About Me
After years of searching for my place in the world, I realized I had to create something starting from my two vocations: language teaching-learning and human psyche.
This web site originated from these two passions. I wanted to create and share this virtual space with people who love or simply need to learn foreign languages, in particular Italian.
Who I Am and What I Do
Hello! I’m Martina, an Italian Language Teacher and Coach/Mentor. Above all, I am a passionate learner of foreign languages myself.
I pursued my studies in English and Spanish at D’Annunzio University of Pescara before earning my CEDILS certification at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
Discovering the field of Italian as a Second Language Teaching I felt like finding my true calling – my Ikigai. From the very first moment, I knew I had found the right path—a path that allowed me to help others who, just like me, are eager or need to embark on the language learning journey.
My journey wasn’t always easy. Being an introvert, I often struggled with shyness and felt insecure during the early years of my language studies. Taking on these challenges directly was a game-changer for me. It not only helped me grow personally but also strengthened my desire to help others who might be facing similar struggles.
I really value these experiences now and love using what I’ve learned to support others who might feel the same way.
During my teaching experience I have found myself naturally applying the language coaching and mentoring principles.
In my teaching, I integrate coaching and mentoring, holding a firm belief that these approaches should not be separate in education. As a teacher, I act as both coach and mentor, recognizing and respecting each learner’s unique capabilities, guiding them towards their own versions of success. After all, a teacher is an expert guide whose main task is to facilitate people to find and follow their own path.
I have defined myself primarily a foreign language learner because, in fact, we are all learners and we never stop being learners. Learning is a natural human activity. The crucial factor is for us to find our own way of learning.
When I’m not teaching, I indulge in my love for books and manga, movies, anime, and TV series. These activities not only enrich my personal life but also continually spark my enthusiasm for discovering new foreign expressions and words. Needless to say, whenever the opportunity arises, I adore traveling and exploring new places, customs, and cultures.
Curious about how my approach can transform your language learning experience? Keep reading to explore more and join me on this enriching journey.
My Approach
A Customised Approach to Learning Italian: How I Integrate Language Coaching and Mentoring into My Teaching
In the vast world of language learning, each student is unique—with their own goals, learning styles and motivations. That is why, in my role as Italian language teacher, I have chosen to adopt an approach that goes beyond mere didactics: a personalised mix of coaching and mentoring.
Let’s find out how this approach could transform your Italian language learning journey, shall we?
What Does it Mean to Integrate Coaching and Mentoring?
Humans love to categorize and pigeonhole the world around them. It’s in our nature, we can’t help it.
However, when it comes to more abstract concepts such as mental processes, psychology, learning styles and teaching approaches, the issue becomes quite complicated. Just think how little we still know about the human brain and its workings. As enough, despite progress, the exact manner in which the brain processes complex thoughts, consciousness, or specific details of how information is stored and retrieved, remains largely mysterious.
Going into the specifics of what concerns the world of language learning, so many different approaches and methods have been theorized on language teaching over the years. Each of these has showed both advantages and disadvantages. As a matter of fact, depending on what one’s purpose is, together with a mix of other unique factors, there are methods more appropriate than others.
As far as I’m concerned, teachers cannot choose a method a priori. First we need to meet and get to know “our” learner(s) and only then can we put our expertise at their service, tailoring a “method” to their needs and character.
Definition of Coaching and Mentoring in the Language Context
Language Coaching: Language coaching focuses on improving a student’s specific language skills. This process is guided by the short-term goals the student wants to achieve, such as improving pronunciation, expanding vocabulary or preparing for a specific exam. The coach acts as a facilitator who helps to unlock the learner’s potential through motivated and customised techniques.
Language Mentoring: Unlike coaching, mentoring is concerned with developing a deeper, long-term relationship with the learner. The mentor provides support, advice and guidance based on their own experience, helping the student not only to improve their language skills, but also to navigate through the culture associated with the language and achieve a more complete and human understanding of the language itself and, above all, of their (intimate) relationship with the language and their-language-target-selves.
How do they complement each other?
As a matter of fact, I cannot explain nor describe exactly my approach, for, as I’ve already specified, methods and technique are tailored upon specific, unique, individual needs.
Anyway, I can provide some explanation about how language mentoring and language coaching may be integrated into my teaching.
Holistic Support: While coaching focuses on specific, tangible goals, mentoring adds a level of emotional and cultural support that helps students stay motivated and engaged in the long term. This integrated approach allows students not only to learn the language but also to connect with it on a more personal and meaningful level.
Practical Examples: During a lesson, I might use coaching techniques to address a specific grammatical or self-study difficulty, while using the remaining time to discuss the learner’s personal experiences with the language, offering advice derived from your experience as a mentor. This may include discussions on authentic ways of expressing yourself, cultural tips, or encouragement to overcome fear of speaking.
Benefits of this Integration
Adaptability: This approach allows me to tailor each lesson to the immediate needs of the student, but also to take into account their long-term personal and professional development.
Continuous Growth: Students who need this, can benefit from continuous growth that goes beyond language learning and includes the development of true intercultural competence. Or, learners experiencing some troubles accepting their-target-language-selves can learn how to overcome this impasse and reach their full potential.
Customizing Teaching
Active Listening and Initial Assessment
Active Listening: At the beginning of each course, I dedicate time to active listening and fully understand each learner’s level, learning needs, goals and preferences. This not only helps me to establish a trusting relationship – which is essential – but also to identify key areas to focus on during lessons.
Adaptation of Teaching Strategies
Selection of Material: Choosing, creating and integrating the most suitable teaching material is crucial. Depending on the individual case, I provide a differentiated set of learning materials and activities.
Specific Coaching Techniques
Short-Term Goals: I guide the learner to set short-term goals that are clear, measurable and achievable, allowing the learner to see tangible progress and keep motivation high.
Feedback and Mistakes: Making mistakes is not only natural, IT IS ESSENTIAL! I provide regular, constructive feedback that not only reinforces what the learner has learnt, but encourages them to reflect on their mistakes in a productive way.
Incorporating Mentoring for Long-Term Support
Ongoing Guidance and Support: As a mentor, I am available (wether and whenever needed or requested) to offer ongoing support, responding to doubts or concerns that arise along the way. This may include discussion of cultural challenges, advice on how to dive deeper into Italian culture, or strategies for maintaining interest in the language.
Autonomy Development: I encourage students to develop autonomy in their learning. I guide them in identifying resources, techniques and strategies that they can use autonomously, increasing their confidence and language competence.
Why Choose This Approach?
Adaptability to Different Needs
Customisation of Learning: My approach is ideal for those seeking a tailor-made learning path. No matter if you are an absolute beginner eager to take your first steps in the Italian language, or an advanced learner wanting to perfect your command of the language, the programme will be tailored to meet your specific needs and objectives.
Diversity of learners: This method is perfectly suited to both learners who need to prepare for a specific exam and those who learn the language for work, travel, or simply for personal passion.
Continuous and Long-Term Support
Beyond Lessons: Unlike a traditional language course, my approach offers ongoing support. I am always available to answer questions, resolve doubts or provide additional materials, ensuring that you are never alone in your learning journey.
Autonomous yes, alone never.
Personal Growth & Development
Development of Autonomy: The ultimate goal is to make you autonomous in your language practice. I teach techniques and strategies that you can use independently, increasing your confidence and ability to use Italian in any context.
Cultural Expansion: We delve not only into the language but also into Italian culture, offering a holistic view that enriches learning and makes the overall experience more rewarding.
In Conclusion
My mission is to help you transforming your journey of learning Italian into an enriching – and enjoyable – experience tailor-made for you.
I am here to show you how to fall in love with your-Italian-Language-Self… and enjoy your journey all along!
Are you ready to explore the Italian language in a way that truly reflects who you are?
Have a look at the available classes!
Not sure yet? Get in touch for more information through the form below!