My name is Maria. I was born in Catania, Italy.

I live in Italy at the moment and I lived many years in the Unites States.

I love languages, photography, wellness and fitness, nature and animals.

In Italy I studied foreign languages and literatures and I worked as office, sales and customer service assistant I lived for many years in the United States, on the East Coast and then in California. I studied herbology and Massage Therapy. I worked in the wellness industry and then in customer service in finances. Always in contact with different kind of people, cultures, and personalities.

I love languages, their unique sounds and souls, and I love teaching. For this reason I have always been teaching. I am currently in Italy.

Both my studies and practice of the English language in an international environment gave me skills in comprehending people who have different linguistic, personal and cultural backgrounds. I have privately taught English and Italian to children, teenagers, young adults, adults and very wise people.

Having a conversation in actual Italian with students who could only say -or mispronounce, "pizza, amore, pasta and spaghetti" is a great satisfaction and something I am thankful for. I help my student pass a school exam, a proficiency test, I help them get ready for a job interview, I teach them how to pronounce their favorite songs and talk about their favorite Italian painter. I help them get in touch with their roots and I help them learn to speak to their Italian family members and friends. I help them feel more prepared and confident so that they can enjoy and get the best out of their special trip abroad. I just love to help. :-)

I am very pleased to find here people who enjoy learning and communicating.

My teaching experience is growing everyday thanks to my wonderful students!

My approach is flexible. I like my students to have a good time while they are engaging their brains so I use a combination of methods.

A general plan includes pronunciation, reading comprehension, conversation, grammar drills. The material used also reflects the student's interest and specific needs. I like to include a variety of topics especially related with the Arts: literature, movies, dance, music, etc.

Files and internet links will be used to complement lessons.

For absolute beginners the focus is on sounds, basic vocabulary / phraseology, and basic grammar.

Paced and casual conversations will help to comprehend and identify grammar patterns.

For my lessons I use Skype - ONLY audio and chat, NO webcam. The audio only allows great focus on the language listening and comprehension.

I look forward to teach and learn from you!

Mi chiamo Maria.

Sono nata e cresciuta in Italia. Ho vissuto molti anni negli Stati Uniti e adesso sono in Italia

Ho studiato lingue e letterature straniere in Italia ed ho lavorato come corrispondente estero in una compagnia italiana.

Ho vissuto per molti anni negli Stati Uniti, sulla costa Est e poi in California. Negli Stati Uniti ho perfezionato lo studio della lingua inglese ed ho studiato fitoterapia e massoterapia. Ho quindi lavorato nel campo del benessere e in seguito anche nel campo della finanza per alcuni anni. Amo coltivare le mie passioni tra cui le lingue straniere ed è per questo che insegno privatamente italiano e inglese da molti anni. Insegno a persone di tutte le età. Aiuto i miei studenti a sentirsi più sicuri nei loro viaggi all'estero, a superare esami scolastici, a prepararsi per colloqui di lavoro o ad imparare a parlare con i propri parenti o amici o fidanzati nella loro lingua.

Mi piace preparare le lezioni tenendo conto dello studente, dei suoi progressi e dei suoi interessi, per cui uso ed integro diversi metodi.

Elementi di cultura, cinema, letteratura, costume, musica e arte in generale, da analizzare e discutere, sono spesso inseriti nelle lezioni con files o internet links.