Arca
Arca is an Italian language school for foreigners in Bologna (Emilia-Romagna): intensive courses of about 20 hours per week plus lighter options, usually starting every Monday. The school also helps you find accommodation. Below you will find the key facts, a mini guide to Bologna to plan your stay, and a form to write to the school directly.
The course
Also offers themed courses in: art, cooking, online, literature, art history, music, wine, over 50
Public holidays 2026
| 1 January | New Year's Day |
| 6 January | Epiphany |
| 5–6 April | Easter & Easter Monday |
| 25 April | Liberation Day |
| 1 May | Labour Day |
| 2 June | Republic Day |
| 15 August | Ferragosto (Assumption) |
| 1 November | All Saints' Day |
| 8 December | Immaculate Conception |
| 25–26 December | Christmas & St Stephen's Day |
What not to miss in Bologna
- Le Due Torri e i portici UNESCO
- Il Quadrilatero
- San Luca
Planning your Italian course in Bologna: fly into Bologna (BLQ), book the course 2–3 weeks ahead (classes fill up faster in high season, June–September) and, if you can, match your study week with one of the events above — using your Italian at a local festival is worth a week of lessons.
Weather right now
The labels, in short
| ASILS | Italian association of schools of Italian as a second language; quality audited by an independent certifier. |
| EDUITALIA | Association of accredited schools and universities promoting study in Italy. |
| AIL | Accademia Italiana di Lingua: school network with its own Firenze Italian exams. |
| IALC | International association of independent, inspected language schools. |
| Bildungsurlaub | German recognition: the course qualifies for paid educational leave. |
| CILS | Official certificate of the University for Foreigners of Siena. |
| CELI | Official certificate of the University for Foreigners of Perugia. |
| PLIDA | Official certificate of the Società Dante Alighieri. |
| CSN | Swedish student-finance body: the course qualifies for CSN study grants. |
| LICET | Association of Italian language schools with shared quality standards and peer inspections. |
| DITALS | Authorised centre for the DITALS exam (teaching-Italian certification) of the University for Foreigners of Siena. |
Write to the school
Your message is sent via thuisitaliaans; the school replies straight to your email.
Events this year
The city's big festivals, food fairs and cultural seasons through the year. They're not just entertainment: they're the best training ground for your Italian. At a local festival you end up ordering, asking directions, chatting with locals — the real language, the kind books don't teach. If you can, line up a week of your course with one of these.
| Il Cinema Ritrovato ✓ courses on these dates | late June |
| Arte Fiera ✓ courses on these dates | February |
| Bologna Estate ✓ courses on these dates | June–September |
Frequently asked questions
When do Italian courses at Arca start?
How many lesson hours per week are there?
How much does an Italian course in Bologna cost?
Does the school help with accommodation?
Can I prepare for or take an official exam (CILS, CELI, PLIDA)?
How do I get to Bologna?
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