Speak Italian from your very first lesson with a qualified native Italian tutor from Bologna – conversation, grammar, culture and exam preparation

Find out more about Elena

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I am an Italian mother tongue, born in Bologna, Italy. Growing up in the countryside of the fascinating Po Valley, surrounded by the diverse Italian accents and regional cultures of my family, I developed a deep connection to my native language. My passion for Italian language and literature was instilled in me by my mother and grandmother, both avid readers. My grandmother was a teacher and she also taught Italian to foreign people.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  Dante Alighieri, the father of the Italian language, played a crucial role in the development and popularisation of Italian. (I can't tell how much I loved studying Dante's Philology and Criticism course at university!). His masterpiece, "Commedia" (later named "Divina Commedia” - “The Divine Comedy"), achieved tremendous success and widespread circulation. With it, the Florentine dialect, the language used to write the poem, became highly popular and eventually served as a model for the modern Italian language. This linguistic unity emerged centuries before the establishment of Italy as a unified country.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behaviour in the language that you particularly like?

  With its vowel-rich sounds, the Italian language is renowned for its musicality, melodic and rhythmic qualities. Italian is an extraordinarily rich language, filled with expressions and words that capture the deepest shades of human emotions. Italian possesses the power to evoke vivid images and profound sensations, as Italian art does.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Italian matters to me because it's my native language: it gives my soul a voice, translating my inner world into words. Furthermore, despite Italy's diverse regional cultures and local dialects, speaking Italian enables me to communicate with anyone, anywhere in my country. Italian is the unifying link among Italic populations, carrying our shared history and expressing our common roots like a golden thread weaving our national identity.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  It can vary from person to person, but one of the key difficulties is mastering the grammatical structure of the language. For example, Italian has a more complex verb system compared to other languages and can be challenging for non-native speakers. Here are a few tips I always give to my students:
  * Exposure to the authentic Italian language: surround yourself with Italian as much as possible.
  * Practice speaking: actively engage in conversations with native Italian speakers.
  * Utilise multimedia resources
  * Regular practice
  * Immerse in Italian culture
  * Patience and persistence
  * Book a lesson with me; I'll tell you more and guide you!

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  My grandmother taught me the alphabet when I was 4; as soon as I learnt how to write it, I started creating funny words by writing letters randomly and asking her to read them. Oh, it was so funny! I slowly learned to read, but my grandmother guided me with patience and persistence. Years later, I discovered my passion for grammar and writing, and I found myself helping others, and now I teach Italian professionally.

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I travelled almost all around Italy, listening to its many different dialects. This exposure deepened my understanding of the language's regional variations, idiomatic expressions, and pronunciations. In addition, visiting historical sites and museums, tasting local cuisine and walking through cities provided an immersive experience, which enhanced the cultural understanding of my country. Such experiences are also valuable for my students, as I offer a unique and authentic perspective on the language and the culture it represents.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I have a strong foundation in the language I teach, including a deep understanding of its grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context. Besides being an Italian native speaker, I have acquired this expertise through formal education, extensive study, and practical experience by working with students of various ages, backgrounds, and levels. This has allowed me to tailor my lessons to my student, adapting my teaching approach and the studying and working materials to meet individual needs. I am patient and supportive and genuinely desire to see my students succeed; as a dedicated language tutor, I engage in continuous professional development to stay updated with the latest teaching methodologies, resources, and advancements in language learning. Indeed, I am taking the TIAFL (Teaching Italian As a Foreign Language) certification at the Italian Cultural Institute of London to give my students the best experience possible