[The ci in Amici is pronounced rather like chee in cheeky.]

Between classes you can make progress in your Italian by using Juliana's downloadable online Fra Amici course, which is included in the Full Day Course. You can also practise your Travel Topics using your Italian To Go Complete Express Travel Pack, which is also included.

If you would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact Juliana by email or phone.

Ciao Juliana. Grazie for teaching me the basics of the Italian language. Great course and the Italian biscotti made all the difference. Yum! Ciao!

Emma S.T., WA, 10 maggio 2011

Grazie Juliana. The course has brought my previous knowledge all together & made sense of it. Thanks and see you next year.

Caterina D.C., 15 November 2010

To protect people's privacy on the internet, full surnames have not been used. However, original testimonials may be viewed in person upon request.

Location of Italian Course, Meals and Accommodation  

Cancellations

All cancellations will incur an administration fee of $12.50. If notification is received 14 calendar days prior to course start date a full refund less administration fee will be provided; Cancellation between 14 and 7 calendar days prior to the course will result in a 50% refund less administration fee. Cancellation less than 7 days prior to the course, fees will not be refunded. In the event a course is cancelled by Italian Courses, a full refund will be provided to all applicants. 

FRA AMICI, FRA AMICI 2 and CLASSES - Testimonial 

Over the years, I have had several attempts at learning Italian. This course has been the first one that actually worked for me! At last a knowledge of how Italian language hangs together is cementing itself into my (not so young) brain. The grammar and vocabulary are finally making sense. Of course the conversation really helps too. This is also the first course I have undertaken in which we actually do have real conversation in Italian, which along with the delicious authentic Italian coffee and home-made biscuits, all help to make the experience bring to life a little patch of Italy in Perth. The friendly atmosphere in Juliana's home, round her big kitchen table, adds to the authenticity. One can imagine one is really there and it is sometimes a surprise to walk out of the door at the end of the lesson and realise we are actually still in Perth! Juliana has such a lovely friendly attitude, you feel you really are 'fra amici' (“amongst friends”). 

The fact that I have returned for several sessions, and progressed from Beginners through Intermediate, and now to Fra Amici 2, says a lot. And it is nice to see so many familiar faces return to take part in each new set of lessons. Truly fra amici! 

The material is very comprehensive and professionally put together. The Audio dialogues are realistic, and spoken by genuine Italians, with delightful and imaginative scenarios. 

The grammar sections are most comprehensive. The books include a lot of photos, maps and details of everyday life in Italy. 

It's good being taught by someone who is completely fluent in both English and Italian - it makes it easier to understand some of the complex points of grammar when they are explained by a trained professional language teacher. It is a lot of fun and I look forward to Monday nights. It has enabled me to have more confidence to try out my Italian language skills and to be understood - when I have been lucky enough to visit Italy since doing the course. The travel packs also proved to be very useful. It has been truly well worth the money. 

Jean LQ, Shenton Park, 30.06.2011

 Extracts from longer reviews and testimonials of the Fra Amici Course: 

Fra Amici review 

Booking in for a 12 session course which would incorporate both the Fra Amici and Fra Amici 2 courses (starting with beginners 3 level then moving rapidly to an intermediate level) I found from the start, the lessons to be very accommodating, set in a relaxed, hospitable and comfortable environment. … 

As one of the most important ways to learn to speak Italian is to actually speak Italian, there is ample time during each lesson to converse with fellow group members as you order (in Italian) from Juliana's famous drinks menu at 'la pausa,' a very enjoyable time of the session.  … 

In addition to the Fra Amici 2 course is the quick access phrase book (Italian to go, complete express). The pocket size phrase book is packed full of useful information ranging from everyday language, money, food, transport, accommodation and emergency expressions, all the necessary information to make your trip to Italy even more enjoyable. The colour coded index is particularly useful and user friendly. 

I would highly recommend the course to anyone interested in starting or expanding their Italian language skills and looking to spend time in Italy. Juliana's knowledge and patience in teaching is indeed creative and professional, making the learning process very comfortable. You will find your confidence and understanding improving from lesson to lesson. 

'Fra Amici e' indubbiamente Fra Amici.' Grazie Juliana!

 Anthony B, East Perth, 15.07.2011

Fra Amici Beginners Italian Course for Students and Travellers 

I had always had a hankering to learn Italian. I had visited Italy a few times over the years for holidays and loved the country. In late 2009, my husband and I made plans to visit Sicily in September of the following year and I decided to enrol in an Italian course.  Why did I choose Fra Amici?  Juliana’s ad in the local paper… caught my eye.  

I enrolled and purchased the downloadable online course.  I downloaded the audio files on to my Zen (like an I Pod) and on to my digital radio.  Listening to the dialogues (on CD1 ) while I did the ironing became a regular habit.  The dialogues themselves are lively and entertaining.  A variety of native speakers helped me to get used to the regional and individual differences encountered in Italy.  Being able to follow the written words while listening to the dialogue gave me confidence and trained my ear.  As well as the recorded dialogues, Fra Amici Beginners includes the supporting CDs 2 and 3 which encourage listeners to practice speaking.  

The course emphasises conversation skills, with just the right amount of grammar introduced at various strategic points to aid understanding but not overwhelm.  References in the Communication coursebook guide you to relevant sections of the Grammar. The Grammar Guide is logically and clearly arranged with extensive use of colour coding to underscore patterns of word endings etc.     

Fra Amici Beginners includes more than an introduction to the Italian language.  The cultural and travel information is invaluable. 

Fra Amici Beginners is a great start to learning a language, whether for students or travellers. 

I learned just what I needed for my trip and before we left I was able to send a few emails in basic Italian to book accommodation.  Once in Sicily my husband was impressed with my willingness to take the lead.  Where normally I would hang back and let him do the talking, I was approaching railway ticket offices with confidence to purchase tickets and ordering our food and drinks in bars and restaurants.  …the ability to communicate made a huge difference to our enjoyment of the entire Sicilian experience. 

Yvonne M., Jolimont, WA, 30 June 2011

Testimonials about the preliminary version of Italian To Go

Italian to Go Travel Language Guide 

Reviewed:

You’ve attended 15 Italian beginner’s lessons and you arrive in Italy tired after a delayed flight. You know how to pronounce Italian words, but the phrases are elusive. This is where the Quick Access Phrase Book is most valuable. Small enough to fit into your jacket pocket, or handbag, its user-friendly index guides you instantly, but unobtrusively, to direct your taxi to the hotel, to order the pizza of your choice, or to choose that leather handbag from the many on display. In short, it foresees every possible situation that you are likely to encounter whether it is routine or emergency. Until you have completely mastered the Italian language, this guide will perform well above its weight.

Brian J. Aldrich (Mario) 22^nd November 2009

“Having travelled to Italy twice in the last couple of years, and now having read through the Italian To Go Phrase book in Juliana’s class, I found it covered many everyday topics that you would come across when in Italy as a tourist. The layout was easy to follow, and it was concise and to the point. I look forward to taking the phrase book with me to Italy next time I go. The size of the book will fit perfectly in a pocket or my travel handbag, and I like the spiral binding as easy to turn the pages over”.

Suzanne Belladonna.

“I took the Italian To Go phrase book with me to Italy in September 2009 and found it very helpful and easy to carry around with me. The book has some extremely good conversational translations; some of which I have not seen in other phrase books. The section on food was fantastic, especially the Italian Menu Guide which was very handy in a restaurant. it gave so many different phrases that you could never go wrong! Another great section was the clothing sizes which was good when shopping. The size of the book was perfect – it was flat and light and slipped easily into my bag and wasn’t heavy at all... I will definitely be taking Italian To Go phrase book with me on my next Italian adventure!

Rachel Belladonna