1. Accademia Europea di Firenze Srl
The gist. This liberal arts school started in 1999. It teaches Italian language and culture inside a historic Renaissance palace in the middle of Florence.
What sets it apart. You can mix your language classes with art, dance, or opera. The school is also an official CILS exam center and offers university credits.
Best for. Students who want to mix intensive Italian lessons with art, music, or official exam prep.
I loved diving into the culture here because the lessons are fun and the teachers genuinely care about your progress. The staff are incredibly helpful and the classes move at a great pace, making the challenging lessons feel highly rewarding. Studying in a beautiful building right in the middle of Florence made this an experience I never wanted to end.
2. Europass Italian Language School
The gist. This school has been teaching Italian in Florence since 1992. They offer in-person classes, online lessons, and university prep.
What sets it apart. You will study inside a historic palace and use the school's own interactive workbooks. It is an official exam center where you can mix language learning with art or cooking.
Best for. Students who want to pass official exams or enjoy a creative holiday in Tuscany.
The teachers are wonderful and they made me feel like I was part of a family, even though I was in Florence all by myself. I took an intensive course to pass a test for my job, and the lessons helped me speak with confidence in just a few days. The morning classes are very friendly, and the afternoon cultural tours guided by the teachers are absolutely fantastic.
3. The Institute David
The gist. This central Florence school has taught Italian since 1983. It has official approval from the Italian Ministry of Education.
What sets it apart. You can study on a rooftop terrace with views of the city. They also offer workshops in art restoration and jewelry making, use their own custom books, and run summer programs by the sea.
Best for. Learners of all ages who want to mix language study with hands-on Italian art.
The lessons are a great mix of grammar and real conversation, and the staff organised everything perfectly. I loved the guided city walks after class, and the office team was incredibly helpful and kind. The pace was too fast for me as a complete beginner, and I felt quite overwhelmed when I struggled to answer.
4. Parola. Italian Language School
The gist. This school has over thirty years of experience. It sits inside a beautiful fourteenth-century palace in the center of Florence.
What sets it apart. Classes are small with an average of six to seven students. They mix grammar lessons with hands-on workshops in art, fashion, cooking, and leather crafts.
Best for. Students who want a warm, family-like feel and want to learn traditional Italian crafts.
The staff and teachers made me feel so safe and welcome when I moved here alone, helping me find my feet in the city and treating me like family. I loved the extra activities outside of class, especially the museum tours and the hilarious workshop on Italian hand gestures. Starting with complete immersion on my very first day felt a bit overwhelming, but my comprehension improved so quickly after the first week.
5. American Institute Florence
The gist. This friendly school offers hybrid, semi-private Italian classes and exam prep.
What sets it apart. They offer flexible, custom lessons in a warm environment. You can study Italian through hybrid, semi-private classes that focus on real conversation.
Best for. English speakers who want flexible, semi-private Italian lessons with a personal touch.
The teachers are incredibly friendly and dedicated, and their structured method helped me get a great score on my exam. I loved the flexible scheduling and the wonderful human side of the teachers, who make lessons feel like a real conversation. They design tailor-made lessons that helped me fill in my language gaps and take my skills to the next level.
6. Michelangelo Institute of Florence
The gist. Opened in 1975, this school is run family-style inside a beautiful 15th-century palace in the heart of Florence.
What sets it apart. You learn with two teachers. One teaches grammar and the other focuses entirely on speaking. The school also has an art academy and a kitchen, so you can paint, sculpt, or cook while you learn.
Best for. Students who want to practice speaking Italian while learning about art and cooking.
I loved the daily structure of studying grammar in the morning and focusing on conversation in the afternoon, plus the weekend trips to nearby cities were fantastic. The school has a wonderful family feel with small classes, highly competent teachers, and great cultural activities like guided museum tours and wine tastings. The Senior 50+ program was wonderful, with patient teachers and well-organized group dinners and concerts that helped us appreciate Italian life.
7. Scuola Toscana
The gist. This friendly school has taught Italian in the historic center of Florence since 1989.
What sets it apart. They mix language lessons with local crafts. You can study Italian alongside courses in jewelry making, fashion, art history, or coffee making.
Best for. Creative students and families who want to mix language study with classic Italian arts.
The teachers are incredibly patient and kind, and they made our family lessons feel like a great adventure for the kids. I loved the afternoon trips and historical tours, which let us explore the city together after our morning classes. The classrooms are very comfortable and the school sits in a perfect spot right in the historic centre of Florence.
8. Italian Language school Galileo Galilei
The gist. This small school has taught high-intensity Italian in central Florence since 1985.
What sets it apart. They limit group classes to just four students and make sure lessons last a full sixty minutes. You can even study art history directly inside local museums and churches.
Best for. Professionals and students who want to make fast progress through intensive study.
My teacher was so kind and even tailored the lessons to my personal interests, which helped me improve my weak spots quickly. Learning art history directly inside the local churches and museums was an amazing way to practise my Italian. My daily hours were cut in half because they could not find a group at my exact level, though they did switch me to private lessons instead.
9. Inlingua Florence
The gist. This professional school offers flexible hybrid courses in Italian and twelve other languages for adults, kids, and businesses.
What sets it apart. They use a special speaking method and their own learning materials. You can study in person or online using their digital platform.
Best for. Students who want flexible schedules and a mix of online and in-person study.
I loved how the teachers adapted the lessons to my needs and helped me fit the classes around my busy schedule. The staff are incredibly helpful and the school is so welcoming that I would rate it above excellent if I could.
10. Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Firenze
The gist. This intensive Italian school in the heart of Florence has been teaching students since 1977.
What sets it apart. You will speak Italian all day with half-day classes, homework, and lots of oral practice. They also offer cultural activities and fluency tests.
Best for. Serious students who want fast progress through intensive classes and daily practice.
I loved that the lessons were entirely in Italian from the very first day, and the teachers were incredibly patient when correcting my mistakes. The school is highly organised and runs fantastic afternoon activities that helped me build my confidence and understand the local culture.
How HearSay works with language schools
A good class teaches you a lot. But it is hard to find time to practice speaking before your next lesson. That is where HearSay helps.
- We build your practice around your school's lessons. You practice what you actually learned in class, not random extra words.
- Hands-free speaking practice on the go. Use it on your bus ride or while you cook.
- Short daily sessions that fit right into the gaps between your classes.
Are you a language teacher? Join the HearSay teacher community.
Run a language school? Learn about partnering with us.
If you cannot move to Tuscany just yet, you can still build your speaking confidence from home. To practice real-world conversations on your daily walk or commute, start with HearSay today.