life experience.
Pick a workshop you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s cooking, art, theatre or something else, and just go with the flow. You’ll speak more than you expect.
Learn by doing, not just by reading
Ever tried giving directions in Italian during a treasure hunt? Or describing your day while putting together a collage of words and pictures?
Workshops get you using Italian as you do something, not just as a subject to study. And when you’re actively involved, your brain remembers better.
A useful trick is to keep a small notebook with new words you pick up during the workshop. Try using them straight away in your own sentence.
Want to understand Italians better? Live their habits
Do you know how to order a proper coffee? Or what it means when someone offers you un goccio?
In a workshop, you learn Italian the way people actually speak it every day. You notice how they greet one another, how they sit at the table, what expressions they use when they’re tired or excited. You don’t just learn about Italian customs, you step right into them.
A practical suggestion is to recreate a small gesture or phrase you learned as soon as you get home. Even swapping goodbye for ci vediamo dopo makes a real difference.
Meet real people and hear natural Italian
During a workshop, you might end up chatting with a woman sharing her grandmother’s recipe or with a student from the south of Italy.
Everyone speaks differently. They have their own accent, their favourite words, their own style. That’s what helps you get used to real spoken Italian, not the perfectly scripted phrases from a textbook.
One useful habit is to write down three phrases you heard and didn’t understand. Ask what they mean and then use them yourself next time.
What happens in a cultural workshop? Here’s a peek
Not sure what a workshop involves? Here are a few examples.
- In an art session, you describe colours, shapes and how things feel.
- In a cooking class, you follow recipes, give instructions and listen to local expressions.
- At a film night, you follow the dialogue, laugh, join in the chat and learn without trying too hard.
Workshops often finish with a group toast, a photo or a relaxed moment together, all in Italian of course.
How to choose the right workshop for your level
You don’t need perfect Italian to join a workshop. You just need to choose one that fits your current level.
If you’re a beginner, it’s best to go for simple, guided activities like cooking classes with basic instructions, word games or walking tours where you can mostly listen.
If you’re at an intermediate level, try something more interactive like group discussions, reading sessions or watching and talking about films.
And if you’re advanced, go for workshops that let you explore the language fully like theatre labs, debates or storytelling.
Don’t choose the most difficult one just to test yourself. Choose the one where you feel comfortable enough to speak and enjoy it.
Which workshops can you try? There’s something for everyone
Workshops aren’t one-size-fits-all. That’s the fun of it. You can choose based on what you enjoy doing, not just your level of Italian.
Love cooking? Into art? Prefer walking and chatting outside? There’s a workshop for you.
Here are some ideas:
- Cooking sessions. Learn typical recipes, ask questions and listen to useful new words while doing something practical.
- Art workshops. Get creative, describe colours, moods and feelings in Italian while making something with your hands.
- Film nights. Watch a movie with or without subtitles and then talk about it together. A great way to improve listening and build your vocabulary.
- Theatre and improv. Perfect if you want to get over your shyness and have fun experimenting with the language.
- Cultural walks. Explore a town with a guide, ask questions and listen to fascinating local stories. It’s a light and fun way to practise your listening and speaking.
- Italian music sessions. Listen to songs, sing along, translate lyrics and discover new expressions through the melody and rhythm.
Pick something you genuinely like. When you enjoy the activity, you learn without even noticing it.
How to join a workshop if you’re shy or don’t speak much
Feeling shy or unsure when speaking a new language is completely normal. That’s exactly why workshops are such a great idea.
There’s no pressure to perform. You can watch, listen and join in with simple gestures, basic words or even just a smile. No one is judging you. The goal is to feel relaxed and communicate however you can.
At the start, it helps to prepare a short list of useful phrases like “Scusi, può ripetere?”, “Come si dice…?” or “Sono d’accordo”. Having them ready boosts your confidence and makes it easier to join in.
In person or online? Find the format that suits you
Both options work well. They just offer different experiences.
In-person workshops are ideal if you want to soak up the Italian atmosphere, practise gestures and enjoy face-to-face interaction. They’re great if you’re already in Italy or planning a trip.
Online workshops are super convenient if you live far away, have limited time or prefer learning in a calmer setting. And yes, they’re effective too. You can still join in, see others and take part in fun activities from your own home.
If you can, try both. Start online to get confident, then take part in an in-person workshop later. It’s a powerful combination.
You’ll speak better and faster because you feel more confident
Doing something with your hands, laughing with others, feeling welcomed. That’s what helps you speak. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to begin.
In a workshop, no one points out your mistakes in a harsh way. You’ll get help and encouragement. And slowly, words will come out naturally, like they did when you first learned to speak as a child.
Don’t be afraid of getting things wrong. Mistakes turn into laughs and become the words you remember best.
Phrases and expressions you’ll start using straight away
You don’t have to speak fluently to take part. A few helpful phrases are enough to start joining in. And the best part? You’ll use them straight away. They’ll come naturally because they’re linked to actions and real experiences. Here are some handy ones:
To ask for help or clarification
Scusa, puoi ripetere?
Come si dice… in italiano?
Non ho capito bene, puoi spiegare di nuovo?
To join in
Posso dire una cosa?
Secondo me…
Anch’io penso così
Hai ragione!
È interessante!
To get by
Va bene!
Tutto chiaro!
Aspetta un attimo!
Ce l’ho!
Non importa, ci provo!
Common phrases during a workshop
Taglio questo?
Mescolo io?
Dove metto questo?
Che colore preferisci?
Chi vuole iniziare?
Create your own mini phrasebook. After each workshop, write down five expressions you actually used or heard. Review them the next day and they’ll stick.
Workshops and study: how to blend practice with your routine
Workshops don’t replace studying. They make it come alive. If you’re already taking Italian classes, using textbooks or doing exercises online, joining a workshop helps make what you’ve learned feel real.
Try these ideas:
- Connect the workshop to what you’re studying. If you’re learning vocabulary about food, join a cooking workshop. It’s the best way to learn words in a natural context.
- Write a short recap afterwards. One sentence for each thing you did or learned. “I kneaded pasta dough.” “I listened to a Mina song.” “I asked where the cheese was.” Just five minutes of writing can help you remember more and reflect on your progress.
- Add one workshop per month or week to your study plan. Even if you’re studying on your own, mixing in hands-on activities keeps things fun and keeps you motivated.
- Note down expressions you hear often. You can record them, jot them down or repeat them in your head. Try using them next time you write, speak or message in Italian.
Studying gives you structure. Workshops give you real context. Put them together and you’ll learn faster, better and with more joy.
Get a real feel for Italian culture right now
Learn Italian with workshops is a fun, meaningful way to explore the language in its real, everyday setting.
In our courses for foreign learners, you’ll find more than just lessons. You’ll discover a lively environment filled with music, words, feelings and real connection.
Each class is tailored to students’ needs, with useful materials, great textbooks, modern teaching and passionate teachers who care deeply about what they do.
Whether you’re on the other side of the world or already in Italy, you can choose the course that suits you best. Online or in person, in a group or one-to-one.
Because language really sticks when it starts to mean something. When it becomes part of your day, your world and your love for Italy. School is just the beginning.
Explore our courses and cultural workshops and turn your Italian into a real-life experience to enjoy with passion and ease.
Don’t just study Italian. Live it. Hear it. Touch it. Cook it. Let it become part of your voice, your gestures, your memories. And do it with people who welcome you with a smile.