Join our membership so you can attend our language courses! All Italy lovers are welcome!

Learn Italian through a detective story. Over eight sessions, we will explore themes of city life, memory, personal heritage, and personal connections to Italy, blending language practice with cultural reflection. Students of Intermediate and Advanced levels may choose to download the kindle version or paperback of Un Attimo Prima di Morire (One Moment Before Dying), a detective story by Armando Guarino, a Naples-based author. The teacher will have a paper copy, which includes a QR code with songs and poetry, and will provide copies of an extract to Beginners level. Each class will feature:

• Guided reading with explanations of vocabulary, syntax, and idiomatic expressions.
• Grammar workshops focused on practical structures and appropriate verb tenses: present for beginner level, past for intermediate level, and conditional/subjunctive for advanced level.
• Creative activities to develop natural spoken and written Italian.
• Cultural insights on Naples and its surroundings, including Capri and the Amalfi Coast, and other Italian cities as narrative settings, with references to music, film and poetry.
• Meet the Author: a live online conversation with Armando Guarino, offering students the chance to engage directly with a native speaker.
• This program welcomes learners at all levels—from new explorers to longtime students and those seeking to rediscover the language in a literary context. Our shared goal is to develop the ability to narrate personal stories, to remember and imagine in Italian, guided by a novel that speaks of life, death and rebirth.

REGISTRATION: Required. Max 12 students, classes often sell out, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated. All students must be members, no guests are allowed, not even for Dual members.

DATES: Eight Tuesdays. Pizza party on nineth Tuesday.

LEVELS: Sign up for the class that you think fits you best. On the first day of class, you can try other levels and change class if you wish. In addition to your level, you can also audit other levels throughout the whole course (listening only, no talking).

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): For students who have no or minimal grasp of the Italian language—we’ll cover up to chapter 10.
• Intermediate Level 2 (6-7:30pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 1—we’ll cover chapters 11-20 but mainly focus on conversation.
• Advanced Level 3 (7:30-9pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 2—we’ll cover from chapter 21 to the end of the book but mainly focus on conversation.

BOOK: “Italian grammar in practice” by Susanna Nocchi (Alma Edizioni, 2022, English edition)--includes interactive e-book which allows you to access all contents, audio files, and exercises with self-correction online.

NOVEL: Un Attimo Prima di Morire, Kindle version or paperback.

PARKING: Abundant free parking on site.

INSTRUCTOR: Iolanda Marinelli, friends and family call her Iole, is one of our Italian Language Teachers.Iole grew up in Italy where she received her Laurea Magistrale (M.A.) in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, and a Teaching Certification in English Secondary Education from Italy Department of Education. In 2006 she made Hawai’i her home. Here she began to teach Italian at Saint Anthony School in 2016, and in 2017 she completed her Hawai'i Certification as Substitute Teacher K-12 and started substitute teaching at public schools on Oahu. She continued to teach Italian and Spanish for the After School Malama Program at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, and Kailua Elementary School. Iole also served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Hawai’i Association of Language Teachers as Italian Representative. In 2023 she left the Hawai'i Department of Education and started a new job with the Naval Pacific Command. She brings her experience working with children and adds fun to the Italian classes.

NOTE: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.