Why Learn Italian?
Our Italian courses help you better understand the country, its culture, and everyday life—from Italian movies and music to food, fashion, and daily life at university in Italy. In our courses, you’ll practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a practical way and can put what you’ve learned to the test right away—whether you’re traveling, studying, or interacting with Italian students.
This is what Italian sounds like:
Registration and Deregistration
Registration for our Italian courses in the 2026/27 winter semester takes place via unisono and is open during the first and second registration periods:
Registration Phase 1: August 17 – September 6, 2026
Registration Phase 2: September 21 – October 4, 2026
If you are unable to attend a course after all, you can drop the course via unisono from September 7 through September 20, 2026. After this date, please send an email to sprachenzentrum@spz.uni-siegen.de to drop the course.
Placement Test
If you have not taken an Italian course at the Language Center in the past two semesters, please register for an Italian course (“course of choice”) via unisono during the registration periods.
You should select your preferred course based on your personal assessment using the self-assessment grid of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
If you have valid proof or a valid certificate of your language proficiency, a placement test is not required.
Our Italian Teachers
Carmelo Alessio (Lino) Meli lives in Rome and is a professor of philosophy at Salesiana University; he has also been a lecturer in Italian at the University of Siegen for over ten years.
He has a special passion for southern Italy, theater, culinary experiences, classical and Baroque music, and poetry—which he enjoys reading and writing himself. His latest collection of poems is titled *Attimi Moderni*.
He directs the Summer School, where participants not only get to know Rome and Italy but can also experience everyday Italian life firsthand.
His motto is“Sapere aude”—“Have the courage to use your own understanding,” after the philosopher Immanuel Kant. For him, good teaching does not mean filling students’ heads with information, but rather encouraging them to think independently, ask questions, and use their own intelligence. After all, nothing is more beautiful than the freedom of thought.
As a retired literary scholar with a habilitation, Ms. Grazia Dolores Folliero-Metz continues to be active in comparative literature research as well as in the teaching of Italian language and culture. Since 2017, she has been teaching Italian with great enthusiasm at the Language Center. For the Italian language is the sole key that bridges the gap between everyday Italian life and the heights of Italian literature and culture: a classical, canonical language of incredible musicality.
Italy has more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country in the world.
Italian cuisine is loved around the world—with more than 600 different types of pasta.
With 40,000 Erasmus students each year, Italy is one of the most popular destinations.
Italian comprises over 30 dialects and regional languages.
What I particularly liked about the course was the communicative aspect. I often find it difficult to express myself spontaneously and fluently in a foreign language. Practicing this in a relaxed atmosphere was very helpful.
The course was designed to be very interactive, and we were encouraged to talk to each other casually to build our confidence in speaking.
I really enjoy Mr. Meli's Italian classes because he always teaches with a lot of passion and enthusiasm. In addition to the language, you also learn a lot about the culture, and he uses a variety of teaching methods.
What I particularly liked about the course was the casual and relaxed atmosphere, the conversations, and the thorough preparation for the exam.
Italian class with Mr. Meli is always fun. I'm already taking my third Italian class with him, and it's great every single time.
What I like about the class is the open atmosphere. You can always ask questions without feeling embarrassed. I think that's especially important when you're just starting to learn a new language.
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us:
Language Center at the Student Services Center (Building F-S)
Sandstraße 16-18
57072 Siegen
Office
Andrea Süßmann
Room: F-S 304
Phone: +49 271 / 740 3002
sprachenzentrum@spz.uni-siegen.de
Come visit us on the 3rd floor—we’d be happy to assist you.
