Whether you’re just curious or seriously thinking about learning Italian, you’re probably wondering what to expect as a complete beginner.
In this article, we’ll walk you through what a typical day looks like in a beginner’s course, from the first lessons to hands-on activities, including breaks and chats with fellow students.
You might be surprised at how simple and enjoyable learning Italian can be… even if you’re starting from zero.
What do you need to start learning Italian from scratch?
Not much, really! You don’t need to know any grammar or speak a single word. The only thing that truly matters is your motivation to learn.
In a beginner-level course, your teacher will start right from the basics: greetings, simple introductions, common words and phrases you can use in everyday life. Everything is explained clearly, step by step, and at a comfortable pace.
It might help to bring:
- notebook for notes.
- Pen or pencil.
- Pocket dictionary or a translation app.
Add a good dose of curiosity, and you’re ready to go!
Your first day: welcome, introductions and the atmosphere
The first day of a beginner Italian course is always something special. The main goal? To help you feel comfortable, even if you don’t speak a word of Italian yet.
Things usually begin with a warm welcome. The teacher explains how the course will work and, if it’s a group class, introduces everyone to each other.
No need to stress! You’ll say your name, maybe where you’re from, and hear your very first Italian words.
The best part? Everyone’s in the same boat, so there’s no pressure or judgment. People smile, make mistakes, laugh… and slowly ease into the language with light activities and lots of curiosity.
More often than not, it turns out to be a lot more fun and engaging than expected.
Lesson by lesson: how you learn the basics of Italian
You start with the most useful and practical things: greetings, numbers, colors, how to introduce yourself, ask questions, order in a café, or go shopping.
The teacher speaks slowly, uses gestures and visuals, and creates real-life scenarios to make things easier to understand. No long, boring grammar lectures, you learn by listening, repeating, doing simple exercises, and interacting with others.
Grammar is introduced naturally, through everyday contexts. First you learn to say “Mi chiamo…” (My name is…), and only later you’ll learn how the verb “chiamarsi” actually works.
The focus isn’t on being perfect. It’s on being able to communicate. Even saying a few basic words and understanding simple questions is a huge step forward. Lesson by lesson, the foundation gets stronger… and speaking Italian starts to feel totally doable.
Practical activities and simple conversations
In beginner classes, a big part of the day is dedicated to hands-on activities and easy conversations that help you start using Italian right away.
That might mean role-playing (like going to the market and asking for prices), paired dialogues, listening to real audio clips, or doing small group exercises where you introduce yourself, share a few facts, or ask someone else questions.
The teacher is there to support you if you’re stuck, to gently correct you, and to create a calm space where making mistakes is totally okay and even helpful.
These kinds of activities help you practice real communication, not just memorize rules. And each small conversation boosts your confidence, motivation, and desire to keep going.
Break time, socializing and chatting with other students
Breaks are more than just time to relax. They’re also a great chance to connect with other students and practice your Italian naturally.
You might find yourself chatting over coffee or going for a quick walk with a classmate. Even if you’re all from different countries, you instantly share something: the desire to learn, the experience of starting something new, and a curiosity about Italy.
These moments of casual conversation can be some of the most useful. You repeat what you just learned, pick up new words, and build your confidence speaking Italian. Socializing is part of the process and it makes everything more enjoyable, lighter, and human.
The teacher’s role and why the method matters
In a beginner Italian course, the teacher plays a key role, not just in teaching, but in making sure you feel comfortable and supported.
A good teacher knows how to adapt the pace of the lesson, use examples that make sense, and encourage everyone to participateeven the shyest students. Lessons are always tied to real-life situations and include practical exercises that help you apply what you learn.
But it’s not just about the teacher. It’s also about the teaching method. An approach that focuses on conversation and using the language from the start helps you learn in a way that’s both effective and enjoyable.
It’s not about memorizing abstract rules. It’s about living the language.
What’s the right level for you? A1, A2, B1
If you’re brand new to Italian or only know a few words, your starting point is A1, the first level in the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
At A1 level, you’ll learn to:
- introduce yourself and say where you’re from and how old you are.
- Ask basic questions (about time, directions, prices…).
- Understand everyday phrases.
- Use key verbs, articles and essential vocabulary.
If you’ve already studied a bit on your own or taken a short course, you might be ready for A2, where you’ll expand your vocabulary, start describing experiences, and take part in more varied conversations.
B1 is for those who can already get by in most everyday situations. You’ll go deeper into grammar, verb tenses, and understanding longer texts or conversations.
Not sure where you fit?
Many courses offer a free placement test to help you start in the right group, without any stress or pressure.
The important thing is to begin at the level where you feel comfortable and build up from there.
How you build your vocabulary, lesson by lesson
One of the main goals in a beginner course is to build a solid, useful vocabulary that helps you in real situations.
Each lesson introduces new words connected to a specific theme: greetings, ordering at a café, talking about the weather, going shopping, and so on.
You’ll hear the words in context, use them in short dialogues, write simple sentences, and repeat them aloud. This way, your brain naturally associates the words with real-life situations, making them easier to remember.
You start with common, practical terms and gradually add more: synonyms, everyday verbs, helpful adjectives and expressions. And because you use these words every day in class, they quickly become part of your working vocabulary.
Little by little, you’ll notice you can speak more fluently and with more confidence because you’ll have the right words when you need them.
Want to learn Italian? Start with the right course
Now that you know what happens in a beginner Italian course, maybe it’s time to give it a shot.
The first step is choosing the right course, one that fits your level, your schedule, and your way of learning.
At Sì Studiare Italiano, you’ll find personalized paths designed to guide you step by step. With native-speaking teachers, real-life activities, easy-to-follow texts, videos, and lots of opportunities to practice speaking and listening, every course is built to help you succeed.
These courses help you overcome those first challenges, grow your language skills, and discover not just Italian grammar and verbs but also how people actually live, speak, and connect in Italy.
You can choose between in-person (private or in-group) or online formats, depending on your availability and comfort, with full support from teachers who are there to help you every step of the way.
If you’re looking for an authentic, human and engaging experience, you’re in the right place.
Check out our courses and find the one that suits you best. Italian is a language that opens up new people, new experiences, new places and your journey can start today!