Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a degree-level student, we can tailor lessons to suit you! Some typical situations for our clients are listed below. Click each to get more information.
Absolute Beginner, looking to learn some Italian for a holiday
Italy is a beautiful place, Italian is a beautiful language, and being able to combine the two, can only make your holiday more enjoyable. I do get many students for “Holiday Italian”, and it is possible to gain enough to find your way around in approximately 10-15 lessons. We’ll go through some basic concepts, introductory grammar and vocabulary, and then expand into some dialogue and role-playing exercises. At the end of the course, you’ll have a good enough grounding to talk to locals while on holiday, and, importantly, use that grounding to learn a lot more while you’re there!
Businessperson, looking to learn pleasantries and greetings in advance of meetings with Italian clients
It’s comparatively rare for non-Italians to be able to speak the language, so making the effort to learn how to introduce yourself in their native tongue can go a long way! Basic pleasantries, and a little dialogue, can go a long way.
Second/third Generation Italian, looking to get back to your roots
I have had requests from English-speaking clients whose parents were Italian immigrants, but they themselves never properly learnt the language; or they want their children to learn the language, so that they can communicate with their cousins, aunts, and other relatives when they go back to visit. I can plan a series of lessons to build your conversational Italian, improve your grammar, and give you a lot more to say than just nodding and shrugging your shoulders when you next meet your relatives!
GCSE/A-Level student, wishing to revise and improve in advance of exams
It may be that your children are worrying about their revision or mock exam performance, and need to brush up on some weak areas. Or they’re feeling capable, but a fresh approach can help them really shine. In either case, some individual private tuition for your child can improve their abilities at a much faster pace than group lessons, give them a ‘real world’ perspective on the language and also renew interest and concentration, when it might be flagging. Naturally, having taught GCSE and A Level for two decades, I’m also very aware of the requirements of different UK examination boards.
College / University student, wishing to improve oral skills
By University, you’ve likely been to Italy several times, and have a very good knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. My most common request from University students is that they wish to improve their pronunciation, which is also something I can certainly help with.
In addition, some of my past students have had requirements I wouldn’t have foreseen myself:
- An English couple, wishing to learn basic Italian before embarking on a move to Tuscany
- A Doctor, wishing to improve their communication with his patients for whom Italian was a first language
- An Opera Soprano, wishing to learn the language that she would soon be singing!
- An American `Italianophile`, wishing to learn from absolute beginner to good conversational level for the first of many holidays