Graduated in Translation and Interpretation, I give courses and help you with your goals. I'm a native Italian and a bilingual French speaker. With me, learning will be simply fun and with no stress

Find out more about Chiara

• 1) Did you grow up speaking this language? Or were you inspired by a trip abroad, an individual or a certain aspect of the culture?

  I am a native Italian and I've always loved the grammar and the logic behind a language. That's why, when I moved to France, I became fluent and confident enough to give Italian lessons to French students. Nowadays, I live in Sydney and I am delighted to teach French and Italian to English speakers.

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

  Even if it sounds like a basic answer, for me, the historical character of excellence that can represent the magic of the Italian language and culture is Dante Alighieri. With his written chef d'oeuvres, he represents vivid imagery of his travels in a meticulous method that today is still interesting for understanding where most Italian words come from.

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

  In my language and culture, I like that our Italian gesture vocabulary is worldwide and becoming more and more iconic to foreigners. I believe it is a part of our heritage and not just "random movements": they're a real part of the language, which can add emotion, emphasise and clarify meanings, or even replace entire words. I am admiring the fact that they can help to engage with people and feel more connected and natural while speaking with Italians.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  It matters because it is part of me, part of my family and culture and traditions that I don't want to lose. Tutoring Italian abroad helps me to feel at home when I am not.

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

  It depends on from which language we start learning. For sure, grammar is a big important pillar to know and for some topics, it can be like maths. For me, the difficult part is the variety of meanings of a word and the context in which you use it. I suggest for these cases to do a lot of exercises and focus on mistakes and do them out loud repetitions with the students, to make the brain used to some sounds and structures.

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

  One recent anecdote during my tutoring class is when one of my elderly students (with an Italian background but born and raised in Sydney) talked to me in the Southern Italian dialect from a little town. I was surprised and it was unexpected and funny at the same time, also because it was a little difficult for me to understand this particular dialect.

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

  At home, I speak in French here in Sydney because of my partner, so every time that I meet another Italian, it helps me to keep the language updated. Especially when I go back home in Italy, I realise that my bilingualism is deep and I am losing my Italian vibes (I will never make it happen ahahah).