You can start with no Italian at all
Many students start with Lucia knowing only "ciao" and "pizza". That is a perfectly good starting point. Lessons are built around you: if you like to speak, you speak; if you like to understand the rules first, Lucia explains them clearly and then makes you use them.
What you learn first
- Greetings and introductions: saying hello, your name, where you are from.
- Everyday situations: ordering a coffee, shopping, asking for directions.
- Numbers, days and time, so you can make plans.
- The present tense of the most useful verbs.
- Pronunciation: Italian is written the way it sounds, once you know a few simple rules.
Your first Italian phrases
Buongiorno Good morning bwon-JOR-no
Mi chiamo Anna. My name is Anna. mee KYAH-mo
Piacere! Nice to meet you! pya-CHEH-re
Un caffè, per favore. A coffee, please. oon kaf-FEH
Dov'è la stazione? Where is the station? do-VEH la sta-TSYO-ne
Non capisco. I do not understand. non ka-PEE-sko
More phrases, with pronunciation, in our guide to essential Italian phrases.
How long until I can have a simple conversation?
It depends on how often you study. As a general guide, one lesson a week plus a little practice every day helps most learners reach simple everyday conversation within a few months. Read the realistic answer in how long it takes to learn Italian.
Private lessons or the group course?
Private lessons suit you if you want your own pace and a flexible schedule: see prices or lessons in Prague. The beginner group course starts in January: 12 weekly online lessons in a group of three to five students, from €18 per person per lesson.
Start with a free trial
In 30 minutes Lucia checks your level, answers your questions and shows you how a lesson works. No obligation. Lessons follow the Nuovo Espresso coursebook, and Lucia tells you which volume to buy only after the trial.