Book an Italian tutor in Vancouver

Start Learning Italian in Vancouver

Italy is one of the world’s most beloved cultures thanks to its incredible cuisine, majestic architecture, ancient history, and romantic terrain. The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Roman Colosseum, rolling hills of Tuscany, and picturesque towns of Cinque Terre and Capri are known the world over. Italian dishes are a regular item in nearly any Canadian kitchen - fewer meals are easier to make or more delicious than a bowl of spaghetti or a pizza from your local takeout. Indeed, you will find Italian communities nearly everywhere in Canada, with a “Little Italy” in nearly every urban centre.

Though Vancouver may seem a world away from the streets of Florence or Milan, it is still a great place to learn the Italian language and culture. Canada’s West Coast metropolis is home to an Italian community that has played an important role in developing the city. An eight block stretch of Commercial Drive is designated as the city’s “Little Italy” in recognition of the Italian businesses and cultural centres that were set up there during the mid-20th century. While the influence of Italian immigrants is no longer what it was decades ago, you can still find plenty of authentic Italian food in Vancouver's bustling restaurant scene and plenty of schools to learn the language.

Let’s take a closer look at the reasons you should learn Italian and where you can find classes in Vancouver.

Why learn Italian?

1. Travel to Italy with Ease 

Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, and being able to speak Italian can transform your experience of the place. Get off the beaten track and visit cafes as the locals do, shop in markets for tantalizing foods, or meet new friends during a night on the town. When you speak the local language, you will often find that people are flattered you bothered to learn and you may even get better treatment and service. You can get directions easily, and talk your way through a taxi ride or a pharmacy when you need something, which can be critical when touring a new place.

2. Improve Your Mind

When you learn Italian, you will be doing yourself the huge favour of improving your mind and keeping it sharp. It has been widely reported that being bilingual can help your brain resist Alzeheimer’s and enhance your cognitive abilities overall. Your mental health will also improve as you meet new people with similar interests and increase your social circles. Finally, by taking classes and setting new language learning goals you will keep your mind challenged and busy.

3. Get Closer to Your Italian Heritage

There are over a million people with Italian ancestry in Canada today, and if you happen to be one of them you may be curious to learn the language of your ancestors. Picture yourself visiting your ancestral village or neighbourhood and communicating with long lost relatives to learn more about your family, or simply becoming more aware of your family history. Learn Italian, and you will find yourself with a deeper understanding of your identity.

How to Immerse Yourself in Italian Culture in Vancouver

If travelling is out of the question, then consider exploring Vancouver’s Italian cultural resources and experience Italy without ever leaving the city. Head to Il Centro, Vancouver’s Italian cultural centre for courses, events, and enrichment. You will find courses for both children and adults, as well as a banquet hall you can rent out for special events, an Italian library, and even a sports complex you can play ‘football’ in. Il Centro also hosts film festivals and markets, so make a visit and get involved!

The Dante Alighieri Society of BC is another incredible resource for students of Italian. You will find a fantastic Italian language school aimed at students of all levels, as well as a film and book club among other cultural events. Check out a talk from a University of British Columbia professor on the work of Dante, or get your PLIDA certification to prove your Italian proficiency or apply for Italian citizenship or residency. 

For serious learners and business professionals, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West is also an incredible resource for learning all things Italian. Here, you will also find Italian classes with a focus on business as well as a wine school where you can learn all about the fine wines of Italy. The organization promotes business between Italy and Canada, and is part of a large network of chambers of commerce. You will need to be a member to access services, so check out the site for more details.

Find an Italian Language Class in a College or University

Should you be interested in learning Italian to get a college diploma or university degree, you’ll be pleased to know that several post-secondary institutions also offer programs in Italian. The University of British Columbia offers courses in Italian, as does Simon Fraser University, BCIT, and Langara College. 

Learn Italian with a Private Tutor or Teacher

Another great way to learn Italian in Vancouver is with a private tutor you can find on sites like Superprof. With a private tutor, you can design your own learning program or supplement your coursework. You decide what you want to learn, and your tutor will help you realise it! Whether you want to focus on Italian for travel, writing, or business, a private tutor can prepare lessons for you that work.

One essential part of language learning is conversation, and a private tutor can engage you one one-to-one conversation practice to help you improve your listening skills and automaticity when speaking. This is great if you can’t make it to Italy anytime soon and want to keep your skills up to speed.

With a tutor, you also have flexibility when scheduling and choosing locations. You can meet at a library, cafe, or park, do lessons over Zoom or Google Meet, at times that work for the both of you. If you know of any friends or family that also want to learn Italian, simply include them in your group and have your own private program. There are so many possibilities!

Find your private Italian tutor on Superprof today!