Italian classes for all levels, online or in person!

From 49.96 C$ /h

My lessons are a mix of conversational Italian and grammar explanations, with the aid of written and online resources to practice vocabulary and grammar. I typically start from the Italian words and expressions you might already know (everyone knows more Italian than they think!) and take it from there, with plenty of simulated scenarios where you get to speak like a native among natives (and I get to ridicule myself imitating all sorts of Italian people!).

When explaining a new topic, I like to encourage students to use their insight, nudging them when necessary. I have observed how even absolute beginners can easily guess the meaning of a new word or the way a certain word will behave, once certain patterns between and within Italian and English (and possibly other languages) are highlighted. When a student reaches the correct conclusion with just a little help, that is highly rewarding for both the student and the teacher!

For more advanced students, the focus is often on vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar nuances. I like to choose a topic together and subsequently bring a written text (like a newspaper article), from which to extract more specialised vocabulary, and which will serve as a basis for discussions and debates.

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At student's location :

Around Edinburgh, United Kingdom

At teacher's location :

Abbeyhill Crescent, Edinburgh, UK

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

I am a (native) Italian translator who has been living in Edinburgh for over 5 years. Last year I started venturing into the world of language teaching, and I have since taught to an array of different students, young and less young, total beginners and advanced, whether masters of many languages or embarking upon their first experience learning a new one.

During my university years, I taught Italian to adult migrants, as well as English and French to teenagers, and this experience prepared me for what I now do as a job. But while my teaching experience has helped me grow, it is my experience as a student of languages myself that has given me the opportunity to really understand which elements of a language can be tricky for students, and the tools to help students get through it in a way that is fun and intuitive.

While I (obviously!) truly believe in the value of learning a new language and I approach it with professionalism, I can’t resist the chance to make my students laugh or smile at the expense of my seriousness, and I try to find ways of teaching new things in an entertaining way (many a time I have now improvised myself as a rowdy fruit-seller in a Sicilian market, a polite waiter in a fancy restaurant, and a nosy barman that wants to know everything about your life). My priority is to build a nice, trusting relationship with my students, where taking your chances and making mistakes is an opportunity for growth and a good laugh, for both sides (no teacher is infallible!).

Education

High School Diploma in Psychology and Teaching Methodologies
Bachelor of Arts in Translation and Interpreting with Distinction
Master of Arts in Specialised Translation with Distinction

Experience / Qualifications

2-year experience tutoring young learners in English and French
1-year experience teaching Italian to adult migrants
Over 1-year experience teaching Italian in the UK to beginners and advanced adult students

Age

Preschool children (4-6 years old)

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes