10 Best Online Italian Courses & Classes

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Written By Jessica Knight

Founder of Linguatics. Passionate multilinguist.

Are you planning a trip to Italy?

When you get there, why not order gelato in Italian?

Well, with online Italian classes, you can learn so much more than that!

They are a fun, convenient, and effective way of learning this charming language.

And since there are so many of them, we decided to create a list of the 10 best online Italian courses.

We’ll introduce you to their main features and briefly show you their content and benefits.

And after that, if you’re still confused, we’ll tell you how to choose the best Italian language course for you.

Siete pronti?

10 Best Online Italian Courses & Classes

1. Rocket Italian

Rocket Italian online Italian classes

If you’ve ever learned languages online, you’ve probably heard about Rocket Languages.

It’s a fantastic learning platform that can teach you a variety of languages!

Rocket Italian Features

With Rocket Italian, you’ll learn how to speak Italian in no time.

The program offers well-structured lessons and a wide range of features including various games and activities.

But you’ll mostly learn through audio lessons. They mostly revolve around easy dialogues. But you’ll also get grammatical explanations.

On the Dashboard, you can access Interactive Audio or Language & Culture Lessons.

So, it’s a nice, well-rounded curriculum.

Also, the export feature will allow you to create your flashcard deck.

And the Travelogue section will take you on a virtual tour through Italy. That’s a great way to listen to more advanced conversations.

You can use Rocket Italian on your computer or via the mobile app (available for iOS and Android.)

Content and Benefits

Rocket Italian will help you work on all language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Lessons are divided into different levels which gives you an opportunity for a clear, linear progression. However, you don’t have to go through every lesson if you don’t want to; the program will allow you to skip ahead.

But lessons build up on each other very nicely, so we recommend that you stick to the suggested curriculum.

Moreover, Survival Kit lessons have extra vocabulary lessons with different topics (food, clothing, body parts, and so on.)

And Rocket Reinforcement activities (Flashcards, “Hear it”, “Write it”…) will help you to test your knowledge.

Exercises might get a bit repetitive, but they’ll surely help you memorize everything properly.

All things considered, Rocket Italian is one of the most popular Italian classes online for a good reason.

Who is Rocket Italian Best For?

Rocket Italian is the best online Italian course for learners who prefer standard, structured learning.

It’s suitable for learners of all levels and ages.

And it’s probably most beneficial to people who like to learn by listening. Read our full Rocket Languages review.

Start your free trial of Rocket Italian here!

2. ItalianPod101

Do you enjoy listening to podcasts?

And you want to start learning Italian from the comfort of your home?

We have a perfect solution: ItalianPod101.

ItalianPod101 Features

Without a doubt, ItalianPod101 is the best program to learn Italian for people who like podcast-style format.

It offers a bunch of Italian audio lessons. Most of them are focused on Italian conversations.

There are also some video lessons you can access after you become a member.

ItalianPod101 also has some useful study tools such as word lists, slideshows, and flashcards.

The “Learning Paths” feature will help you have a better feeling of structure and progress.

The “Word Bank” and “Phrase List” are also nice features that can always come in handy.

So, it’s actually a quite versatile and effective program.

You won’t get a ton of reading and writing practice though, so it’s ideal for learners who want to work on their listening and communicational skills.

Content and Benefits

In a nutshell, ItalianPod101 has plenty of learning material.

Besides podcasts, you’ll receive lesson notes, expansion materials, and so on. And you can find a bunch of fresh, useful, and free material on their Youtube Channel.

But with ItalianPod101, you’ll mostly be learning by listening to conversations. In a way, you can make your own learning path and progress at your own pace.

The slowed down audio and line-by-line breakdowns will help you understand the dialogues.

And the voice-recording technology will allow you to work on your pronunciation.

If you become a Premium subscriber, you’ll gain access to extra content and features.

You’ll also have a chance to get personal guidance and help from a teacher. A teacher will give you advice and direct feedback via the program’s messenger.

Who is ItalianPod101 Best For?

ItalianPod101 is a great learning source for beginners.

It’s ideal for people who want to learn by listening to podcast-style Italian lessons.

3. Italian Uncovered

Italian Uncovered storytelling learning course

Have you heard about the story learning method?

Let us introduce you to Italian Uncovered.

Italian Uncovered Features

Italian Uncovered is an Italian online learning program based on a fictional narrative.

But how does that work?

Well, you’ll be learning the language through stories. That kind of learning is based on the so-called guided discovery.

It’s quite an interesting and effective way of learning. But don’t worry – with Italian Uncovered, you’ll also get a chance to study grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

You’ll also gain access to worksheets, review quizzes, and your progress report.

On top of that, the program will provide you with videos, practice materials, and some helpful features.

The approximate study time of the course is 150-200 hours. And you can study at your own pace.

Content and Benefits

In the Italian Uncovered course, you’ll begin by reading and listening to the first chapter of the story.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to understand the whole book. Sounds impossible?

It actually isn’t. In a way, learning a new language this way is very natural.

After each lesson, you’ll have a chance to test your knowledge in a quiz.

Moreover, Italian Uncovered combines stories, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation lessons as well as speaking activities. So, you won’t only be working on your reading and listening skills.

It’s a well-rounded program that will keep you engaged and motivated to learn more.

Who is Italian Uncovered Best For?

Italian Uncovered is a fantastic Italian course for people who are searching for unique approaches and teaching methods.

Although it’s created for all levels, absolute beginners might find this program a bit challenging.

4. Pimsleur Italian

Pimsleur Italian Learn on the go

Pimsleur Italian is an audio-based learning program that will help you learn Italian in a convenient and efficient way.

The platform is very easy to navigate, and you won’t be overwhelmed with countless features.

Pimsleur Italian Features

Pimsleur Italian offers high-quality audio lessons. They are very comprehensive and digestible.

The Pimsleur Method will help you to learn actively, and that’s very important if you want to progress more quickly.

In essence, you’ll learn new words through context and keep strengthening your vocabulary from time to time.

In other words, you’ll be repeating new words at specific time intervals. According to Pimsleur creators, that’s how you’ll store a new word into your long-term memory.

It’s a rather effective method, and you’ll be able to speak Italian in no time.

Content and Benefits

With the Pimsleur language course, you’ll be learning Italian by listening to audio tracks.

And that’s one of the program’s benefits: you can learn on the go! Why not learn Italian while you’re jogging, traveling, or cooking pasta?

Moreover, the narrators you’ll be listening to are native speakers. Therefore, you’ll pick up on new words and work on the correct pronunciation.

This Italian course isn’t heavy on grammar, and it doesn’t have many reading and writing exercises. But it will prepare you for real-life situations and conversations.

You’ll learn Italian greetings, phrases, expressions, and practical vocabulary.

Essentially, it will teach you all you need to know to get around Italy. And it will help you to get into some in-depth conversation with the locals.

Who is Pimsleur Italian Best For?

Pimsleur Italian is an amazing learning course for aural learners.

And if you want to learn Italian because you’re about to visit an Italian-speaking country, this course is a great option for you. Read our full Pimsleur review.

5. Italy Made Easy

Italy Made Easy is definitely one of the most versatile Italian language courses.

It has audio lessons, podcasts, interactive exercises… It has everything!

Italy Made Easy Features

First of all, Italy Made Easy is a very thorough Italian course. But it’s incredibly well-structured and fluid.

Lessons are taught by the program’s creator and teacher, Manu. He is experienced and very friendly and expressive. Well, he’s very talkative too.

Without a doubt, you’ll learn a lot from Manu. He will take you through all the basics of the Italian language.

With a VIP course, you’ll also get to submit assignments and send voice recordings to get feedback on them from a native Italian speaker. You’ll also get a Certificate of Completion after you finish the course.

Moreover, Italy Made Easy offers a lot of useful features and study tools. The self-diagnosis tool is one of the examples.

You can also download the lessons in MP3 format or PDF.

Content and Benefits

Italy Made Easy lessons are very detailed. And the platform offers very clear, structured learning.

For example, Manu’s From Zero to Italian program offers linear Italian lessons that will take you from, well, zero to hero. It’s designed for beginners and it contains eight comprehensive courses.

The program includes dictation exercises, challenges, translation, and pronunciation exercises.

With Italy Made Easy, you’ll also have a chance to learn from audio and podcast-style lessons. They will help you take your listening and comprehension skills to the next level.

The platform also has plenty of free (and fresh) Youtube content which can be very beneficial.

All in all, this Italian program is a well-rounded course that will allow you to work on all of the language skills and feel motivated in the process.

Who is Italy Made Easy Best For?

Italy Made Easy is ideal for learners who are searching for a thorough, well-rounded learning course.

It’s not for people who want to learn Italian as quickly as possible. It will take some time to complete the course.

6. italki

italki 1-on-1 italian lessons

Maybe one-on-one online lessons are your jam?

If yes, you should check out italki.

italki Features

italki is a popular platform that connects learners and teachers.

In a way, it’s the closest you can get to traditional Italian classes.

However, italki offers something that traditional classes don’t: complete flexibility.

Once you find a suitable teacher, you can schedule a lesson whenever suits you both.

There’s also an Instant Teacher feature, so you can find a teacher who’s available right now.

Hiring an online tutor on italki can be much more affordable compared to other learning sources.

After all, it all depends on how much time you’re willing to invest.

Content and Benefits

Finding a teacher on italki is fairly easy. There are more than 200 Italian teachers you can choose from, which is quite a lot.

However, their profiles will tell you everything you need to know: their hourly rate (and 30 minutes trial rate), their calendar, and a short video introduction.

You should also check other students’ reviews.

And the content of this program really depends on your needs and goals.

Once you start with your 1-on-1 Italian lessons, your teacher will adjust to your abilities. They will also create a suitable learning plan and focus on your needs.

With italki, you can work on any skill you want, and that is one of its biggest advantages.

It’s probably one of the most personalized learning experiences you’ll get on the Internet.

Who is italki Best For?

It’s simple: italki is a perfect learning platform for anyone looking for one-on-one online Italian lessons.

It’s suitable for all skill levels.

7. Glossika Italian

Glossika Italian

Glossika Italian is another great learning source.

It’s mainly focused on the development of speaking skills.

Glossika Italian Features

Firstly, Glossika Italian is well-designed and easy to navigate.

The program utilizes smart technology, versatile study tools, and adaptive learning methods.

You’ll be learning from native speakers and well-structured learning materials. You’ll mostly be listening and repeating what you hear.

The program’s audio-based training will help you develop your listening and speaking skills in a very easy way.

In fact, you’ll be able to learn hands-free! Glossika Italian offers two modes: Full Practice and Listening Only. So, it all depends on your learning environment.

The program is also very adjustable. For example, you can adjust the interval between the sentences, remove the English sentences, and so on.  

Content and Benefits

What’s really great about Glossika is that it provides you with customized content and a personalized learning plan based on your level.

So, the number of sentences you receive depends on your level.

You’ll be learning Italian through full sentences and phrases. That’s how you’ll be able to speak it rather quickly.

Glossika uses the method of spaced repetition. The method is not based on challenging memorization but rather on a more natural way of learning a new language.

This method will also help you understand Italian grammar without actually studying the rules.

And when you finish the course, you’ll have a thorough knowledge of Italian pronunciation, syntax, grammar, and vocabulary.

Who is Glossika Italian Best For?

Glossika Italian is a good learning source for learners who want to improve their Italian skills.

And it’s very beneficial if you want to learn proper grammar and vocabulary.

8. Mondly Italian

Mondly VR Italian Course

Are you searching for something a little more fun and immersive?

Mondly will allow you to learn Italian by playing games or in the virtual reality!

Mondly Features

This online learning platform uses cutting-edge technology to teach you Italian.

Mondly is actually an app, but in a way, it works like a course. Well, a gamified course.

Also, Mondly VR is the first language learning experience with chatbot and speech recognition. So, you can also learn Italian in virtual reality!

But besides app games, augmented reality, and VR, Mondly also offers more standard learning methods. It will provide you with daily lessons focused on improving your vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.

As you can see, it’s an immersive and innovative language learning platform, and you can choose between a standard or an updated version.

Content and Benefits

Mondly Italian offers a free plan, but you’ll get a lot more content with the subscription.

You’ll be learning by listening to native speakers, going through course materials, and so on.

And you’ll be exploring the Italian language through common phrases, not individual words.

Lessons cover all kinds of topics, from entertainment and vacation activities to pets and romance. All of these topics will prepare you for the most common situations.

As you complete the lessons, you’ll be getting points. And there’s also a Leaderboard to check your rank.

Mondly also uses a smart repetition system. That will help you pick up new words and phrases more quickly.

Who is Mondly Italian Best For?

If you’re searching for a fun Italian course with motivating features, you should give Mondly Italian a try.

It’s suitable for all levels and ages.

And it works well as a supplemental source for your learning process.

9. Rosetta Stone

Rosetta Stone Italian

Rosetta Stone is one of the most popular platforms for learning languages.

So, why is it so popular and what does it offer?

Rosetta Stone Features

Rosetta Stone is an old learning software program, but it’s beloved among learners around the world.

If you want to learn Italian, Rosetta Stone offers a curriculum that will help you improve your skills.

However, you should expect a rather different approach. You’ll learn how to use your intuition and creativity rather than getting direct and instant explanations.

So, you’ll have to figure out whether this type of program works for you.

Furthermore, Rosetta Stone Italian will immerse you immediately into the language.

On the other hand, it will take you a while to complete the program, and you should probably combine it with another learning source if you want to take your skills to an advanced level.

When it comes to speaking skills, Rosetta Stone uses TruAccent speech engine. Although it’s not 100% accurate, it will help you improve your pronunciation.

And last but not least, Rosetta Stone offers livestream tutoring. These classes are optional, but they can only enrich your learning experience.

Content and Benefits

Rosetta Stone will introduce you to Italian through different learning methods, from standard exercises to live tutoring.

At the beginning of the course, you’ll start by connecting the word with a picture. So, as we’ve mentioned earlier, you won’t get a clear explanation or translation right away.

You can choose which type of vocabulary you want to work on. These sections include Travel, Work, Family, and Basic and Beyond. That’s really a benefit because it allows you to focus on what you really need.

Some people believe Rosetta Stone exercises can get a bit repetitive, but they’re well-structured and reliable.

Either way, Rosetta Stone Italian will help you get a solid foundation.

Who is Rosetta Stone Best For?

Rosetta Stone Italian is a good learning source for beginners who want to actively work on their Italian skills.

It’s also good for visual learners. Read our full Rosetta Stone review.

10. The Mimic Method

The Mimic Method offers a unique way of learning Italian. You won’t have to get into grammar or tedious exercises.

So, how does it work?

The Mimic Method Features

With The Mimic Method, you’ll learn how things sound. And you’ll work on your communication and speaking skills by listening to speakers.

More precisely, you will try to mimic them and you’ll be picking up new words and expressions by ear.

So, the focus is on pronunciation.

This program will help you discern the sounds so you can sound more like a native.

Italian is fairly easy to read since it’s a phonetic language, but it’s also very intricate. And the only way to have a correct pronunciation is by listening closely.

Moreover, The Mimic Method lessons are quite fluid and comprehensible.

Once you purchase the course, you’ll get access to all the material (video, audio, written texts…)

You can also download the materials to learn on the go.

Content and Benefits

The Mimic Method platform offers the Italian Masterclass that consists of three parts.

It’s taught by the program creator and polyglot Idahosa Ness.

You’ll have access to videos, a custom made flashcard deck, and multimedia hearing and pronunciation training exercises. You’ll also get audio word lists, organized by sound.

Moreover, this class will tell you about all the simple techniques for developing awareness and control of your mouth. This is very helpful for having a good pronunciation in any foreign language, not only Italian.

There are also supplementary Q&A videos for courses as well.

Who is The Mimic Method Best For?

The Mimic Method is a good learning source for learners who want to work on their speaking skills.

So, if you want to master your hearing and pronunciation first, this program is for you.

How to Choose the Best Online Italian Courses?

Italian is one of the most popular foreign languages.

Therefore, the options for learning Italian on the Internet are countless.

However, each course is created for a different type of learner. Some podcast-style lessons are great for aural learners, and video lessons and games are ideal for visual learners.

So, what kind of learner are you?

Maybe a home office & coffee learner?

Best online Italian courses

Also, before choosing an online course, you should determine your goals. Do you want to become a fluent speaker? Or do you simply want to learn a couple of things before you go to Italy for vacation?

All of these answers will help you choose an online program.

You should keep in mind that online courses are designed to be as efficient as possible. So, some of them won’t give you in-depth knowledge of a certain language. Most of them also lack advanced content because they’re focused on beginners.

Therefore, if you’re an advanced learner, you should dig a little deeper to find the right course.

For beginners, this search will be a little easier. However, it’s easy to get influenced by the program’s promo videos and descriptions. Try to read students’ reviews as well. That’s how you’ll be able to make an informed decision.

On the other hand, many platforms offer a free trial so you can actually check if you like the program before purchasing anything.

What Are the Benefits of Online Italian Classes?

Taking Italian classes online is truly one of the best ways to learn Italian nowadays.

You can choose the type of program that suits you the most: video lessons, podcasts, games… There are so many possibilities.

You can even find an online tutor who will create a learning plan and guide you all the way through it. If they’re native, maybe you’ll also pick up a gesture or two 🙂

Italian gesture

Regardless of which course you choose, you’ll get an amazing learning experience because it suits your needs and goals.

And you’ll probably save a ton of time and money.

Many courses will help you acquire language skills very quickly.

On the other hand, you’ll have the freedom to study at your own pace. With many courses, you can learn for 15 minutes or 2 hours per day. It all depends on your wishes and abilities.

And if you prefer clear guidance and structure, you can simply choose a program that will provide you with continuity. For example, some platforms provide their users with daily exercises.

Online Italian learning

A chance to listen to native speakers is another benefit. Listening to the correct pronunciation is crucial in learning any language.

Moreover, online Italian classes will help you to actively work on your communication skills. And that’s something that will be beneficial to you in everyday life too.

Final Thoughts

We hope our Italian classes reviews cleared things up for you.

We tried to include different courses for different types of learners, so everyone can find something for themselves.

That’s the most important thing: to find a course that works for you.   

And once you immerse yourself in the program, you’ll realize that learning Italian can be easy, fun, and fulfilling!