My method

My Teaching Method

The approach I use to teach Italian—and the one I’ve personally followed for as long as I can remember—is inspired by the natural way we all learn our native language. Think about it: the language we’ve been speaking since childhood required no formal study in our very early years, and yet it became an integral part of who we are, more deeply rooted than anything else we learned later. From ages 0 to 5, we didn’t study books or rules; we simply lived immersed in a continuous linguistic environment, naturally perceiving, absorbing, and imitating the people around us.

This is precisely the core of my method: recreating an immersive, lively, and natural setting for learning Italian. Rather than relying solely on memorizing rules and vocabulary, my goal is to help you perceive, internalize, and truly “live” the language through immersive, dynamic, and authentic experiences.

Learning directly from a living linguistic context, just as we did when we were little, makes everything feel natural, intuitive, and profound. Conversely, if you learn primarily from books, rules, and a few contrived conversations, the language ends up feeling cold, abstract, disconnected from reality, and difficult to assimilate.

Generally speaking, it’s tough to remember something you haven’t directly experienced, because it becomes a memory exercise. The same applies to language learning: you need to live it in its natural context—feel it and experiment with it—so that over time you develop full awareness, making it easier to understand book-based material because you see it in action.

The method I use not only follows the natural principle of immersion, perception, and absorption, but also adds expert guidance to illustrate in detail the internal logic of Italian. This makes accessible all the various structures you often hear but can’t quite grasp, because you have little or no conscious awareness of them. This blend of real-world experience and logical-emotional analysis allows you to acquire the language naturally while also developing a solid understanding of how it works.

It’s an approach I’ve personally experimented with from a very young age. As a child, I was fascinated by communication because I loved interacting with people. Over time—be it while learning my own native language, teaching myself foreign languages, or through the daily language exchanges I engaged in for about seven years—I turned this once-abstract interest into a concrete, tested method, which now forms the foundation of the philosophy behind “LA BUSSOLA ITALIANA🧭🇮🇹.”

Unique Teaching Materials

Italian is a highly modular language. To make its complexity accessible, I’ve created over 70 exclusive PDF resources. Rather than reducing grammar to a list of rules to memorize, these materials approach it from logical and psychological perspectives, making it clear, intuitive, and above all spontaneous in everyday use. Each important element is highlighted with a specific color, and there are numerous practical examples illustrating how to put everything into practice. 

The Importance of Pronunciation

Understanding the dynamics of a language’s pronunciation, including its distinct sound and rhythm from the very beginning, is extremely important for truly connecting with it. A living language is first and foremost about “sound,” not written text. Each language has its own sound and rhythm, and if we insist on applying the standards of our native language to these aspects, it would be like asking any Italian to read a Chinese text written in pinyin: the pronunciation would likely be almost incomprehensible, and it might even elicit a laugh. Furthermore, without first learning the correct pinyin pronunciation, he would not be able to continue learning Chinese.

For this reason, I have created a unique mini diction course, which I consistently integrate throughout the entire learning process to help you understand the dynamics of Italian sounds and truly make them your own. This will make your learning experience much smoother, because it enables you to genuinely connect with the language you’re studying. We will carefully examine each characteristic together, and I will show you how native speakers achieve that fluid and natural sound, so that you, too, can learn to distinguish subtle nuances and speak with ease.

This allows you, right from the first few months, to pick up important details and information—both consciously and unconsciously—also through the auditory channel. This opportunity is denied to those who do not tune into the typical characteristics of the language. 

The value of conversation

I place great importance on mutual interaction—it’s something I simply can’t do without! I’m always curious to hear what you have to say, and I’ll answer your questions while noting down any words you don’t know and patiently explaining them to you. I suggest practical exercises, both individual and shared, such as imitating characters from exciting stories or singing songs together. All of this helps train listening, pronunciation, and conversation skills. We’ll have a lot of fun—you’re most welcome to join in!

Moreover, I help you build a linguistic environment that you can immerse yourself in even after our lessons, so that you can be exposed to real, living examples of the language whenever you like. This will help you make steady, long-term progress.

A Tailor-Made Path and Ongoing Support

I pay close attention to my students’ needs and their personal goals. Everyone has a place here, whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refine and perfect your abilities. Additionally, I provide continuous support outside of lessons as well, offering free answers to your questions and sharing advice. Learning a language is no less complex than any other significant life endeavor, and I’ll be by your side, as both your language guide and travel companion.

Passion and Dedication

For me, teaching is not just a job but a way of life. I support my students with great energy, and every bit of progress or milestone they reach is a source of joy for both of us. If you want to build a solid foundation, gain confidence in using Italian in your daily life, and discover how exciting learning this language can be, I’ll be happy to help you!

If you’d like to know more about my personal story and understand the origins of my passion for teaching, feel free to visit the page dedicated to my biography.

Learning Through Challenges: When context plays a crucial role (Personal Story) 

I have always been passionate about languages since a young age, but for some reason, English and French just didn't sit well with me in school; I felt them as a constraint. Most teachers gave us rules to memorize, complained when we didn't do our homework, and became irritated when someone asked them to explain something again. Many of us relied on fate. Fortunately, I also met good teachers worthy of their profession, whom I thank greatly and from whom I have taken inspiration.

In 2012, I began studying German as a self-taught learner. No one forced me to do it, and I was full of energy; I made progress very quickly. I did nothing but listen, research, and seek any opportunity to practice that language. After a year and a half, I attended a course.

Meanwhile, at school, my English (even though it's a simpler Germanic language) continued to be terrible, and I constantly risked accumulating academic deficiencies during the summer, for which I begged the teacher to spare me because it was already torture during the school year.

But then everything changed. Between the fourth and fifth year of high school, I took off! I have to thank a wonderful teacher, very compassionate, who realized our situation and, during her entire year as a substitute (the fourth year), did everything in her power to help those who wanted it. It was incredible: she had us start the program from scratch and then gradually accelerated as our understanding improved.

Right after the end of the fourth year, in the summer of 2014, I met another excellent teacher who held a summer course at the school during July. I decided to participate voluntarily, even though I was a bit hesitant at first. It was an invaluable experience! Two years later, after finishing school, I decided to attend a more advanced private course with her.

Another thanks goes to my cousin Cristina, who passed on her enthusiasm for English to me and dedicated time to me via Skype (at that time, she was living in New York). Together, we had lessons that had little or nothing to do with the school style, and they helped me remove that rigid block and reluctance I had developed toward the language.

Conclusion

Regardless of the level you wish to achieve, from intermediate to advanced, you will always find a teacher and a friend ready to help you! If you're ready to embark on this engaging and personalized learning journey, don't hesitate to contact me. Together, we can make learning Italian a rewarding and lasting experience.

Acknowledgments

A special thank you goes to my grandfather Edoardo, to whom an entire chapter should be dedicated. His support has been constant over time, and it would be difficult to define it in a few words. He always encouraged me to communicate in another language, travel, and have new experiences, and we shared together my first period of studying the German language, a language he loved as well. Infinite thanks 🫂❤️

Thank you to everyone who has helped me ❤️

And thank you, dear reader, for reading up to here 🤲🏻🤲🏻