Italian schools in Bologna

5 Best Italian Language Schools in Bologna in 2026 (from $300)

1 review

Learn Italian & live in your private teacher's home around Bologna with Home Language International! Home Language International (HLI) is a family-run business offering language courses in more than 20 languages in over 30 countries worldwide, including Italian lessons at an experienced private teacher's home in Italy. More than 5,000 students take advantage of our services every year. Ian Josephs, Danielle Josephs, their 5 adult children and an expert team of dedicated staff all put in very long hours for HLI. You stay in an experienced teacher's family home, have one-to-one Italian lessons and then continue to use the language during the rest of your stay in Bologna. Because you are the only student, you are guaranteed individual attention. The lessons are completely designed for you, so the teacher will focus exactly on what you need. Mealtime conversation, television and social contacts are all in Italian. All of our teachers in Italy have a university degree (or equivalent) and/or a recognised teaching certificate. All teachers have been visited by one of our local organisers. Their qualifications have been checked and their homes throughly inspected. During your stay in Bologna, a local organiser will monitor your progress and make sure your experience is both happy and successful. Home Language International (HLI) is accredited by the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS), Association of Language Travel Organisations (ALTO), and UNOSEL.

starting price
$1,259

52 reviews

Madrelingua offers standard Italian courses comprising 20 hours of lessons a week or more intensive 30 hours a week courses. For those who are working or studying in Bologna, we offer evening Italian courses. And for students who prefer to personalize their course or lesson content, there is the option to choose individual or semi-individual lessons. You can even study Italian online, wherever you are in the world, with our virtual classroom system. Our experienced, professional language teachers and support staff will help you maximize the value of your language course: lessons are communicative and personalized to your needs and interests, a tutor and a social-program organizer are available after classes to help you with your studies and free-time activities, and most importantly, Italian is the "lingua franca" of the school, so you'll be putting your learning into practice each day!

starting price
$300

Special offer

5% discount for all courses and accommodations from 2-52 weeks until 31 Dec 2026 Show details »

Learn Italian by "living it" in Bologna. Immersion is not only the most natural way to learn a language — it is also the most effective. At Influent, every course is entirely tailored to you and your goals. Lessons are fully personalised, with your teacher focusing exclusively on your needs and objectives. You choose your dates (Sunday to Saturday), and every lesson is adapted to your level and expectations. As the only student, you benefit from true one-to-one tuition and a learning experience designed just for you.

starting price
$935

12 reviews

ALCE combines high academic standards with a personal and supportive learning environment. Classes are small, usually ranging from 3–4 to 6–8 students, with a maximum of 8 in most periods of the year. Each lesson lasts a full 60 minutes and teaching hours are never reduced because of small class size. Students complete both written and oral placement testing before arrival, and their progress is continuously monitored through regular assessments and individual feedback. The school is located in Bologna’s prestigious Santo Stefano district, in a green, safe and elegant residential area just a few steps from the Giardini Margherita and around a 10-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore and the historic city centre. ALCE is housed in a beautiful Liberty-style villa with dedicated school premises, 10 classrooms, comfortable common areas and a private garden of approximately 3,000 m². The school also has its own fully equipped professional culinary laboratory on site, where cooking and food-related activities are conducted by experienced professionals. The combination of serious academic teaching, small classes, excellent facilities and a welcoming international environment allows students to study effectively while enjoying an authentic Italian experience in Bologna.

starting price
$893

Arca is located in the heart of the historic centre and is very close to the city's main attractions. The school's excellent location and experience make it an ideal place to study the Italian language and culture. Students can choose between weekly group courses for 20 hours per week, flexible individual courses and special courses. Arca is located in a historic building, with large, colourful classrooms with free Internet access. The school also offers two social and recreational activities per week to invite students to socialise, practise their Italian and visit points of interest in the city.

starting price
$360

Recently reviewed Italian schools in Bologna

Madrelingua

I really enjoyed my week-long course. The housing that the school arranged for me was very nice and close to the school. The teachers were very friendly and good at explaining things. The only thing that was lacking a bit were the afternoon... more

Madrelingua

The groups were at times heterogenous, with big discrepancies of levels. i generally appreciated the teachers who were competent. One of the teachers came across as too familiar and infantilizing but overall the quality of the teaching was... more

Italian COURSE TYPES

What type of Italian course are you looking for?

General

General Italian courses

General Italian courses are for adults who want to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Italian. Most general Italian courses are for adults age 16 and up. 2 - 48 week courses available. Most courses average 30 classes per week.

Test preparation

Italian test preparation courses

Italian test preparation courses are for students who want to prepare for Italian proficiency tests to improve job prospects or gain admission into a university.

Business

Business Italian courses

One-to-one business Italian lessons are for business executives and professionals who want to learn Italian as quickly as possible with customized lessons and a private Italian teacher.

Specialty

Specialty Italian courses

Specialty Italian courses are for those who want to study Italian and take part in activities, such as sports, arts, food, and more.