Expert German & Italian Tutor | 11+ Years Experience | Tailored Exam, Business & Casual Lessons | London & Online

Find out more about Maria

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

  Italian is my native language as I was born in Turin, in the north of Italy, and I have studied German at university up to a proficient level. I have always been fascinated by people who could fluently speak more than one language. At school, I developed an interest in languages and was inspired by my English teacher to study modern languages at the university, so I ended up learning not just English, but also German!

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

  Dante Alighieri was one of the greatest poets of all time, and his work made a huge contribution to defining the Italian language as we know it today. His masterpiece 'The Divine Comedy' is famous all over the world and has been a source of inspiration for countless artists for almost seven centuries.

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

  I like the expression 'dolce far niente' (literally 'pleasant idleness'), which refers to our habit of relaxing and enjoying a moment without worries. This philosophy is about having fun without having to do anything in particular, for example just enjoying a sunset with your friends, chatting, or even in silence while drinking a glass of good wine or eating delicious food.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  I love my native language as I think it's quite evocative, words carry a lot of meaning in them, and everyone says it sounds lovely. It's absolutely a pleasure to teach. I also love speaking German because I like the sound of it, despite some people claiming it's harsh. I couldn't disagree more: I can feel the musicality of the language and I have enjoyed learning it as I found its structure fascinating, as is the culture behind it.

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

  For Italian, I think the pronunciation may be slightly difficult at first, but this is something that can be easily overcome with practice. For both Italian and German, some students may find grammar rules challenging at first (especially when it comes to deciding which article to use in Italian or understanding the German case system), but don't worry: my method allows students to discover grammar rules for themself step by step and in the easiest way possible so that they are soon understood and internalized with constant practice.

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

  As a child, I wish I knew English so that I would have been able to understand the lyrics of the English songs that were (and still are) so popular in Italy. Then at school, I only had the chance to study French first (which by the way, is a lovely language too!). However, I tried to teach myself by translating the lyrics of my favourite English songs, before I ever attended my first English class. This was a huge help and I kept translating lyrics even when I reached a higher level of English. I recommend this approach to anyone learning a language: it's a fun way to learn and enables you to come across particular phrases and words you wouldn't normally find in traditional textbooks.

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

  After studying German at university, I spent a trimester in Frankfurt to attend a translation course and perfect my language skills. This was a great experience as I had the chance not only to have a deeper knowledge of the country and get a taste of German culture but also to meet new people and grow as a person.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  With over 5000 hours of tutoring experience over the past 8 years, I can quickly understand what my student's needs and strengths are and I start from these to prepare tailored, stimulating lessons. I also create a relaxed and enjoyable environment for my students, in a face-to-face lesson as well as online. It is very exciting to have the chance to make a difference in my student's lives (as languages have made a difference in my life!), by teaching them something that can really open their minds to new worlds.