Italian - Many Levels Available - Keep Scrolling!


Reminder: Advanced registration and payment is required.

Classes are listed below. For Spring 2026, classes are in person. Sometimes we have a Zoom option for classes above the beginner level. Please note location for each course below.

If you are interested in teaching an in-person class please email ridgefieldcontinuingeducation@gmail.com or phone (203) 431-2812.

Click here to view several European History and Ridgefield History and Archaeology classes.


Italian: Beginner, Part 1 - Evening
This course, for people new to Italian, focuses on practical conversation and basic language structure. It is a must for people traveling to Italy. Please obtain the text, Italian Made Simple by Cristina Mazzoni for class. Other handouts provided. Instructor Sylvana Serravezza is a native of Venice and teacher of Italian for many years at local universities and in Ridgefield Continuing Education. She has also been a marketing representative for an Italian company.

6 Sessions (9 hours.)       $ 130 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 116)
Wed., 3/11, 18, 25; 4/1, 15, 22 from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. 


Italian: Beginner, Part 2 - Evening
This course is a continuation of the Part 1 class above. Newcomers with a little experience are welcome. Focuses on practical conversation and basic language structure. Please obtain the text, Italian Made Simple by Cristina Mazzoni for class. Other handouts provided. Instructor Sylvana Serravezza is a native of Venice and teacher of Italian for many years at local universities and in Ridgefield Continuing Education. She has also been a marketing representative for an Italian company.

6 Sessions (9 hours.)       $ 130 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 116)
Wed., 4/29; 5/6, 13, 20, 27; 6/3 from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.


Italian: Intermediate / Advanced - Day and Evening - in Person
Prerequisite: A continuation from last fall. Newcomers with some background in the language's basic structure and comfortable with immersion are welcome. The course will cover vocabulary and basic grammar of this beautiful language, plus culture, food, travel, and topics of interest. Continue developing skills in listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Reading of a short story and independent weekly assignments to be presented and to be discussed by the class. Please obtain the text Advanced Italian Step-by-Step by Paola Nanni-Tate. Handouts provided. Instructor Sylvana Serravezza is a native of Venice and teacher of Italian for many years at local universities and in Ridgefield Continuing Education. She has also been a marketing representative for an Italian company.

8 Sessions (13.5 hours) $ 196 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 174)
Tue., 3/31; 4/14, 21, 28; 5/5, 12, 19, 26 from 6:15 to 7:55 p.m. AND 10 minutes extra on one of the sessions at Veterans Park School. NOTE: Mew time and location. No class 4/7.



Why Learn a Foreign Language? in Person? or Online with active Instruction and Participation?

Step away from a rote computer program and into live, active learning of a foreign language.

Absorb news as heard in another country.

Visit another country to see the sites, converse, eat, and enjoy the culture.

Use original genealogical sources.


European History, Meso Armerican Archaeology, American History and More!


Click here to view the European History and Local or American History and Meso American Archaeology classes below.



The Rise of Civilization in Meso America ~ the Teotihuacan, Mayans, Toltecs, Aztecs
3 Sessions $ 77 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 65)
Wed., 3/11, 18, 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Annex (66 prospect Street) + Zoom (hybrid)


European History


The Versailles Settlement
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)
Fri., 3/27 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.


World War II Series - from the Interwar Period to the Aftermath in Europe


4 Sessions = All 3 Classes Below

4 Sessions $79 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $68)
Fri., 4/17, 24; 5/1, 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.

or Purchase separately.


The Interwar Period
Depression, upheaval, appeasement, and the rise of fascism and communism characterized this era. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell.
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)
Fri., 4/17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.


World War II
It can be hard to believe that only twenty years after the horrors and devastation of World War I, and the lessons learned from it, the world went to war again.  Did the terms of the Treaty of Versailles indeed provoke this, or is there more to the story?  What was the appeasement policy of the 1930’s? An examination of these events as well as the stages, operations, and theaters of the war will help us understand how the very alliance that secured victory over the Axis powers evolved into the deadly arms race and threats of the ensuing Cold War. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell.
2 Sessions $41 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $35)
Fri., 4/24 and 5/1 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.


The Aftermath of World War II
Discussion topics include the Divided Germany, Soviet seizure of territories, and the Iron Curtain. Instructor: Nancy Maxwell.
1 Session $29 (Ridgefield Seniors and Disabled pay $25)
Fri., 5/15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Zoom.


Click here to view the European History and Local History and Meso American Archaeology classes above.

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