The CILS exam, administered by the University for Foreigners of Siena, evaluates proficiency levels in Italian as a foreign language across six levels, from A1 to C2, in alignment with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Each level assesses skills in listening, reading, writing, speaking, and language structure, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of linguistic competence.
As March approaches, Italians around the world gear up to celebrate International Women's Day, or as it's known in Italy, the Festa della Donna. This significant day, observed annually on March 8th, holds deep cultural roots and serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's rights.
Italy has always been a fascinating place for many, rich of history and culture. The idea of tourism as we know it today was born during the Renaissance, it started when British wealthy young people (around 21 years old), usually accompanied by a tutor, went on a long journey through Europe with Italy being the final stop and main attraction.
World Pizza Day, observed annually on February 9th, is a delightful celebration dedicated to honoring the delectable dish that has become a culinary phenomenon worldwide. This day serves as a tribute to the artistry of pizza-making and the cultural significance that this Italian delicacy holds.
Chinese friends or Chinese speakers who are learning (or would like to learn) Italian, don’t worry! We’re working for you!
We know that Mandarin Chinese and Italian are two very different and distant languages: one could say they are almost antipodes. And yet, Italian is a language that fascinates many synophone speakers because of its linguistic difference and its exotic character.
“Shall we have a coffee?” in Italian: “Vuoi un caffe’?” A simple question that encompasses the desire to be together, to confide in one another, to relax, a break during work! The place can be “il bar” or simply at home! This is the first question that an Italian will ask you when welcoming you into his house, right after greeting you!
Italy's national flag, with its iconic tricolor design, is more than just a symbol of the nation; it's a representation of Italy's rich history, unity, and cultural identity. Let's delve into the fascinating story behind the Italian flag – its colors, history, and the profound symbolism it carries.
Italian Citizenship via Marriage and the Level B1 Language Test. We all know that in order to secure Italian citizenship you have to pass the examination minimum B1 Level and above. Many people are curious as to how do we prepare for these papers and do well from there? Well, here’s where we can help!
Between the beginning of the 15th century and the end of the 16th century, one of the most important artistic and intellectual movements in all of European history developed in Italy and Europe: the Renaissance. The latter, having its roots in Humanism, represents a complex and dynamic historical moment that effectively marked the transition between the Middle Ages and the Modern Era.
This famous quote synthetizes the whole period of Festivity Season, or Christmas Holidays – Feste di Natale e Nuovo Anno- for Italians. The holidays, which are public holidays for school students starting around from 23 December and ending on 8th January depending on the Italian region, include religious and lay festivities, like Christmas’ Eve (Vigilia di Natale) and Christmas (Natale) itself, Santo Stefano (Box Day), New Year’s Eve (San Silvestro, 31st December, or Vigilia di Capodanno), and New Year, or Capodanno (the Head/Start of the Year). A very happy period for Italian children, not going to school, and enjoying family, games, presents and food with their families!
Wine represents a very important but also an indispensable component in the Italian cultural and social tradition. Wine occupies a fortunate place in Italian gastronomy, no wonder, since long ago vines found here the ideal conditions and for this reason the Greeks called this territory “Enotria – Terra del Vino” (Enotria – Land of wine), a
sign that the vine and the production of wine were already well present in Italy since the times of Greek colonization.
The names of the days of the week have ancient origins that stretch back through history. It all began with the Sumerians, who established the concept of time in months, based on the moon's full cycle around the Earth. The Babylonians took this concept and expanded it into weeks, with seven days each. But why seven days? The Babylonians noticed that seven days approximated the time between different moon phases and matched the number of visible planets in the sky known to humans at the time: the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, and the Sun.
Italian is a Romance language based on the fourteenth-century idiom used in the city of Florence. The official language spoken today in the Italian Republic and in the Canton of Ticino in Switzerland is based on the Florentine literary used by the great writers Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio.
Let's set the record straight from the beginning: the invention of pasta cannot be credited to the Chinese, and it did not find its way to Italians through Marco Polo. Instead, its origins can be traced back to Arab Sicily, from where it gradually spread throughout Italy, making notable stops in Naples and Genoa. This is the intriguing tale behind the dish that symbolizes Italian cuisine.
