Italian

Italian SLI 2026 - In Person

The Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese (SIP) at the University of Virginia is pleased to offer the Italian Summer Language Institute. 

It is a unique learning experience that allows students to complete both the beginning and intermediate levels of Italian instruction—12 credits—in just eight weeks. This is equivalent to two years of coursework, covering ITAL 1010, 1020, 2010, and 2020, all within one summer! 

Pedagogy and Philosophy

Italian at the SLI offers an accelerated and immersive experience in the language of the boot-shaped nation. 

Our courses are student-centered with emphasis on developing the five skills essential for successful communication in a world language: speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cultural competency. Students are encouraged to work in teams to apply the Italian they are learning to real-world situations and tasks, while their instructors guide them toward greater linguistic proficiency and a deeper understanding of Italian culture.  

Since acquiring a new language works best with practice, students will communicate nearly exclusively in the target language. By the end of the SLI, you will have reached a high intermediate level of proficiency, which will enable you to: 

• Narrate in the present, past, and future tenses. 
• Express opinions and subjective points of view. 
• Give and understand orders. 
• Compare and contrast the products and practices of Italian culture with those of your own culture to gain a deeper understanding of differing perspectives. 
• Master effective strategies for world language learning that enable you to remember new vocabulary and grammar better, communicate clearly with others, and conquer world language anxiety. 

Required Textbook:

• Cozzarelli. Sentieri: Attraversa l’Italia Contemporanea, 4ª edizione. 2023. Digital Access 978-1-54338-948-7, Vista Higher Learning 
• Annunziato and Fiumara. Clic: Italiano col telecomando. 2024. Ebook. 9798385156061, Kendall-Hunt Publishing. 

Daily Schedule: 

The program meets five days a week for eight weeks. Attendance is mandatory for all daily sessions.

Morning 9:00-12:00 - Monday through Friday

Afternoon 1:00-4:00 - Monday through Thursday; no Friday afternoon class.

Check all the available options before applying. 

Students are strongly encouraged to register for the full 8-week program and complete the intermediate level. The option to apply for the first or second half is also available. The table below provides information on the available options.

2026 Costs

All students in SLI programs (including the non-credit option) must pay:

• • Institute Fee - non-refundable: $60
  • Comprehensive Fee - non-refundable: $493 (In-State) - $553 (Out-of-State)
  • Tuition: Depends on the number of credits for which the student is enrolled. Check tuition costs below the SLI Program Fee, and contact us at vera.abbate@virginia.edu with any questions.

This is not a residential program. For information on housing and meal plans, please refer to the following resources:

• • For housing costs, see Summer Session Housing.
  • For meal plan options, see Dining.

Contact Information: 

Department of Spanish, Italian & Portughese