In this article
- Classes in English, Arabic and French
- Time Difference Between Italy and Cairo
- Fitting Classes Around the Italian School Week
- Sounds Italian Speakers Already Know, and Sounds That Are New
- A Learning Path
- A Weekly Plan by Age
- Learning Alongside the Local Mosque
- Your First Free Trial Class
- Prices and Payment
- Tips for Parents in Italy
- Start with a Free Trial Class
- Frequently Asked Questions
Muslim families in Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Naples and across Italy often look for a qualified Quran teacher for their children, but local options can be far away or available only on weekends. One-to-one online classes bring a certified teacher into your home by video, at a time that fits your family. This guide explains how online Quran classes work for families in Italy.
Classes in English, Arabic and French
Classes at Elbayan Academy are taught in English, Arabic and French. We do not teach in Italian. They suit Arabic-speaking families, children in international schools, and adults who understand English. Young children who speak mainly Italian can still learn to read the Quran, because most of the lesson is listening, repeating and correction. Read how teachers adapt for children who speak another language at home.
Time Difference Between Italy and Cairo
Italy uses Central European Time, and Cairo is usually one hour ahead. For a few weeks in spring and autumn, the two countries change their clocks on different dates, so the difference changes briefly. Classes run 24/7, and your teacher books lessons in your local time.
Fitting Classes Around the Italian School Week
| School timetable | Times that usually work |
|---|---|
| School ends around lunchtime | Mid or late afternoon |
| Full-time primary (tempo pieno), ending about 4 p.m. | Early evening |
| Schools with Saturday lessons | Sunday morning for review |
| Summer holiday | Extra classes to move faster or start Hifz |
Two 30-minute classes a week is a good start for most children. Short, regular lessons work better than one long class.
Sounds Italian Speakers Already Know, and Sounds That Are New
Italian helps children in some important ways:
- Shaddah: Italian has double consonants, as in “nonno” and “pizza”, so children already feel the difference a shaddah makes.
- ر (Raa): the rolled Italian r is close to the Arabic r.
- ش (Sheen): close to the sc in “scena”.
- Clear vowels: Italian vowels are pure, which helps with fatha, kasra and damma.
Sounds that need more practice:
- ه and ح: the Italian h is silent, so these letters are often dropped.
- ع, خ and غ: throat sounds that Italian does not have.
- ث and ذ: the “th” sounds, made with the tongue between the teeth.
- Heavy letters: ص, ض, ط, ظ and ق, read with the back of the tongue raised.
- Long vowels (madd): learners must practise holding them for the correct length.
A Learning Path
- Reading: the Noor Al-Bayan course for beginners of any age.
- Tajweed: the recitation and Tajweed course; for children see Tajweed for children.
- Memorization: Quran Hifz classes for kids or online Hifz classes.
- Arabic: Arabic for kids or Arabic for adults.
Families who read the Warsh narration can continue with it; teachers teach both Warsh and Hafs. Sisters can choose a female teacher through our women’s program.
A Weekly Plan by Age
| Age | Classes a week | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 | 2–3 | Letters and vowel marks, listening to and repeating short surahs |
| 9–12 | 3 | Reading the Mushaf fluently and the first Tajweed rules |
| 13+ | 3–4 | Tajweed, Hifz and Arabic |
| Adults | 2–4 | Reading, Tajweed or Arabic, at your own pace |
Learning Alongside the Local Mosque
Many families in Italy take their children to weekend classes at a local mosque or Islamic centre. Online one-to-one classes work well alongside them: the group class gives community and practice, while the private lesson gives each child time to read aloud and be corrected letter by letter. The teacher can follow the same surahs the child is learning at the mosque.
Your First Free Trial Class
The first class is free and needs no payment. Message us on WhatsApp with your city, the student’s age and level. The teacher checks the student’s reading and suggests a plan and timetable.
Prices and Payment
A 30-minute one-to-one class costs $5. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16, with 20% off annual plans and a 10% family discount for brothers and sisters. You can pay by PayPal, Visa, Mastercard or bank transfer. Prices are in US dollars, so your bank converts the amount to euros when you pay by card.
Tips for Parents in Italy
- Fix the days: choose days without sports or other activities.
- Keep a quiet corner: a headset helps the teacher hear every letter.
- Practise daily: 10 minutes of reading between classes.
- Read the monthly report together: celebrate progress and agree on goals.
Families elsewhere in Europe can read our guides for Spain, Germany and France, or see all guides by country.
Start with a Free Trial Class
Elbayan Academy teaches one-to-one, 30-minute online classes with certified teachers from Al-Azhar University, each holding an Ijazah with a connected Sanad. Female teachers are available, classes run 24/7, and you receive a monthly progress report. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16. Book a free trial class on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are classes taught in Italian?
No. Classes are taught in English, Arabic and French. Young children who speak Italian can still learn to read the Quran through listening, repetition and correction.
What is the time difference between Italy and Cairo?
Cairo is usually one hour ahead of Italy. Your teacher books classes in your local time.
Do Italian speakers find Tajweed hard?
Some sounds are new, such as the throat letters and heavy letters, but Italian double consonants and the rolled r give children a helpful start.
What age can children start?
Children can start one-to-one classes from 6 years old.
How much do classes cost?
A 30-minute one-to-one class is $5. Plans are $40 a month for 8 classes or $80 for 16, paid in US dollars.
