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, January 26th thru Monday, March 30th
Saturdays
1pm-2:30 Level 2
11:00 to 12:30 Level 3
Beginning Saturday, January 17h thru Saturday, March 28th
No classes on Saturday, January 31st
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, by Riccarda Saggese
Italian-English/English-Italian Dictionary--your choice
Beginner Italian Language Lessons
Essenziale 1, Part 2
with Manola DeMunda
Grammar and Vocabulary, Workbook exercises
Ten 90-minute classes
Monday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30pm
Beginning Monday, January 12th to Monday, March 30th
**There will be no classes on Monday, March 16th and Monday, March 23rd**
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
Italian Language Book Club: Every other Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00
Italian Language Book Club
Beginning Tuesday, January 6th from 4-6 pm
The first Tuesday group will be facilitated by Michelle Kratts and Dr. Silvestri.
This will include 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.
Beginning Tuesday, January 20th from 4-6 pm
Dr. Silvestri will facilitate the second Tuesday group.
This group will read The Da Vinci Code in Italian over several sessions.
Books may be purchased or borrowed. Italian copies will be provided.
Schedule for Italian Language Book Club Meetings
January 6-- Selections and recipes from
In cucina con amore, by Sophia Loren
January 20--Il Codice Da Vinci--be ready to discuss from the beginning of the book through Chapter 20
February 3--Poesia d’amore –Selections from the poetry of Gabriele D’Annunzio
February 17--Il Codice Da Vinci--be ready to discuss Chapters 21-43
March 3--Selections from Dante Alighieri
March 24--Il Codice Da Vinci--be ready to discuss Chapters 44-64
April 7--Selections from Italian Operas
April 21--Il Codice Da Vinci--be ready to discuss Chapters 65-87
May 5--Selections from Fumetti (Italian comics)
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
