Experienced and native Italian teacher offering entertaining and interesting lessons, helping you speak confidently!

Learn more about Silvia

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

  Italian is my mother tongue. I had never seen it as a resource before my literature studies at university and my traineeship as a teacher in schools.

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

  It's impossible for me to choose one character. Literature authors like Dante or D'Annunzio shaped our language. But today many others are representing it with pride and truthfulness. Roberto Saviano is maybe one of those who better understand my views as an Italian and especially Sicilian woman.

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

  Il dolce far niente, la dolce vita. The idea of enjoying life with just a little bit of sun, good food and good company.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  I find it a way to connect with the past. Learning italian teaches how linked with the whole world we were. How many ancient greek and latin roots we have but also all the French, German, English, Arabic influences.
  
  It shows that we cannot live without cooperation.

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

  Grammar is the main difficulty, as Italian speakers find it difficult sometimes too. It's helpful to find grammar everywhere while listening, reading or speaking. In this way you can learn the real purpose of every rule.

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

  I've studied English, French and German at school and I know how hard it can be. I made up words that sounded familiar so many times or switched English words for german and so on. Most of the time I feel like Paul Taylor, english comedian living in France:
  
  https://youtu.be/knXRHud5_Ao

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

  Living our culture everywhere, discovering new places, making connections, even small trips nearby or a simple museum visit allows me to learn more everyday about me, my language, my story and the country who shaped me.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I'd like to apply the dolce vita to my lessons. It's an aperitivo together, it's discovering our passions through a new language.