We teach children Italian as they would learn it while growing up in Italy: by hearing it. They play games, listen to stories, do crafts, and sing songs. As they participate in these pleasant activities, the children develop vocabulary, improve conversation skills, and develop writing ability.
Three levels of classes, each building on the previous one, are now being offered. The classes are organized by student age, but accommodations can be made depending on language skill and level.
Please note that additional classes could be arranged upon request during the week, in the afternoon. If you are interested in this or another class not presently offered, please contact us at: info@icc-sd.org
NEW! FALL 2010 Italian Classes for Children
The ICC in partnership with Washington Elementary School offers new classes starting Septemeber 30, 2010. We offer siblings discount and a 10% early enrollment discount by September 15. To enroll online for kids and adult classes follow this 
link
For class descriptions see below or download the enrollment form
Exciting news about ICC’s programs for kids - Fall 2010!
Last spring the ICC became a proud official Educational Partner of Washington Elementary school. Located in heart of little Italy the school has started to include Italian Language as part of the regular curriculum and now in a joint venture with ICC will be expanding its offerings to various enrichment programs. 
ICC’s Kids’ classes will start on September 30th. The program will feature a mix of old and new elements all set in the warm, nurturing environment of the beautifully renovated Washington Elementary School.
In particular, the regular “Italiano Attivo I, II and II” classes, a staple at the ICC, will be offered in the school’s library, which is a state of the art, newly redesigned and furnished facility. Vibrant colors and inviting couches make this room very welcoming and conducive to learning. Classes will run on Thursday afternoons from 5:00 to 6:00pm, and parking for parents will be available at the school.
“Learning Italian through Games, Art and Music”, a brand new ICC program offered at the elementary school facility, designed for kids K-5, will be offered starting October 6th and will run every Wednesday from 12:35 to 2:35 PM. Although this class is primarily designed to support the Washington Elementary School’s minimum day programs, enrollment is open to outside children as well. Kids will play games, sing, dance, work on art projects and have several field trips to nearby restaurants, shops and places in Little Italy.
Returning also in Fall 2010 is our “Parent & me” class. Designed for children from one to three years of age, this class will be a fun-filled experience for kids who play, sing and dance and do other sensory activities while learning Italian.
The class will be held on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, and it will be taught by Eleonora Contaldi who is also a long time ICC teacher of adult classes and the resident Italian Preschool Teacher for the SAY programs held at Washington Elementary School.
Registration will open on September 1st, 2010. We will have complete schedule and enrollment form to download.
More exciting programs and events are in the making so stay tuned for more news!
REGULAR CLASSES
PARENT AND ME - ages 1-4
Give your child the gift of a second language
Did you know that learning a second language at an early age develops the intellectual potential of our brain?Take your toddler to a fun filled class of movement and song at the ICC and introduce your child early to the sounds of the Italian language. During the pre-school years, children take in sounds and language as they move around or simply stay in their mother's arms. They can effortlessly develop perfect pronunciation without any accent all while playing and having fun.
Caregivers can learn right along with the children!
This is not a drop off class; parents or caregivers must stay and are an important part of the learning process.
Italiano attivo I - ages 5-8 students develop vocabulary and simple phrases and questions through fun and stimulating games, stories, crafts, and songs.
Italiano attivo II - ages 7-10 students continue to develop vocabulary and conversational skills and simple reading comprehension, writing and grammar skills are introduced through fun and stimulating themes and activities.
Italiano attivo III - ages 9-12 for heritage speakers and advanced students, to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and expand reading, writing and grammar skills through fun and stimulating themes and activities.
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Eleonora Contaldi Innis
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Torino. Eleonora has attained her University Degree in English and French Language and Literature at the Università degli Studi di Torino. In Italy she taught English, Italian and French language and literature in private schools and cultural centers. She moved to San Diego in 2007 and started teaching French for private schools. She joined ICC in 2008 and has been teaching Italian instruction programs since then. She has also been teaching Italian at Washington Elementary School.
Consuelo Endrigo-Williams
Born in the northern Italian city of Pordenone, Consuelo Endrigo-Williams achieved her Laurea in Art History from the University of Bologna in Italy. While studying for her degree, Ms Endrigo-Williams lectured and conducted art laboratories for young students for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Bologna in the Education Department. Additionally, Endrigo-Williams guided visitors through various exhibitions at Villa Impero. Before moving to San Diego in 2008, she worked in New York City’s prestigious art galleries and museums, including The International Center for Photography (ICP) and Grassi Studios. Due to an intrinsic attraction to visual art and languages, Endrigo-Williams is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Italian Studies from the University of Venice.
Ilaria Tabusso
Born and raised in Rome, but with family origins from Torino, Ilaria got her University degree in Literature and Philosophy from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. Before moving to San Diego she taught Italian to foreigners in Rome. In San Diego, she has taught for several years at UCSD Extension and at the Italian Cultural Center, to both adults and children. Although she loves traveling and no longer lives in Italy, her “italianità” is with her wherever she goes. She loves her culture, food and way of socializing!
She feels that languages are the mirror of the culture and the society. To her, there is no better way of sharing her own culture and love for her country than teaching her own language: Italian.
