Buongiorno! In this post, we take you through the best online Italian courses on the market right now.
Read on to find a synopsis of each course, as well as its pros and cons. In each case, you’ll find out:
👍 The cost of each of these Italian online courses.
👍 Whether or not the course is suited to your learning style.
👍 How we rate the course based on personal experience and online feedback.
How We Chose These Italian Courses
In order to make each Italian course synopsis as varied and informative as possible, we trialed each and every one of the courses below.
Each scoring system is determined based on a number of factors.
Five stars indicate excellence, whilst a lower star rating indicates room for improvement.
The comments and opinions that you read throughout this article are results of language teacher James’s findings using the free and/or premium versions of each course.
The factors listed in the review table above are measured in the following ways:
Effectiveness – This is measured by the progress that we were able to make during the short time frame.
Value for money – We compare the cost of the app with similar competitor language learning apps, platforms, and courses.
Ease of use – As language learners, user experience plays a large part in whether or not we maintain consistency. A poor user experience usually leads to a lack of progress.
Languages Available – Offering multiple languages by no means makes an app or language platform better. However, it usually means they’re more popular and capture a wider audience, investing more heavily in the factors above.
1. Pimsleur Italian – Learn Italian through audio recordings
Cost: 7 Day Free Trial. Then $14.95 p/month subscription.
Pimsleur is one of the most famous names in language learning. They have a large selection of languages to choose from, with Italian being available as part of an eight-level course.
The first level consists entirely of audio lessons that are about 30 minutes long each and provide learners with the opportunity to learn basic vocabulary and phrases related to greetings, introductions, food, shopping, and more.
After completing the first level, you can then move on to the second level which includes both audio and text lessons.
Pimsleur Italian is the best course for you if
👍 You want a well-known and reputable course.
👍 You are willing to pay more for a better quality course.
👍 Your focus is on spoken Italian rather than written Italian.
Pimsleur Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You want to learn about Italian grammar.
👎 You want to improve or practice written Italian.
See our full Pimsleur Review.
Pimsleur |
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|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | |
| Effective at improving listening skills and overall language comprehension through repetition. | More expensive than many competitors. 7 Day Free Trial included. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate on desktop and app. | 40+ languages available, including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 Huge library of audio lessons 👍 Modern, user-friendly dashboard 👍 Proven, effective method 👍 Encourages speaking practice | 👎 More expensive than main competitors 👎 Repetitive with limited reading practice |
SummaryPimsleur is a great option for anybody looking to improve their understanding of a foreign language. Each Premium Plan includes more than 75 hours of audio content, taking you from beginner through to advanced level. Native speakers feature throughout the course to get you used to hearing the language. Pimsleur's method is effective but repetitive. We'd like to see Pimsleur incorporate better grammar explanations into their lessons. |
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2. Rocket Italian – No subscription ties
Cost: One-time payment dependent on the level you choose. No subscription option.
Rocket Italian is an online course that was created by Rocket Languages.
It has audio, video, and text lessons for learners of all levels to enjoy. It can be used on smartphones as well as computers, with the platform being compatible with iOS and Android devices.
Learners will receive access to a phrasebook which they can use to learn how to say common phrases in Italian, as well as a cultural insights book that provides information about Italy and its culture.
One thing we really liked about Rocket Italian was the focus on speaking Italian from the very beginning.
In addition, there are lots of exercises and quizzes that help learners test their understanding of the material.
Rocket Italian is the best course for you if
👍 You’re looking for a course that is well-rounded and has lots of features.
👍 You’re an audio learner who prefers spoken Italian over written Italian.
👍 The price doesn’t seem to be a problem for you.
Rocket Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You want to learn about grammar rules in written Italian.
👎 You want to improve or practice your written skills.
See our full Rocket Languages Review.
Rocket Languages |
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|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Highly effective at improving listening skills, reading skills and overall comprehension. | Not the cheapest option but justified pricing based on features and benefits available. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Simple, modern dashboard designed to be as easy as possible to use. | 12 of the world's most popular languages available including Spanish and French. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 No Subscription Fees 👍 Very Good App & Website 👍 Comprehensive Courses 👍 Money Back Guarantee | 👎 One-Time Payment Required 👎 You May Require a Language Tutor |
SummaryRocket Languages is one of the more advanced language learning resources we have come across. Its lesson features, comprehensive courses and travelogues make it better than the majority of its competitors for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. It is more expensive than many short term because it requires a one-time payment, not a subscription. There is a free trial available for all learners. |
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One-time Payment Dependent on Language |
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Italian Courses with Italian Native Speakers
The following three are not typical language courses.
However, they are great places to find an Italian tutor online in order to practice speaking and master Italian pronunciation. Tutors also provide course materials and can help with exam preparation.
3. Italki – Actual online classes with tutors
Cost: Approx. $10 p/hour, depending on the tutor.
italki is a website where learners can search for Italian teachers for one-to-one online Italian classes.
It is a great option for Italian learners who want to receive feedback on their work and who want to learn from a native speaker.
One of the things we like about italki is that it provides learners with a wide range of options for different prices.
It also allows language learners to search specifically for Italian teachers based on their location and availability, making it easy to find an online class at times that work best for you.
italki is the best course for you if
👍 Your priority is learning Italian with an actual person rather than using courses or apps.
👍 You’re open to having one-to-one online classes with native tutors.
👍 You’re on a tight budget and don’t mind using free online resources to supplement your learning experience.
italki is not suitable for you if
👎 You want comprehensive written lessons or audio/video courses that give you more structure.
👎 You are looking for other learners in addition to one-on-one classes with Italian teachers.
See our full italki Review.
italki |
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|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Effective at improving speaking skills through interaction. | Select a tutor based on personal budget. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate on desktop and app. | 60+ languages available, including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 Huge list of tutors 👍 Modern, user-friendly dashboard 👍 Great for speaking practice 👍 Encourages regular interaction | 👎 Limited reading exercises 👎 Expensive over time |
Summaryitalki is a great option for anybody looking to improve their speaking and listening skills in a foreign language. |
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4. Preply – A perfect place to find an Italian tutor
Cost: Approx. $10 p/hour, depending on the tutor.
If you want to focus on improving your speaking skills with a native Italian tutor then Preply is perfect for you.
Preply is a great website that connects learners with teachers from all over the world.
Tutors offer their services for a variety of prices, making it perfect for people on any budget.
In addition, you can search for tutors based on your needs and preferences, which makes it easy to find the right tutor for you.
In 2019, Preply received an investment of more than $15 million to help it grow and improve its services.
This really shows when you take lessons; the interface is modern and user-friendly.
Preply is the best option for you if
👍 You’re looking for a personal tutor to help improve your speaking skills.
👍 You want to be able to choose your tutor based on your needs and preferences.
Preply is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a free resource.
👎 Your focus is more on reading, grammar, and listening.
See our full Preply Review.
Preply |
|
|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Effective at improving speaking skills through interaction. | Select a tutor based on personal budget. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate on desktop and app. | 60+ languages available, including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 Huge list of tutors 👍 Modern, user-friendly dashboard 👍 Great for speaking practice 👍 Encourages regular interaction | 👎 Limited reading exercises 👎 Expensive over time |
SummaryPreply is a great option for anybody looking to improve their speaking and listening skills in a foreign language. |
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5. Wyzant Tutors
Cost: Varies depending on the tutor you choose.
Wyzant Tutors is an online resource that connects students with tutors in a variety of subjects, including Italian.
The great thing about Wyzant Tutors is that you can find a tutor who fits your specific needs and learning style- whether you need help with grammar explanations, practicing Italian speaking skills, or building a vocabulary list.
Wyzant Tutors is perfect for you if
👍 You want to focus on specific elements of your Italian lessons, such as grammar explanations and practice/dialogue work.
👍 You need help with homework in order to keep up with your classes at school.
👍 Your priority is to master Italian pronunciation from native Italian speakers.
Wyzant Tutors is not suitable for you if
👎 You want a tutor who can help with more than one element of your Italian lessons.
👎 Your priority is to master all aspects of the language, including writing and speaking skills.
6. Mondly Italian – A Superb course with Virtual Reality
Cost: Approx $10 p/month for Premium.
Mondly is an online course that offers both a free and paid version.
The free version includes 33 lessons that cover basic topics such as greetings, introductions, food, shopping, and more.
The paid version of Mondly Italian costs $89 per year and unlocks all language content including verb conjugations, dialogues, and flashcards.
What we really like about Mondly is the incorporation of Virtual Reality technology. This makes learning Italian an immersive experience that feels more like a game than a course.
Mondly is the best course for you if
👍 You want to learn Italian quickly and are looking for a fun, interactive course.
👍 You’re tech-savvy and want an interface that is modern and attractive.
👍 You’re willing to pay for a course that offers lots of content and features.
Mondly is not suitable for you if
👎 You want to learn about grammar rules.
👎 You want to focus on written Italian skills.
See our full Mondly Review.
Mondly |
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|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Highly effective at improving listening skills, reading skills and overall comprehension. Provides an opportunity to speak through functional speech recognition tool. | Cheaper than main competitors, including Yabla and FluentU. Free Trial Included. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate. Interactive AR and VR exercises. | 41+ languages available including Spanish, Chinese, Italian, German, French, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, English and Japanese. Multiple language combinations, meaning you can learn from any language into any other. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 41 languages and language combinations 👍 VR and AR experiences imbedded 👍 Can be used remotely and on-the-go 👍 World class speech recognition | 👎 Not the cheapest option on the market 👎 Limited speaking practice |
SummaryMondly ticks the boxes that so many language apps fail to tick. The variation of games, quizzes and activities keeps users engaged on the platform and takes any boredom out of learning. It is one of the few language learning options that covers listening, reading, writing and speaking in one solution, without focusing heavily on grammar. Mondly is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners. Advanced learners will likely prefer interaction with real people, although the app does cater for them too. |
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Free Trial Included |
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7. Babbel Italian
One of the best online courses for beginners, Babbel Italian is an excellent course that helps learners get started with their language learning journey.
It’s one of our favorite options because it has clear and concise lessons that are both interesting and engaging, while still remaining challenging enough to learn new material.
The writing exercises at the end of each lesson are also great for practicing your Italian writing skills.
With the newest feature, Babbel Live, you can now book classes with tutors to supplement the course learning.
Babbel Italian is the best course for you if
👍 You’re looking for a beginner-level course that is well-paced and easy to follow.
👍 You want to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills.
👍 You prefer shorter lessons over longer ones.
Babbel Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a course that goes in-depth with grammar rules.
👎 You want to focus on speaking skills more than written/vocabulary skills.
Babbel |
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|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 4.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Great new Babbel Live feature for Premium users, which provides tutors with speaking practice. | More expensive than many competitors. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate on desktop and app. | 40+ languages available, including Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 Clear grammar explanations 👍 Easy to use on the go 👍 Tutor included for premium users | 👎 Repetitive with limited reading practice |
SummaryBabbel is a great option for anybody looking to improve their understanding of a foreign language. The Premium Plan includes access to a native tutor through the Babbel Live feature, as well as access to frequent language webinars. Babbel courses are effective but can be repetitive. We'd like to see Babbel incorporate new culture-related lessons into their programs. |
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8.Rosetta Stone Italian
Cost: Starts at $6.49 p/month.
Rosetta Stone is one of the most popular (and expensive) language learning software programs on the market.
Despite its high price tag, Rosetta Stone is a great program that can be used by learners of all levels.
The course offers a wide variety of activities, lessons, and exercises that help you learn Italian in a way that is both engaging and effective.
If you are a serious language learner and beyond the beginner level, then we would not recommend this course.
Rosetta Stone is the best course for you if
👍 You want a comprehensive program that can be used by learners of all levels.
👍 You’re looking for a course with lots of activities and exercises to help you learn.
👍 You don’t mind spending money on a language learning software program.
Rosetta Stone is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a course that is cheaper and more affordable.
👎 You’re not ready to spend the money on a course you might only use for a few months.
See our full Rosetta Stone Review.
Rosetta Stone |
|
|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.0 out of 5.0 stars | 4.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Effective at improving listening skills and overall language comprehension through repetition. | This rating is based on a one-time purchase for access to all languages. Still more expensive than many competitors if you purchase a subscription. 3 Day Free Trial included. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 5.0 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate on desktop and app. Can be used on two devices at the same time. | 40+ languages available, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 Variety of exercises 👍 Requires constant engagement 👍 Proven, effective method 👍 Encourages speaking practice | 👎 More expensive than main competitors 👎 Repetitive with robotic dialogue |
SummaryRosetta Stone is a better option than Pimsleur for anybody who relies on visual elements to learn. Visual learners will benefit from its library of images and the way it uses them to teach vocabulary. Whilst the tool is excellent at teaching vocabulary, little context is provided until further into the course. Rosetta Stone's method is effective but repetitive. We'd like to see more natural conversation included in its courses. |
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9. FluentU – An Italian Course with video lessons
Cost: Free 10 days, then $14.99 p/month.
FluentU is a unique online course that offers learners an immersive experience with real-world Italian content.
Its aim is for users to learn Italian through integration into the Italian language and culture.
The FluentU program includes video lessons from native speakers, as well as interactive exercises and quizzes that help you learn grammar and vocabulary in a real-life context.
FluentU is the best course for you if
👍 You want a fun and engaging online Italian program.
👍 You’re familiar with video-based learning tools, such as YouTube or iTunes U.
👍 You prefer to learn Italian through listening rather than reading.
FluentU is not suitable for you if
👎 You don’t like language courses that focus on video learning.
👎 Your aim is to learn Italian on a budget or for free.
See our full FluentU Review.
FluentU |
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|---|---|
Effectiveness | Value for Money |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 3.5 out of 5.0 stars |
| Highly effective at improving listening skills, reading skills and overall comprehension. | More expensive than its main competitor, Yabla, but more video content available. 14 Day Free Trial included. |
Ease of Use | Languages |
| 4.5 out of 5.0 stars | 5.0 out of 5.0 stars |
| Modern dashboard. Very easy to use and navigate. | Spanish, Chinese, Italian, German, French, Russian, Portuguese, Korean, English and Japanese. |
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| 👍 Huge library of video content 👍 Modern, user-friendly dashboard 👍 Interactive Subtitles 👍 Wide variety of games and activities | 👎 Not the cheapest option on the market 👎 Limited speaking practice |
SummaryFluentU is a great language immersion tool. The real-life and simulated videos encourage you to see the language for yourself in a realistic way, emulating real-life experiences. There are features for quizzes and flashcards as well as a dictionary to look up vocabulary that you are unfamiliar with. In terms of grammar explanations and speaking practice, FluentU is lacking a little. We recommend seeking additional tools to really strengthen those skills. |
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$20 p/month (Free Trial for 14 days) |
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10. Duolingo Italian – Not great, but free
Cost: Free.
Whilst Duolingo is not our favorite language-learning resource, it’s pretty good for a free app.
One of our favorite free courses, Duolingo offers fun lessons in an engaging platform that adapts to your learning speed.
The app has been designed to help you learn Italian through a series of fun lessons that are both challenging and engaging.
It has an easy-to-use interface, which makes it perfect for people who prefer learning with apps over traditional courses or software programs.
Duolingo is the best course for you if
👍 You’re looking for free language learning resources.
👍 You’re learning as a beginner and enjoy practical activities.
Duolingo is not suitable for you if
👎 You don’t have access to an Android or iOS device.
👎 Your priority is studying with other learners in addition to being able to speak Italian on your own.
See our full Duolingo Review.
11. Ripeti Con Me Italian
Cost: $16 USD
Ripeti Con Me (Repeat with Me) is a fun and engaging audio course that focuses on conversation, boosting your Italian speaking skills, and pronunciation through more than 800 bite-size lessons!
It’s one of our favorites for this reason as it offers a practical language learning experience where you can practice listening to Italian from native speakers.
This includes news audio recordings, adverts, and the creator himself, a brilliant Italian teacher called Stefano.
In each lesson, you’ll be prompted to speak aloud the words that are being spoken in the recording, helping you to improve pronunciation and understanding.
Whether you’re learning something simple like Italian numbers, or something more advanced, the course is effective.
Ripeti Con Me is perfect for you if
👍 You’re interested in improving your speaking and listening skills through fun lessons with interactive activities.
👍 You want a course where native speakers can help correct mistakes as they occur during conversations.
👍 Your focus is not on grammar or writing.
Ripeti Con Me is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a course that covers more ground than conversation-focused materials.
👎 You’re a beginner and would prefer more structure in your learning.
See our full Ripeti Con Me Review.
12. ItalianPod101
Cost: Starts at $4 p/month.
ItalianPod101 is one of the most popular Italian courses online for learners on a budget.
The course offers a wide range of materials, from audio lessons to grammar explanations and exercises.
One of the best things about ItalianPod101 is that it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.
All of the content is well-organized and makes it easy to navigate your way around the website.
ItalianPod101 is perfect for you if
👍 You’re looking for a wide range of materials to help improve your Italian.
👍 You want an affordable course with content that’s easy to find and navigate.
👍 Listening practice is important to you.
ItalianPod101 is not suitable for you if
👎 You want to improve your speaking skills through lessons and activities.
👎 Your focus is more on writing than listening and reading.
👎 Italian fluency is your goal. This is just a useful secondary resource.
13. Glossika Italian
Cost: $30 p/month.
Glossika is a unique course that helps you to improve your Italian fluency through sentence repetition.
The course contains thousands of sentences in multiple dialects, making it perfect for learners who want to focus on their speaking skills.
One of the best things about Glossika is that it’s available as an app, making it easy to access your lessons wherever you are.
Glossika Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You’re looking to improve your speaking skills through pronunciation practice.
👍 Your focus is on spoken fluency rather than written language.
Glossika Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 Reading Italian is more important to you than speaking it.
👎 You’re looking for a structured course with grammar explanations and exercises.
14. Busuu – improve your Italian writing skills
Cost: Starts at $5.83 a month.
If you’re interested in improving your writing skills, then Busuu is the perfect course for you.
The website offers a wide range of writing exercises, from beginner to advanced level.
In addition, you can get feedback on your writing from other learners and native speakers.
Busuu Italian is useful if speaking is important to you, but we don’t think it will bring you to a level of fluency in Italian on its own.
That said, it’s a great supplementary resource.
Busuu is perfect for you if
👍 You want to improve your writing skills.
👍 You’re looking for a course that offers a wide range of writing exercises.
👍 You want to be able to read in Italian
Busuu is not suitable for you if
👎 Speaking is more important to you than writing.
👎 You’re looking for a course that offers grammar explanations and exercises.
👎 Your ultimate goal is fluency in Italian.
15. Italian Uncovered
Cost: $297 one-time payment.
Italian Uncovered is one of the best Italian courses for beginner-level learners looking to learn vocabulary and grammar rules in a fun, accessible way.
The course offers videos with interactive subtitles that make it easy for you to follow along with native speakers.
The course was created by linguist Olly Richards, the creator of Short Stories in Italian and I Will Teach You a Language, an award-winning blog for foreign language learners.
Italian Uncovered is perfect if you’re serious about your Italian studies, but don’t want to take a course that’s too academic or boring.
The course covers both written language and comprehension exercises so you can improve all of the skills required for fluency in Italian.
Italian Uncovered is perfect for you if
👍 You’re looking for a well-organized, beginner-level course.
👍 You want to learn grammar rules and vocabulary in an engaging way.
👍 You want to be able to boost your Italian language skills quickly
Italian Uncovered is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a course that’s specifically designed to improve your speaking skills.
👎 Your focus is on reading over listening and writing.
16. Memrise Italian
Cost: Free.
Memrise Italian is one of the most popular Italian language apps for learning Italian vocabulary.
The course is perfect if you’re looking to expand your vocabulary and improve your speaking skills, as it’s full of images that help with memorization.
Memrise Italian is useful because it helps you find words within a context that makes them easier to remember.
It does this by using native speakers and adopting a teaching style called spaced repetition.
Memrise Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You’re looking to improve your Italian vocabulary.
👍 You want a course that uses images and native Italian speakers to help with memorization.
👍 You want an app as well as lessons on the website.
Memrise Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking to improve your reading skills in your Italian lessons.
👎 Written texts are important to your learning style.
👎 Your priority is improving speaking and listening skills, rather than vocabulary.
See full Memrise Review.
17. Language Drops – A Fun, Immersive Option for Italian Beginners
Cost: $5 p/month for Premium.
Language Drops is a website that provides audio Italian lessons as well as learning materials.
The course makes it easy to pick up the basics of the language, and you can choose from beginner through advanced levels.
In addition, there are some fun games available to make your learning experience more enjoyable and social.
One downside to Language Drops is that there’s no structured curriculum, so it can be difficult to keep track of your progress.
Language Drops is perfect for you if
👍 You want a fun and immersive way to learn Italian from scratch.
👍 Audio lessons are important to you.
👍 Games are an enjoyable learning tool for you
Language Drops is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a structured course with grammar explanations and exercises.
👎 You want to be able to read in Italian.
18. Yabla Italian
Cost: $15 p/month for Premium.
Yabla Italian is a video-based course that helps you learn Italian by watching authentic videos from the real world and then providing interactive exercises to test your comprehension skills.
One of Yabla’s best features is that its video lessons provide subtitles in both English and Italian. So, you can use it to practice your reading comprehension skills as well.
On the downside, Yabla has a limited number of video lessons and isn’t suitable for complete beginners or people who have never studied Italian before.
Yabla is perfect for you if
👍 You’re looking for an interactive way to learn from authentic, real-life videos.
👍 Using subtitles in both English and Italian is important to you.
👍 You want a course that’s suitable for complete beginners or people who have never studied before.
Yabla is not suitable for you if
👎 Your priority is learning written vocabulary, grammar rules, and spoken language skills.
👎 You’re looking for a structured course.
19. L-lingo – Free Italian Courses
Cost: Free
L-Lingo.com is an excellent resource for beginners, as it provides free Italian lessons with no registration required.
The course offers a straightforward method of learning the basics through vocabulary and grammar explanations accompanied by helpful examples.
One downside to L-Lingo is that there are not many exercises available beyond simple quizzes, so it may be difficult to practice your Italian skills.
l-Lingo Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You’re a beginner and want an easy way to learn the basics of Italian grammar and vocabulary.
👍 Grammar explanations with examples are important to you.
👍 You want to be able to practice your Italian skills.
l-Lingo Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking for a more immersive course with audio lessons and cultural content.
👎 You want more exercises than simple quizzes.
20. Italy Made Easy
Cost: $197 to $248, depending on the lessons you choose. Payment plans begin at $50/month.
Italy Made Easy is an Italian course created by online Italian teacher, Manu Venditti.
This language learning course is perfect for those who want to improve their speaking and listening skills, as well as practice Italian translation. It provides a large amount of audio content.
In addition, the course is very comprehensive, covering grammar explanations and exercises, vocab lists with pronunciation guides, cultural insights, and more.
One downside to Italy Made Easy is that it can be expensive in comparison to other courses.
Italy Made Easy is perfect for you if
👍 You want to improve your speaking and listening skills.
👍 You’re looking for a comprehensive course with audio content.
👍 You want grammar explanations and exercises.
Italy Made Easy is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re learning Italian on a budget.
👎 You’re looking for a course that focuses on writing and reading skills.
21. Coffee Break Italian
Cost: Free podcasts. $108 one-time purchase for access to all lessons.
Coffee Break Italian is an online course created by British teacher Mark Pentleton. It is part of the Radio Lingua Network and makes language learning fun for its listeners.
The course is designed for beginner and intermediate learners, and it offers a variety of exercises to improve your Italian language skills.
This really is one of our favorite online Italian courses.
Each lesson includes a transcript and a translation, so you can check your understanding of the material.
Coffee Break Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You want to improve your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
👍 You’re looking for a course that offers a variety of exercises.
👍 You want transcripts and translations.
Coffee Break Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You don’t enjoy audio lessons
👎 You want to speak Italian more than listen to it
22. FSI Italian
Cost: Free
FSI Italian is a language course produced by the Foreign Service Institute.
The FSI courses are designed to teach you how to communicate in various situations, such as asking for directions or ordering food at a restaurant, and making small talk with strangers.
One downside of this course is that it’s difficult to use on your own because it was devised as a classroom-based course.
FSI Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You want to master the different skills needed to communicate in daily life situations such as asking for directions.
👍 You’re looking for immersive online Italian courses without too much of a focus on grammar or vocabulary.
👍 You need to cover Italian language basics quickly.
FSI Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You want to focus on grammar and vocabulary.
👎 You’re looking for a course that is tailored to your level of Italian.
23. Mosalingua Italian
Cost: One-time payment of $4.99.
Mosalingua Italian is an app that offers a variety of exercises to improve your Italian language skills.
The app has two main sections: vocabulary and grammar, both of which come with exercises to test your understanding.
One downside of this app is that the lessons are not arranged in a logical order, so it can be difficult to find what you’re looking for.
Whilst this is an app, so not one of the best Italian courses online, per see, it is a great resource to accompany other learning methods.
Mosalingua Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You want to focus on grammar and vocabulary.
👍 You’re looking for an app with exercises that target both skillsets.
Mosalingua Italian is not suitable for you if
👎 You’re looking to improve your Italian speaking skills.
👎 You want a course with lessons arranged in a logical order.
24. News in Slow Italian
Cost: One-time payment of $19.95
News in Slow Italian is a podcast that offers news reports on the Italian language as well as some cultural tidbits about Italy.
It is a great Italian language resource that provides clarity to Italian grammar and makes learning Italian easier, integrating you into Italian culture.
The lessons are designed for beginner and intermediate learners.
News in Slow Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You want to improve your Italian comprehension skills.
👍 You’re looking for a podcast that offers news reports and cultural tidbits about Italy.
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You want to focus on speaking Italian more than listening to it.
👎 You are looking for a free Italian course
25. Language Transfer
Cost: Free.
Language Transfer is not one of the online Italian courses we would recommend as a sole resource. However, the site offers a variety of exercises to improve your Italian language skills.
It is a useful tool for beginner and intermediate learners, and it is free to use.
Language Transfer is perfect for you if
👍 You’re looking for an online Italian course that offers a variety of exercises, such as fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice questions.
👍 You want to improve your vocabulary skills.
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You are looking for well-rounded Italian courses.
👎 You’d like to find an online course with video content.
👎 You want to focus on grammar exercises.
26. The Mimic Method
Cost: $197 (One-time payment) which provides lifetime access to materials.
The Mimic Method is an online Italian course that uses a combination of audio courses, video, and text lessons to teach you the language.
What makes this course unique is that it focuses on accent training as well as grammar and vocabulary acquisition.
This can be great if your focus is on speaking practice and reaching a conversational Italian level.
The Mimic Method is perfect for you if
👍 You want to focus on accent training in addition to grammar and vocabulary acquisition.
👍 You’re an intermediate or advanced learner.
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You are a beginner-level Italian learner. The course might be too challenging.
👎 You’re looking for a course with more visual and audio content.
27. Infinite Italian
Cost: Free or $6.99 for Premium items.
Infinite Italian is an app that is designed for beginner Italian learners. It takes about 30 minutes to complete each lesson and is a great tool for visual learners, with images and word-pairing exercises that mimic the way we learn as children.
The course contains video content and vocabulary lists.
Infinite Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You are a beginner-level learner who wants to focus on reading, writing, and speaking Italian.
👍 You don’t want to spend money on an online course.
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You are looking for a more comprehensive learning experience with video content or audio lessons
👎 You’re searching for the other types of exercises mentioned above.
28. Fluent Forever – Italian
Cost: $79 for the core course, and $49 for each add-on course.
Fluent Forever is another online Italian course that uses a combination of audio courses, video lessons, and text exercises to teach you the language.
What makes this course unique is that it offers a number of different add-ons, such as a pronunciation add-on and a culture add-on.
This can be great for learners who want to focus on specific areas of Italian language learning.
Fluent Forever – Italian is perfect for you if
👍 You want to focus on accent training in addition to Italian grammar and vocabulary acquisition.
👍 You’re an intermediate or advanced learner.
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You are a beginner-level Italian learner. The course might be too challenging.
👎 You’re looking for a course with more visual and audio content.
29. EdX Italian Language and Culture: Beginner (2022)
Cost: Free
The EdX Italian Language and Culture course is a free online Italian course for beginners and intermediate l
earners.
The course contains video content, grammar lessons, reading exercises, and Italian vocabulary lists.
It also includes a section on Italian culture that covers topics such as food, fashion, history, and art.
This resource is perfect for you if
👍 You are a beginner- or intermediate-level Italian learner.
👍 You want to learn about the culture of Italy in addition to learning the language.
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You are looking for a course with more visual and audio content.
👎 You want a course that offers exam preparation assistance.
30. Live Lingua – Italian Courses and Tutors
Cost: Approx $29 p/hour including exam prep.
Live Lingua is a provider of online Italian tutors. It claims to be one of the oldest online language schools and language learning platforms.
The company’s USP is that it lets you pick a native-speaking tutor to help you immerse yourself in Italian culture from the comfort of your own home.
In honesty, so does Preply and so does italki, both of which we mention above.
However, Live Lingua’s tutors are fully qualified to teach and are familiar with providing preparation for Italian exams.
Live Lingua Italian Courses is perfect for you if
👍 You want help with exam preparation from a native tutor
👍 You are in the group of intermediate and advanced learners
This resource is not suitable for you if
👎 You want a course that offers video content or cultural lessons on Italy, such as news reports.
Summary: The 30 Best Online Italian Courses
So, there we have it. We have taken you through the 30 best online Italian courses. Let’s take a look at some of the key points to take away from this post.
🇮🇹 The right course for you will depend on whether you want to learn basic Italian from scratch, develop existing conversational skills, or continue your path to fluency from an advanced level.
🇮🇹 If you want to focus on reading, writing, and speaking Italian, we recommend paying for a course that is well-rounded and varied.
🇮🇹 Accent and pronunciation training is always best with a tutor who has experience teaching Italian in the target language, rather than any voice-recognition software.
You are going to get from a course what you put in. The best course in the world won’t work for you if you are not committed and dedicated to learning Italian.
Likewise, a mediocre course may suffice if you already have a good level of Italian and use a mixture of other free resources.
Whichever language learning option you choose, we hope this article is useful to you and that it provides a glimpse of the range of Italian courses online right now.
Browse the courses in this post and see which one is right for you.
Buona Fortuna! 🙂 🇮🇹
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Author bio:
James is the founder of travel-lingual.com, this online travel, and language blog. He is a tutor of English, Spanish and French. He has visited 35 countries and has tried dozens of Italian courses to date.
He has worked as a language teacher in France, Spain, Argentina, and Costa Rica. His love of languages led him to create this blog, to share best practices in language learning and inspire others to learn!