8. Italian language and civilization

People of different ages and nationalities wishing to learn Italian and study its civilization may take advantage of a number of opportunities either abroad or in Italy.

8.1 Courses abroad

The two main organizations acting as official organs for the diffusion of the Italian language and civilization abroad are the Italian Cultural Institutes and the Committees of the Società Dante Alighieri.

8.1.1 Italian Cultural Institutes (Istituti Italiani di Cultura – IIC)

Italian cultural institutes come under the authority of the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and cooperate with Italian Embassies and Consulates abroad in preparing certified documents, legalized translations and “Dichiarazioni di Valore” for holders of local secondary or higher education qualifications who wish to enrol in Italian universities or apply for academic recognition of their qualifications in Italy.
They also run Italian language courses at different levels, courses in Italian literature and civilization, seminars and/or lectures on Italians who have become famous for their achievements in artistic, literary, or scientific fields.
Most Italian cultural institutes provide the opportunity to take the Italian language examination devised by the two Universities for Italian as a foreign language in Perugia and Siena and by the University "Roma Tre" for international students seeking admission to an Italian university. Students who pass the exam obtain a certificate demonstrating their knowledge of Italian.

8.1.2 Dante Alighieri Society (Società Dante Alighieri)

The Dante Alighieri Society is an organization located in Rome which has a number of committees (comitati) all over the world.
Its chief purpose is to promote the knowledge of Italian culture among all foreigners or Italian immigrants and their descendants wishing to keep up their former links with Italy.
Through its committees the Società Dante Alighieri establishes schools and libraries, runs language courses, promotes the diffusion of Italian books and publications, organizes lectures, cultural meetings and events and awards fellowships.

8.2 Courses in Italy

A number of Italian language courses on offer in Italy are listed in a guide published yearly by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The following list gives an outline of courses offered by Italian Universities and the Dante Alighieri.

8.2.1 Italian universities

At each academic institution, courses in Italian - including both language and literature - are offered to international students mainly at the university language centres (Centri linguistici di Ateneo). Some of these courses may be reserved for scholarship holders participating in EU mobility programmes.
Two state universities in Perugia and Siena specialise in courses in Italian language and civilisation for foreigners.

University for foreigners at Perugia (Università per Stranieri)
The University for foreigners at Perugia carries on teaching and research activities aiming at promoting the knowledge and diffusion of the Italian language, civilisation and way of life. Its Faculty of the Italian language and civilisation organises:

University for foreigners at Siena (Università per Stranieri di Siena)
The University for Foreigners at Siena primarily defines itself as a research centre specialized in teaching Italian as a second language as well as in spreading Italian civilisation and cultural traditions around the world.
The University runs courses in Italian language and civilisation for foreigners, language and cultural courses for foreign students seeking enrolment at Italian universities. It also organises refresher or specialisation courses and training activities for teachers of Italian as a second language.
Siena awards certificates, diplomas, and specialisation diplomas in Italian language and civilisation as well as national university degrees

8.2.2 Dante Alighieri Society (Società Dante Alighieri)

The Society is active not only abroad but also in Italy, where it acts through a number of local committees in towns such as Bologna, Florence, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Pietrasanta (Lucca), Roma, Siena, Trieste, Urbania (Pesaro-Urbino) and Venice.