The Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago is a registered office that provides DITALS – Certification for Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language in the United States, with an official affiliation to the Università per Stranieri di Siena.
The Institute periodically organizes courses required to obtain the certifications DITALS Base, I livello and II livello.
THE COURSE
The course is addressed to those who intend to take the exam to obtain the DITALS BASE and I livello certification (for the profiles “Teaching Italian to adults”) and those who are interested in expanding and deepening their knowledge and skills in teaching Italian to foreigners. The DITALS Certification is a certificate issued by the University for Foreigners of Siena, which attests the theoretical and practical preparation in the field of teaching Italian to foreigners.
The course is 24 hours (4 CFU) long and is focused on the main theoretical and methodological aspects of teaching Italian to foreigners, together with simulations on both BASIC and I livello exam tests. The achievement of final eligibility, which will be issued to those who will attend at least 80% of the lessons and actively participate in the proposed activities, will allow students to acquire the prerequisite of the glottodidactic training necessary to be admitted to the DITALS exam.
All courses are taught in Italian.
Course Calendar
- May 2026 (dates TBA)- Course DITALS Base and I Livello
- May 2026 (dates TBA) – Seminar Il cinema per l’insegnamento dell’italiano L2
The seminar aims to broaden and deepen the knowledge and skills of teachers of Italian as a foreign language who are interested in using cinema as a teaching tool in their lessons. The seminar is also aimed at aspiring teachers of Italian as a foreign language, scholars, and those interested in using cinema for teaching Italian as a second language (L2).
Pricing*
- $200 Course DITALS BASE e I livello
- $50 Seminar Il cinema per l’insegnamento dell’italiano L2
- $220 Course and Seminar package discount
*Pricing includes administrative fees
Registration
To register for the DITALS course and/or seminar at the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, or for any other question related to the course details, please email Mary Anne Melchior at maryanne.melchior@esteri.it and attach the registration form.
Registration forms
CERTIFICATION EXAMS
The DITALS BASE Certification is an examination that attests an initial competence in teaching Italian to foreigners, intended in particular for teachers of native speakers other than Italian and in any case aimed at those who are preparing to play the role of teacher of Italian L2.
The DITALS I Livello Certification is an examination that attests a good general competence in teaching Italian to foreigners, supplemented by a specific competence in relation to a particular profile of learners; also gives access to the DITALS Level II exam even in the absence of some of the prerequisites required.
The DITALS II Livello Certification attests an advanced competence in teaching Italiano to foreigners, and it is suitable for teachers working at all educational levels.
Exams Calendar
- Exam date: February 21, 2025
Sessions for DITALS Base and II livello
Registration closed - Exam date: April 11, 2025
Sessions for DITALS Base and I livello
Registration closed - Exam date: July 18, 2025
Sessions for DITALS Base, I livello e II livello
Registration closed - Exam date: November 21, 2025
Sessions for DITALS Base, I livello
Registration open: September 21, 2025
Registration
To register for the DITALS exams at the Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago, or for any other question related to the exam details, please email Mary Anne Melchior at maryanne.melchior@esteri.it and attach the registration form.
Registration forms
- Esame DITALS BASE
- Ripetizione parziale/totale DITALS BASE
- Esame I Livello
- Ripetizione parziale/totale I Livello
- Esame II Livello
- Ripetizione parziale/totale II Livello
