A splendido opportunity!

Have you ever wanted to learn Italian?

Well, the Ballarat Italian Association and La Piccola Scuola d’italiano are bring a cost-effective way to get acquainted with, or brush up on, the language spoken by an estimated 63 million people worldwide.

Hour-long classes are now being held at Barkly Square and are open to everyone from beginners to advanced speakers at $10 for Ballarat Italian Association members and $12 for non-members.

The lessons are run by Francesca Angeli-Urbini, an Italian teacher and the principal of La Piccola Scuola d’italiano.

Ballarat Italian Association committee member Alisdair Horgen said Ms Angeli-Urbini was an experienced educator and the classes a great opportunity.

“The BIA is honoured to be working with Francesca,” he said. “She has worked in the Italian education for many years and it is a pleasure to be in her classes. We are excited to have more people speaking Italian.”

Ms Angeli-Urbini said the classes were more than just sitting in a room repeating often used Italian phrases and words.

“We offer a variety of language and culture courses, delivered in a variety of ways, from face to face to Zoom. Our aim is to pass on a passion for the Italian language and culture,” she said.

“It offers Ballarat a chance to get in contact with the Italian language and culture in ways that are different from the ones usually offered, which are through food and art.

“In our courses we aim at providing different stimuli for conversation and language learning, such as Italian songs, literary short stories, as well as the usual conversational scenarios.”

Contact [email protected] for more information on the lessons.