Italian
Youth Programs
We believe in teaching Italian from an early age.
Italian School NJ has developed its own sequential curriculums following the requirements of the Common European Frameworks so that children will learn the language through the years through age appropriate activities. Attention is given to 4 skills: listening and comprehension, ability to speak, read and write Italian (when applicable for the last two). Our goal is to create an encouraging environment to learn the Italian language by providing small classroom sizes and individual attention to all students.
Please note that at the Italian School NJ we divide the students based on their age, class grade, skill levels, and knowledge of Italian language. Placement in a different level and age group can be made by our staff based upon individual skill levels.
Learn About Youth Programs
Pre-K: Cuccioli
(2.5-4 & 4-5 years old)
For Cuccioli and Coccinele the focus is the listening and comprehension and ability to speak. ISNJ offers two levels for these age group: beginner/intermediate for those students who don’t know Italian at all or have some exposure to it advanced (bilingual) for those children who have a perfect comprehension of the language and have at least one parent that speak Italian to them in Italian.
ISNJ has developed a play-based curriculum that evolves around age-appropriate activities and “full immersion”. It has been shown that students of this age in particular benefit from activities and lessons conducted solely in Italian, as it encourages them to express themselves and think in the language.
Lessons are “theme based”, focusing on vocabulary-building activities such as songs, pretend plays and show and tell, visual aid games, art and crafts, etc.. “Themes” include greetings, numbers, colors, body parts, foods, seasons, family, animals, holidays and more. Children will be introduced to the Italian alphabet.
Cuccioli and coccinelle can attend classes more than once a week.
Elementary School Age: Coccinelle
(5 – 6 years old, Kindergarten), Scoiattoli (6-8 years old, 1st & 2nd grade), and Farfalle (8-10 years old, 3rd to 5th grade)
Scoiattoli and Farfalle will also follow a very structured, “theme based” curriculum, that will the focus is not only in the listening and comprehension and in ability to speak but also to read and write in Italian. Students will start to explore the very reach and complicated Italian grammar in 1st grade.
ISNJ offers three main levels for these age groups. Beginner for those students who don’t know Italian at all or have had little exposure to it, Intermediate for those students who have understanding of basic Italian and know how to construct small phrases and Advanced (or Bilingual) for those children who have a perfect understanding of Italian and have at least one parent that speak Italian to them in Italian.
Our students will also learn about geography, history, art and literature and general “usi e costumi”, based on their preference. We have created an interactive way of presenting these topics through slide shows and even student essays. The students will learn new things about Italy every lesson!
Middle School Age: Fringuelli
(10-13 years old (6th – 8th grade)
Fringuelli follow a very structured sequential curriculum that incorporates listening and comprehension, ability to speak, read and write Italian.
Our students will also learn about geography, history, art and literature and general “usi e costumi”, based on their preference. We have created an interactive way of presenting these topics through slide shows and even student essays.
High School age: Giraffe
14 years old & up (9th to 12th grade)
Italian School NJ is excited to announce the introduction of both group and private lessons for high school students interested in bolstering their Italian skills outside of the classroom.
This particular program is best suited to the high school student who is interested in transitioning into higher-level Italian classes, improving their grades in their current Italian class, or to those who need extra assistance outside of a classroom setting.
As lessons take place exclusively in Italian, each student will have the opportunity to practice their Italian conversation skills, while expanding their vocabulary and knowledge of Italian grammar. These particular preparatory sessions would also include a range of listening activities, writing prompts and responses, and conversational response activities that comprise a large portion of the exam.
High School tutoring and AP Italian
Our team of highly qualified instructors, some of whom teach or have taught at the high school level, is also excited to assist in preparation for the AP Italian exam. Italian School NJ takes a particularly spherical approach to instruction, which allows students a unique opportunity to engage in every aspect of the Italian language.
If your student is interested in an intensive prep course and a 4 or a 5 on the AP exam, a small group can be arranged.
Please request a class here.
Alternatively private lessons can be arranged anytime
Bilingual Youth Classes
For those children who have transferred to America from Italy and are looking to continue their Italian education, or for those children who were born here but have native Italian parents, Italian School NJ is a perfect choice.
Clicca qui per saperne di più in italiano.
Our programs and curricula are based on the Italian method and therefore incorporate the style and coursework one would find if a child were attending school in Italy.
All of our textbooks and materials come from Italian asili (preschools) and scuole primarie (elementary schools). Our native and native-like Italian teachers speak strictly Italian and ensure that students do the same.
Our goal is to use a variety of play-based activities, written exercises, and reading activities to develop each child’s existing ability to express themselves, while also keeping them on track to return to school in Italy should they ever decide to do so.
Our program is home to an established group of bilingual children who have been with Italian School NJ since its inception. For these students, one or both parents are native Italian speakers, and our program provides them with the opportunity to keep their cultural and linguistic connection to Italy alive while fully engaging in both Italian and American cultures.
Italian School NJ offers a 5% discount for all family members when more than one student from the same family is registered. The discount applies only to full-semester registrations.
Watch us on “Rai International”
La Scuola Del Sabato
La creazione di una comunità Italiana è alla base de La Scuola del Sabato: un nuovo programma organizzato dall’Italian School NJ mirato a creare una comunità italiana dinamica e interattiva.
L’Italian School NJ intende lavorare su due fronti attraverso la scuola del Sabato:
-Far lezione di Italiano ai bambini e ragazzi figli di genitore/i Italiani affinché’
mantengano e migliorino la conoscenza dell’italiano e della cultura italiana.
-Creare gruppi di amici che possano crescere insieme, parlando italiano.
La Scuola del Sabato e’ aperta a tutti i bambini e ragazzi che capiscono perfettamente l’italiano e lo parlano a casa.
La Scuola del Sabato è indirizzato specificamente ad incentivare l’uso dell’italiano come lingua viva nella comunità, specie tra i giovani. Prevede attività culturali e motorie coinvolgenti, destinate a incoraggiare i bambini e ragazzi ad usare l’italiano nella vita di tutti i giorni.
L’Italian School NJ baserà l’insegnamento della lingua non solo sulle lezioni in classe, ma soprattutto sulle attività ricreative, come per esempio il calcio, tenute rigorosamente in italiano con la collaborazione di Vincenzo Bernardo della Morris Elite, per creare opportunità effettive per gli studenti per esercitarsi a parlare ed integrare vocaboli. Le attività, infatti, daranno agli studenti un vocabolario più ampio e specifico, arricchendoli con termini tecnici e un bagaglio culturale che solo chi vive in Italia può vantare di avere.
Italian School NJ offre sconti membri della stessa famiglia. Si prega di utilizzare il codice promo FAMILY al momento del check out per ricevere uno sconto del 5%.
Educational Games
Play and Learn Italian for Pre-schoolers
Play and Learn Italian for Elementary Students
www.uni.edu/becker/italiano2.html
www.bibliotecaitaliana.it/index.php
Play and Learn Italian for Middle School Students
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As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Italian language and culture school, we are proud to serve many surrounding New Jersey Counties to our East Hanover office.
Online and offsite options also available
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