Italian Cultural Programming

Viva Italia!

Italian Language Classes and Programming 2026 

The Lewiston Council on the Arts offers various levels of Italian Language Classes

Led by instructors Dr. Linda Silvestri and Manola DeMunda. 

Classes are held at the Lewiston Red Brick Schoolhouse, Lewiston Council on the Arts Meeting Space, Second Floor.

Contact Michelle at [email protected] for details. 

Complete Italian Step by Step

with Instructor Dr. Linda Silvestri, PhD,

University at Buffalo, Niagara University

A holistic and entertaining approach to learning Italian,  employing the four language learning skills:

listening, reading, writing and speaking, with conversation through dialogue and song.

Classroom experiences are enhanced with access to online interactive app. 

Mondays 

4:00 to 5:30 Beginner Level 1

Beginning Monday, April 13th thru Monday, June 22nd

No class May 25th.

Saturdays

1pm-2:30 Level 2

11:00 to 12:30 Level 3

Beginning Saturday, April 11th thru Saturday, June 20th 

No classes on Saturday, May 23rd

Tuition: $200 for ten 90-minute classes

Special Price for LCA members: $175

Textbooks:

Complete Italian Step by Step, by Paola Nanni-Tate

Easy Italian Reader, Premium Third Edition, by Riccarda Saggese

Italian-English/English-Italian Dictionary--your choice

 

 

Beginner Italian Language Lessons

Essenziale 1, Part 1

with Manola DeMunda

Grammar and Vocabulary, Workbook exercises

Ten 90-minute classes

Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30pm

Beginning Monday, April 13th thru Monday, June 22nd 

**There will be no class on Monday, May 25th**

Tuition: $200

Special Price for LCA members: $175

Textbook: Italiano essenziale $30.00

                                                                    

 

FREE Italian Cultural Programs at the Lewiston Public Library

with Dr. Linda Silvestri and Michelle Kratts

In collaboration with the Lewiston Public Library, FREE Italian cultural programs are scheduled as a supplementary to the language classes and held at the library site, located at 305 S. 8th Street, Lewiston, New York. All are welcome!

 

Scopa: Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:45

Italian Conversation: Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:00

La Dolce Lettura: the first Tuesday of each month 

Italian Language Book Club: the third Tuesday of each month 

Italian Movie Matinee--every other month 

 

La Dolce Lettura

The first Tuesday of each month from 4-6 pm

Discuss short stories, poetry and other forms of literature in Italian and English.

This is for beginners and those with an interest in Italian culture and literature.

Materials will be provided.

 

June 2--The Art of Italian Hand Gestures

July 7--Discussion of Luigi Pirandello's play, Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore

August 4--Discussion of Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels,

and a viewing of Season #1, Episode #1, The Dolls

September 1--Discussion of Primo Levi's Holocaust memoir, Se questo è un uomo

October 6--Literature of the Diaspora

November 3--Italian Folklore

December 1--La Befana Folklore 

 

 

Italian Language Book Club 

The third Thursday of each month from 4-6 pm

This group is facilitated by Dr. Linda Silvestri.

This group will read The Da Vinci Code in Italian over several sessions.

Books may be purchased or borrowed. Italian copies will be provided.

 

May 19--Il Codice Da Vinci--be ready to discuss Chapters 88 through the Epilogo (end of book)

Friday, May 29th--View movie Da Vinci Code at 3:30

 

 

                                                                    

 

Italian Movie Matinee