Learn Italian in Italy by Living the Language
An Italian Language Immersion Experience in Rural Romagna

What if learning Italian meant more than sitting in a classroom?

With Esperienza's Living the Language program, you'll learn Italian by using the language as part of everyday life in the villages of rural Romagna. You'll study with talented local teachers, practice Italian with residents, explore the region through food, art and culture, and discover what it feels like to become part of a small Italian community—even if only for two weeks.

This is more than just a course. It’s an immersive and enriching Italian language immersion that will help you learn to speak Italian experientially, as you grow deeply connected to the vibrant Italian culture and slow down to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the region.

Living The Language: Program at a glance

• 14 days / 13 nights

• Small-group Italian language immersion

• Three village locations in rural Romagna

• Interactive, situation-based language instruction

• Most classes and activities conducted in Italian

• Open to all proficiency levels; best suited to students with at least one year of Italian study

• Opportunities to practice with local residents, artists, chefs, musicians and other members of the community

• 2027 programs in Verucchio, Pennabilli and Santa Sofia

Why Learn Italian in a Small Italian Village?

The fastest way to become more comfortable speaking a language is to be surrounded by it in its native environment, and especially to use it!

That's why Living the Language takes place in small communities — where Italian isn't something you encounter only during class. Using the language can become part of your day.

You'll order food, talk with local residents, visit shops and studios, participate in village activities, enjoy aperitivo, explore nearby towns and share meals—all while putting your Italian into practice.

Rather than memorizing vocabulary and grammar in isolation, you'll learn how to use Italian in real situations. You'll hear it, speak it, make mistakes, try again and gradually become more confident. It’s a truly immersive approach, and benefits from our unique relationship with the local community to accelerate your learning.

Your hosts and teachers for the Italian language immersion programs are local people from the villages where we stay, and they are supported by other native Italians, who will offer you a uniquely local “Esperienza.” With their expertise and genuine passion for Italian language and culture, you're not simply visiting a picturesque Italian village. You're invited to participate in its everyday life.

What Makes Esperienza's Italian Immersion Different?

Language For Living

Living the Language uses task-based and situation-based learning designed specifically for adults.

In class, you'll practice the kinds of language you'll actually use while traveling or living in Italy. Role-playing, high-frequency vocabulary and practical phrases help turn passive knowledge into something you can use. Grammar and vocabulary remain important—but they're taught in the context of communication and experience rather than as an end in themselves.

Put Your ITalian into Practice

After class, the village becomes your classroom. You'll have opportunities for direct interaction with Italians through activities such as aperitivo with locals, cooking experiences, visits to nearby towns, cultural events and everyday encounters. And because these are small communities rather than tourist centers, conversations can feel more natural and spontaneous.

Participate—Don't Just Observe

Living the Language works best when you are willing to participate. You'll be encouraged to speak even when you're not sure you have the perfect words. You'll make mistakes. You'll discover that you can communicate more than you thought you could.

The willingness to be imperfect is part of the experience—and part of how confidence grows.

From the Classroom to the Piazza

Your mornings combine interactive Italian language instruction with activities tailored to the group's proficiency levels.

Our teachers bring expertise in areas ranging from theater and ancient languages to poetry, music and cinema. They use these disciplines to make Italian more memorable, engaging and enjoyable.

In the afternoons, you'll explore the region and put your developing skills into practice.

Depending on your program and location, experiences may include:

• Exploring local cuisine and culinary traditions

• Cooking with local experts

• Meeting chefs, farmers, artists and musicians

• Visiting historic villages and cultural sites

• Spending time with local residents

• Attending village concerts and other community activities

• Exploring the art, history and natural beauty of Romagna

• Enjoying meals and aperitivo with Italians

• Visiting nearby destinations such as Rimini, San Leo and San Marino

Most classes and activities are conducted in Italian, creating opportunities to keep learning long after the formal classroom session ends.

Choose Your Italian Immersion Experience

Living the Language now takes place in three villages in rural Romagna, each offering a different level of immersion.

Verucchio — A Welcoming Place to Begin

Verucchio offers the most accessible version of the program and is well suited to all learning levels. Classroom sessions are approximately 3½ hours, with some English used during certain city tours and museum visits.

Best for: learners who want a strong immersion experience with a little more support.

Pennabilli — Build Confidence and Go Deeper

Pennabilli provides a bridge between Verucchio and Santa Sofia. Classroom sessions are approximately 3½ hours, and there is minimal English during activities and visits.

Best for: students ready to rely more heavily on their Italian and increase their confidence.

Santa Sofia — Deeper Immersion

Santa Sofia is designed for more advanced learners who are ready for greater independence. Classroom sessions are approximately 90 minutes, with more meals on your own and additional free time for independent exploration and language practice.

Best for: experienced Italian learners seeking a deeper level of immersion.

Want the full journey?

The three programs can be combined to create a progressive six-week Italian immersion experience. Begin with more structured support, continue building confidence, and ultimately move toward greater independence as you progress from one village to the next.

And there's another benefit: return to the same villages in future years and you may find yourself being recognized by the people you've met. There's nothing quite like walking into an Italian village and hearing someone greet you by name.

Who Is Living the Language For?

Living the Language is designed for adults who want to do more than visit Italy—they want to experience Italian life from the inside.

The program accommodates all levels of Italian proficiency, but it is particularly well suited to travelers who have already begun their Italian language learning journey, with approximately a year or more of study.

You may be a good fit for these programs if you:

• Want to improve your spoken Italian

• Understand more Italian than you feel comfortable speaking

• Are tired of studying Italian only from books or apps

• Want opportunities to use Italian in real-life situations

• Enjoy food, art, history, music and culture

• Prefer small towns and authentic local experiences to crowded tourist destinations

• Are willing to speak Italian even when it isn't perfect

• Want a meaningful connection with the people and places you visit

If your goal is simply to see the sights of Italy, there are many excellent tours that can do that.

If your goal is to experience what it feels like to live in Italy while learning Italian, Living the Language is something different.

What Is Included?

Your Esperienza experience includes much more than language instruction.

The 14-day, 13-night program includes:

• Accommodation in 4-star hotels and carefully selected locally owned inns

• Transportation to and from Bologna and for scheduled excursions

• Scheduled language programs, activities and tours

• Local expert guides

• Breakfast and other meals specified in the itinerary

• Assistance and information before and throughout your trip

• Help with flight arrangements, if needed

• Customized recommendations for extending your Italian adventure before or after the program

Current 2027 programs:

Verucchio: September 1–14, 2027
Pennabilli: September 14–27, 2027
Santa Sofia: September 27–October 10, 2027

Santa Sofia is currently listed as coming soon.

For current availability, pricing and detailed program information, request an itinerary and we'll help you determine which experience is the best fit.

More Than a Language Course

Living the Language is difficult to describe until you've experienced it.

You might spend the morning exploring Italian through poetry or music, the afternoon talking with a local shopkeeper, and the evening sharing a meal with people you've just met.

You might make a grammatical mistake over aperitivo—and discover that nobody cares because you successfully communicated what you wanted to say.

You might return home realizing that the Italian you've been studying for years finally feels less like something you're learning and more like something you can actually use.

As one 2026 participant put it:

“This was an experience unlike any other and lived up to its name, Esperienza.”

— Leslie, 2026 Living the Language participant

Ready to Experience Italy Through the Language?

Tell us a little about your Italian experience, your preferred travel dates and what you're looking for.

We'll help you determine which Living the Language program—or combination of programs—is right for you and provide a detailed itinerary.bNo obligation. Just start the conversation.

Want to learn Italian before or after your trip?

Esperienza also offers online Italian language immersion programs to help you continue your language journey from home. Click here for details.