About Me
Ciao! I’m Serena — Italian Teacher, Author & Storyteller
My Vocation
I create Italian learning content for English-speaking adults who want to learn Italian the smart way, through stories, not drills.
I believe language learning is a lifestyle choice, not a 3-month pastime. I design everything with that in mind, to make Italian doable, enjoyable, and possible for adults at every stage of their journey.
My graded readers, e-magazine, and podcast are all built on one simple idea: comprehensible input works. When you read and listen to Italian at the right level, you absorb vocabulary, grammar, and real Italian culture naturally, without the overwhelm.
Why I started italianpills.com
When I first began teaching Italian online back in 2016, I noticed that most learners struggled with disorganized resources and overly complex explanations. That’s why I created italianpills.com, a space for English-speaking learners who wanted clear, no-nonsense Italian without the overwhelm.
What started as a grammar blog has grown into a full Italian learning platform trusted by over 10,000 subscribers worldwide. I’ve published Italian short stories and graded readers with over 25,000 copies sold on Amazon, and in 2024 I launched Piazzetta Italiana, a quarterly Italian e-magazine for intermediate learners who want to connect with real Italian culture.
I’m a certified Italian teacher (University of Venice), a linguist by training, and someone who has personally learned more than six languages, so I know firsthand what works for adult learners, and what just wastes your time.
My Journey
From Teacher to Author and Founder
Here’s how I got here — from language student to language teacher, and from blogger to e-magazine publisher. Every step has been shaped by my love for languages, travel, and helping others unlock the beauty of mastering a foreign language.
2013
2014
2013–2022
Taught Italian as a foreign language in the UK, Spain, Slovakia, and Japan — both online and in-person
2016
Launched this blog on a gloomy, snowy winter day while living and working in Bratislava, Slovakia
2022
Published my first short story, Due Amiche e Un Album di Fotografie, set in my beloved Italian Alps, to help learners build vocabulary through engaging, story-based context
2025
Founded Piazzetta Italiana, a quarterly Italian e-magazine designed to connect intermediate learners with contemporary Italian lifestyle and culture in simple, natural language
2026
Launched Piazzetta Italiana Podcast in Slow Italian and Paguro Languages, a publsihing house cerating graded in European languages
2010–Present
I’ve learned six foreign languages to various degrees — and plan to pick up a few more before I die! As you can tell, my job is also my passion.
