Italian Language Classes
At the San Francisco Italian Athletic Club
In partnership with the IIS and SFIAC Foundation
Beginner Italian Classes Start the First Week of February!
Please email administration@sfiac.org with any questions.
Your Italian Adventure Starts in North Beach
Experience the essence of Italy at the historic San Francisco Italian Athletic Club in the heart of North Beach. Our Italian native-led classes focus on real-world conversation, so it’s the perfect way to meet simpatici friends while mastering your Aperol Spritz order for your next big adventure.
Join us to live your best Italian life and start your journey right here in San Francisco!
Classes are located at the SFIAC, 1630 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA
Class Schedule
*All classes must have a minimum of 8 students enroll in order to commence
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Course Duration: 10 Weeks
Beginner 1 Italian Class has been postponed. More information soon.
Course Level: Absolute Beginner. This course is designed for individuals with no prior knowledge of the Italian language.
Course Description: Throughout the course, students will acquire foundational skills in Italian pronunciation, basic vocabulary, and essential grammar structures. By the course's conclusion, participants will be able to engage in simple conversations, introduce themselves, and comprehend basic written and spoken Italian. This program serves as an entry point for those looking to initiate their Italian language learning journey.
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Course Duration: 10 Weeks
Tuesdays, Starting February 3
6:30PM - 8:30PMCourse Level: Beginner/Intermediate. Prerequisite - Beginner 2
Course Description: This level is ideal for students who have completed Beginner 2 or who already have a strong foundation in basic Italian. In this course, you will continue to expand your vocabulary and begin to use past tense forms to talk about personal experiences and events, such as describing your weekend, talking about travel plans, and sharing stories about yourself. You will further develop your confidence in everyday interactions, including making reservations, shopping, and handling common social situations. Grammar topics will include the passato prossimo (present perfect) with common verbs, reflexive verbs, direct and indirect object pronouns, and more complex sentence structures. Throughout the course, you will practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in contexts that mirror real-life communication. By the end of Beginner 3, you will be able to speak with greater ease about personal experiences, ask for and give more detailed information, and engage in longer, more natural conversations in Italian.
Pricing
SFIAC Members (and spouses): $340
Non-Members: $390
Instructor Biographies
Griseldo
Beginner 1 Instructor
Griseldo is originally from Saronno, Lombardy, a charming small city near Milan. He earned both his bachelor’s degree (2014) and master’s degree (2017) in Italian Literature at the State University of Milan. His passion for Italian literature and culture led him to travel extensively, including an academic exchange at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure in Paris.
For the past seven years, he has primarily lived in California, where he just completed his PhD in Italian at Stanford University (2025).
Griseldo’s deep academic expertise in Italian literature, combined with his personal journey across Europe and the United States, gives him a unique perspective on language learning and cultural adaptation—one that he is excited to share with his students.
Dario
Beginner 3 Instructor
Dario is originally from the Campania region and holds a degree in Communications from the University of Salerno. After a few years working at a web communication agency as a web marketing consultant, he moved to San Francisco, driven by his passion for American music and the allure of the "California dream."
In San Francisco, he quickly found a welcoming Italian community, which led to a successful career in the hospitality industry. After nearly 20 years in this field, Dario chose to dedicate his time and energy to his true passion: teaching.
He has been teaching Italian for the past few years, offering students engaging and enjoyable lessons filled with motivation, laughter, and an authentic taste of Italian culture and traditions.