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.

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.
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times

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!
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times

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. 
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times

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.
See Class Schedule for Dates & Times

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.
For information about high school tutoring, click here