About me
Ciao! My name is Gabriella. I am a qualified Italian Language (LS/L2) teacher. After obtaining CEDILS certification in teaching Italian as a foreign language from the Cà Foscari University in Venice, I began working with several language academies, cultural associations, and online language platforms. This paved the way for the development of my personal method of teaching Italian as a foreign language.
Working with students from all over the world on a daily basis, I noticed that everyone has a different approach to foreign languages. Using standard lessons or online resources for everyone is not the best way to teach a new language. We need to create ad hoc material and personalised lessons that make studying easy and fun. Learning a foreign language is extremely subjective and is influenced by age, determination, student experience, and—above all—motivation.
My university background and direct contact with different people and cultures, means that I understand the difficulties students face when learning a foreign language. Identifying native language interference during the learning process allows the right strategies to be implemented so that difficulties can be overcome and students can be made aware of what happens when they make a mistake.
Hence the idea behind Studia Viaggia Mangia: a personalised language teaching service through Italian traditions, culture and homestay.
I live in Pontecagnano, a small city near Salerno in Italy, which is nestled between the Amalfi and Cilento coast. Located in a breathtaking part of the Campania region, it is one of the most beautiful and evocative places in the world and is the perfect location for a memorable study holiday.
So, if you’ve decided to visit Italy but don’t know where to start or don’t speak the language and want to learn it… no problem at all, I can help you! Sign up for one of my courses and join me in Italy.
Why you should choose my homestay courses
1
I am Italian, and I deliver customised Italian homestay courses.
2
Precision and accuracy are two of my strengths.
3
Student satisfaction is key to my work.
4
I grew up in an Italian family that has been in the catering and hospitality industry since 1972.
5
Students taking my courses are motivated and feel at home.6
6
I am always willing to help others.
7
The search for new stimuli for my students is crucial.
8
I spend a lot of time planning my teaching activities.
9
I live my life with optimism and determination.
10
I am positive and sociable.
Competencies
What has life taught me so far?
I speak English (International English Language Certification, level C1 of the CEFR, French, Spanish, and some Arabic, and have a degree in Modern Languages and Literature, I have travelled a lot and lived and worked in London for seven years.
I am also a freelance copywriter, and marketing/PR consultant, with over 15 years’ experience in the cosmetics, sales and training industries. Aware of the importance of lifelong learning, I hold a strategic marketing qualification from the CIM Institute in London and a diploma in web marketing for tourism & hospitality.
Life is not a sprint but a marathon; the important things in life taketime and perseverance. You cannot learn a foreign language in a short period of time.
Determination is necessary to achieve our goals. Like when I took part in the Rome Marathon and the Orte Spartan Race: I was perfectly aware of how much effort and training was required.
It was tough but I got there in the end and reached the finishing line of both races.
We must “learn to learn“. Concentration is key to staying focused on your goal while passion, sacrifice, and commitment will take you to the finishing line.
Some of the skills and competencies, I have gained through employment and personal experience, are listed below:
- Email Marketing
- Analytical Thinking
- Creativity
- Negotiation
- Public Speaking
- Stress Management
- Cutting Costs, Brainstorming
- Data Analysis
- Benchmarking Analysis
- Social Media Marketing
- Leadership
- HubSpot, Google Analytics
- Organizational Skills
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Proactive
- Flexibility
- Teamwork
- Google AdWords
- Spreadsheets
- Quantitative Research
- Storytelling.
Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
In my life, I have travelled a lot, met different people and learned to appreciate cultural diversity. Every place has its own magic and embracing local traditions allows direct contact with the language and daily conversation practice.
Traveling makes people free, enriches the soul and opens the mind. Remembering my first trip abroad—first to Paris and then to London—always stirs up strong emotions. This is where my life changed and took a different path.
“We all know that travel is essential to a complete education. Traveling abroad teaches understanding of other people, culture, and communities; these types of experience offer young people a great ability to be successful in today’s global society”.
Michael Palmer
My travels
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in own language, that goes to his heart. “
Nelson Mandela
If you love traveling and want to learn Italian contact me and we’ll plan your course and your visit to Italy together.