This session offers an in-depth look at beginner-level courses (ITAL 101 & 102) on the Italian in Wonderland Open Education platform. This new platform uses a holistic teaching and learning approach as it integrates Italian language and culture and offers instructors and students up-to-date, authentic, culturally rich materials. This platform provides learners opportunities to take an active role in their learning, creating great potential to motivate them to continue to learn Italian in the upper division levels. Presenters will address the advantages and challenges of developing and implementing an open-education platform for beginners, highlighting how these courses differ from intermediate offerings (ITAL 201 & 202) in content, structure, and focus. Discussion points will include approaches to integrating language and culture, selecting authentic materials, using various text genres, and identifying the key distinctions between beginner and intermediate instruction.