ITAL 101Introduction to Italian Language 1
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Italian
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An intensive study of the fundamentals of Italian grammar and conversation.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
- Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- ITAL155 - Intensive Introductory Italian Language (0.50)
Leads to
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7520 | 15 / 40 | MW 10:00–11:20 |
| LEC 081 | 7515 | 65 / 130 | Online or by arrangement |
| LAB 101 | 7521 | 15 / 40 | W 12:30–13:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 081 | 7099 | 0 / 130 | Online or by arrangement |
| LEC 701 | 2643 | 28 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
85% liked it86% easy68% useful
From 68 ratings and 23 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This was certainly one of my favouirte courses. The material is presented in way that makes learning Italian both easy and enjoyable. Thic course is very heavily focused on memorizing verbs. However, the quizzes were fair, considering that a sample quiz was always provided in advanced. Participation is part of your mark in tis class, therefore, you must attend lectures. Nonetheless, I would highly suggest taking this class.
Dec 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Let me start off by saying yes, it is an easy course
However, you should always go to lectures
There are participation marks, and learning a language in person is best
Attend your labs, and do your weekly homework
30% of your mark comes from practice, take it seriously
If you pay attention in class, andNov 2016 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Listen to what almost every other review says: this class is actually hard. Expect biweekly TopHat homework, weekly online quizzes, weekly discussion posts and replies, three assignments (one written and two recorded oral assignments), an oral test, and a final online exam. The workload is much heavier than I expected for an A1 language elective.
What made me want to rip my hair out the most was the grading. I already knew some Italian before taking this course because I work with elderly patients in a predominantly Italian community, so I can hold a conversational-level discussion. However, on every oral assessment, I consistently lost significant marks because I didn’t pronounce every…Aug 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
As mentioned by the last review, it's a really cool and useful course. However, it's pretty workload heavy, with a lot of TopHat assessments (payed online learning website/app). That with the weekly discussion posts, it's a pretty heavy feeling course.
Dec 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
took it with Gianmarco Bocchi. Overall workload is HEAVY as an elective. And the grading system here is very strict. This was supposed to be a bird course. I have spent more time on this class than on my physics class. I do not recommend this class as a bird course, especially not when taking it with Gianmarco Bocchi.
Jul 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
28 posts and comments in 20 threads mention ITAL 101, September 2015 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2023
HLTH 410 ,ITAL 101, and ITALST 265 help 0 points, 1 comment
u/New-grad-55: “Hello, I was wondering for those who took HLTH 410 ,ITAL 101, and ITALST 265 how was it in terms of difficulty as well as any information regarding the course breakdown too. Any information helps.”
u/anaeyouk122: “I dropped ITAL 101 this semester because I found out that there was a final exam, but seems like there wasn't one last semester.”
Online Fall 2023 BirdCourses 0 points, 1 comment
“Hello Aside from CLAS104, what are some online bird courses (preferably offered in Fall 2023)?”
u/BattlestarGalacticum: “A language course like ITAL101 or SPAN101, you can try RS121, but I’ve heard it’s not super birdy. ECON101/102, or CLAS 201/202”
Taking a language course as a fluent speaker 12 points, 19 comments
“This prob has been asked a couple times, but am I allowed to take a language course when I'm already fluent in the language? …”
u/BattlestarGalacticum: “I speak Italian (Calabrian - so a dialect) and I took ITAL101, taking ITAL102 rn. Just rushed every assignment and ended with a 94, never had to take a test or anything. Not sure about korean or chinese since a lot of students here speak it they might do a placement test. …”
Fall 2022
Span 101 vs Ital 101, which is better? 2 points, 6 comments
u/notreallysureayt: “What are the breakdowns for each and which would be easier to get a decent grade in? And is more enjoyable? And is less work? Span seems to have in person lectures so does that mean in person exam?”
u/n5234ad99: “… I'm attaching an image of the exact grade breakdown we used for the past 3 semesters of online ITAL 101. …”
u/Jshamlay: “Span 101 is really cool learn lots, fun course, not too difficult profs are amazing i love Annik and Jorge i can’t speak for Ital 101 but for span 101 would recommend 10/10”
Should I take beginner language course (ITAL 101) in person or online? 2 points, 4 comments
u/LordHylian95: “For anyone who has taken this course or any other 101 language courses, is it easier to learn/get a higher grade in person or would I fine taking it online? Heard mixed opinions from the few people I've asked. Thanks :)”
Spring 2022
All of you who compare difficulty of degrees are just stuckup and pretentious 453 points, 110 comments
“There was a post recently comparing how CS has lower workload than engineering. I commented saying that it's pointless to compare those degrees when in reality they are both hard degrees. …”
u/mangoman2316863: “… In my last 3 semesters of CS, i have taken ital101, PACS302, Geog101, and Sci206. There has genuinely not been a single term up until 2B where I had more that 3 courses that weren’t birdies. …”
Winter 2022
ITAL 101 easiness with Andrea Privitera 3 points, 3 comments
u/Whateverloo: “I can’t find anything on her, but how would you describe this online course taught by her? She taught last term too but no reviews. Plz help. Idk if i should keep it or take an easier elective. I have Senioritis.”
Spring 2020
needing advice from Biochem/Chem/Science Majors 5 points, 20 comments
“Heyo I've just accepted to Waterloo's Biochemistry Co-op Program, but after reading the reviews here and looking at the course content I think its way above my skill level, what with the 5 courses …”
u/procrastinating_rn_: “I'm in honours chem and for the first year and a bit we take pretty much the same courses as biochem majors! The only difference is that honours doesn't take any of the biology courses. …”
u/procrastinating_rn_: “… I've taken CLAS 104, a greek mythology course that's known for being super easy (it was actually quite fun too!) and ITAL 101 (intro Italian) which definitely helped out my GPA. …”
Fall 2019
opinions on ital 101? 3 points, 2 comments
Spring 2019
Unpopular opinion: UW improved my mental health and self-esteem. 74 points, 96 comments
[deleted]: “What program are you in though Edit: I creeped and found you're in Arts. Kind of explains it all Edit 2: ok since people are getting all pissy about this, let me explain. …”
u/Anomander: “… I spent two weeks in Italy after high school and took Ital 101 & 102, so I’m a qualified expert observer of Italian culture and society. /s. Nope! Deliberately. …”
Courses to bump up my average? 1 point, 15 comments
“Are there any courses that I can get 90+ with fair amount of effort?. Say some courses are super easy but less likely to get 90+. …”
u/sonofaturkey: “… I took intro Italian (ital101) in 4th year to boost my average for grad school. Super easy course and got 97 with little effort (disclaimer: I took a similar course In highschool but forgot most of it). …”
u/-MrGoose-: “Courses mentioned in this thread: ITAL101 CS452 CLAS104 ECON101 SPAN101 ACTSC221 CS100”
Spring 2018
dutch 101 quizzes?!?! 0 points, 3 comments
u/hwasale: “Does anybody know how the dutch 101 quizzes are like with Margreet Mohle? The first quiz is coming up and I was wondering how it is compared to other language courses like FR 151 and ITAL 101. Thanks!!!”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them