A Comprehensive Guide
This is a short summary of what I've been developing in the last two years.
Please, make sure to check it out before considering working with me.
Below you'll find 14 minilessons to learn faster while enjoying the process :)
Introduction
Traditional classes have long been the norm in language teaching, but my experiences have shown me that true learning happens outside the classroom. This led me to adopt a different approach focusing on self-study, motivation and learning techniques.
Why Traditional Classes Aren't Effective
Many students, including myself, retain information better through self-study and practical application.
I probably retain no more than 15% of what I hear during a live lesson, which is much more tiring than an "exercise session".
What do I get? I get out very tired and with tons of notions to catch up with.
Traditional classes often lead to information overload and don’t accommodate individual learning paces.
If you limit formal classes and focus on self-study, you engage more deeply and effectively with the material - and ultimately you learn better and faster.
The Role of the Teacher
A teacher’s true value lies in inspiring motivation, accountability and helping make your learning faster and smoother.
In my personal experience, I can have the best teacher ever, but if it doesn't "click" from the human point of view, I'm going to feel extremely discouraged and lacking motivation.
My goal is to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable and motivated to learn.
I also use the students’ native language for explanations to ensure clarity and efficiency, because I'm well aware that language classes are not the only thing we have to do in our lives.
I teach languages by consistently referring to your native language, even at advanced levels.
This helps you better understand the specific aspects of the target language.
If you have a life outside the class, it's easy to lose attention while you have to carry on a burden of unclear information for several minutes just because it is in a language you cannot understand.
The Importance of Regular Practice at Your Own Pace
Self-study is essential—it’s where the real learning happens, not just during class.
I provide weekly exercises that include speaking tasks and occasional grammar practice to help you build your skills effectively. By using technology like WhatsApp for voice message feedback, I ensure you can practice consistently and at your own pace.
I encourage you to focus on practicing at times when you feel most alert to integrate language learning into your daily routines.
I’ve personally experienced how circumstances can impact learning.
When I was an intern, I had time to rest before class, which made a world of difference.
Later, as a full-time employee, I had the same schedule, teacher, and classmates, and worked the same distance from my language school. However, I often arrived at class exhausted, with no time to recharge between work and lessons.
Many times, I left with a splitting headache and had no energy to review my notes afterward.
This is why I emphasize self-paced learning that works with your energy levels and lifestyle, ensuring you make consistent progress without burnout.
Free Crash Course
1 - Language Learning for Busy ... Freelancers, but it's valid for everybody ;)
Whether you’re managing full-time freelance work or balancing client deadlines, this session offers a flexible “third way” that combines the best of live interaction and automated learning to help you achieve fluency faster.
2 - The Learning Pyramid
"Yeah, but language learning should also be seen as a journey, it's pleasant...".
Many language teachers fail to optimize the learning experience. When you're investing time and a bunch of money, you deserve results.
3 - The Marie Kondo Approach to Language Learning
Let's explore how Marie Kondo's famous "spark joy" concept can make your language learning process a better experience - especially if you're not fond of it :)
4 - Why Regular Practice Beats Intensive Cramming
I recently reflected on this topic during conversations with my students. Time management plays a crucial role in language learning.
5 - Memorize Without Realizing
When I was 12 or so I used to get so overexcited about the languages I was learning that I would repeat some texts until I had fully memorized them. It used to happen totally unconsciously, but I was baffled by its effectiveness. Especially because I *HATE* repeating things out loud or memorizing as a whole.
6 - The Power of Breaking Down Words
I've luckily grown up in a household where one person was pretty fond of etymology (the science of analyzing the origin of words). This made me supercurious about it and I hadn't finished my primary school yet when I asked for an etymological vocabulary of Italian as a Christmas gift.
7 - Grammar's Revenge
One of my current students who has learnt Italian “naturally”, grasping words and sentences here and there, a bit of help from translators and vocabulary, and so on…
8 - Two Cents about Listening
If someone lives in a place and is quite surrounded by a certain language, listening improves almost naturally, but I have a question.
9 - Why Using Voice Messages
Every month I am more and more convinced that the potential of voice messages for language learning is terribly underrated.
10 - AI Tools and My Language Journey
Through the years I’ve ended up hating traditional live classes so all the ‘AI’ things have become my saviour - every day more and more. I've realized that in a lot of my experiences they were time-consuming, often irrelevant, and frankly, a bit boring.
11 - The Limitation of Language Apps
I think I installed at least Babbel, Duolingo, Mondly, and maybe even Busuu. I probably installed and uninstalled some of them multiple times. But none survived on my phone.
12 - Focus on Each Skill
Let's see skill per skill how we can make practically learn better and more effectively
13 - Socializing Abroad
Life as an immigrant can be tough. Without any social contact with the place you live in, it can be even tougher. The choice is yours.
14 - Emotions and Language Learning
Have you ever wondered why some foreign words stick in your memory while others slip away? The secret might lie in your emotions.