Private Italian teacher · Rome and online
Bespoke Private Italian Classes in Rome and Online
Speak Italian with structure, guidance, and real accountability.
You understand a lot, you know the rules, and yet when it’s time to speak, the words don’t come. The problem is rarely talent or motivation: it’s the lack of a structure and of someone who holds you accountable between one class and the next. That’s what my bespoke private Italian classes are built on: every program is designed around your level, your goals and your schedule.
Certified teacher (University of Venice) · Teaching online since 2016 · Based in Rome · Author of the Italian Pills graded readers
10 years
teaching Italian online
7
languages I speak
4
countries I’ve taught in
30,000+
copies of my graded readers sold
Who it’s for
Is this for you?
These classes are for committed adult learners, especially intermediate and advanced students (from A2+ to B2 and beyond) who feel stuck (here’s why so many learners get stuck at B1). I’m not accepting beginners at the moment.
A great fit if you…
- have hit a learning plateau and want to move forward
- have a strong commitment to speaking Italian well
- want someone to hold you accountable
- are happy to do homework before every lesson
- want conversation, with grammar that serves your speaking
Accountability
What accountability means in my classes
Most courses focus on what happens during the lesson. But real learning happens outside the lesson, when you spend time with the language on your own. My job is to make sure that time actually happens, and that it’s well spent.
1
Clear tasks, real deadlines
Before every class you get a short, focused assignment with a deadline. No guessing what to study.
2
Corrections and feedback
I correct your homework, polish your mistakes and tell you exactly what to work on next.
3
Progress you can see
I keep track of where you are on the CEFR scale, so you never feel lost or overwhelmed.
The method
How the structure works
A flipped-classroom method: you prepare before the lesson, so we can use the lesson to speak.
Before
You prepare
Listen to an audio, read a short story, write a short text with new vocabulary or do targeted grammar exercises.
During
We speak
We use what you prepared in real conversation. I coach you on your mistakes and answer your doubts.
After
You consolidate
You get corrections, lesson notes and your next task. Every class builds on the previous one.
Materials
The materials I use
Every assignment is chosen for you, from a selection of materials I trust. Everything is designed to give you the best possible experience: real Italian, at the right level, that you actually enjoy.
My podcast
Episodes of Piazzetta Italiana, the slow Italian podcast, about life in Italy today, in clear and natural Italian.
Piazzetta Italiana
Articles and stories from my Italian learning magazine, with vocabulary and exercises.
Short stories
My graded readers, written for learners like you, with audio and vocabulary in every chapter.
Top-notch textbooks
The best Italian textbooks on the market, like Nuovo 1, 2, 3… Italiano! (Hoepli), used selectively for grammar, vocabulary and exam preparation.
Your path
A clear path through the CEFR levels
My classes follow the Common European Framework of Reference, so you always know where you are and what comes next.
| Level | What we work on |
|---|---|
| A2 → B1 | telling stories in the past, giving opinions, connectors that make your speech flow, your first subjunctive |
| B1 → B2 | arguing a point, the subjunctive and conditional in real conversation, idioms and more precise vocabulary |
| B2 → C1 | nuance and register, formal and informal Italian, complex sentences, sounding natural rather than just correct |
Format
How the classes happen
In Rome or on Zoom
In person in Rome, by application, or online on Zoom or Teams: all you need is a reliable connection and a laptop.
A fixed weekly slot
For example, every Monday at 9 am, so Italian becomes a habit.
40-minute classes
Focused classes, plus lesson notes, tailored worksheets and email support.
In person
Bespoke private Italian classes in Rome
I live in Rome, and I accept a very small number of students for bespoke in-person private Italian classes in the city. Same method, same structure and accountability, with one big bonus: you learn Italian where it’s spoken, and you use it the moment you step out of the lesson.
In-person places are very limited and available by application only, after your assessment. We’ll discuss schedule and fees for Rome during the assessment.
Plans
Programs and investment
I work with a small number of students at a time. The more regularly we meet, the lower the price per class: $129 for a one-off 50-minute class, about $105 per 40-minute class with the Signature Program and under $100 with the Immersion Program, which asks for a three-month commitment because that’s the time it takes to see real, lasting progress.
Flexible
One-off class
$129
per class
- one private 50-minute class
- focused on exactly what you need
- no commitment
Steady progress
Signature Program
$420
per month · no minimum commitment
- 4 private classes per month (40 min)
- pre-class assignments with deadlines
- corrections and personal feedback
- tailored material, notes and email support
Fastest progress
Immersion Program
$780
per month · 3-month minimum
- 8 private classes per month (40 min)
- everything in the Signature Program
- twice the speaking time
- priority scheduling
Bespoke private classes in person in Rome are offered by application only.
Small groups
Small-group Italian classes
Prefer to learn with others? A few times a year I organize small-group classes with the same structure and accountability as my private programs, and places are very limited. Join the waitlist and you’ll be the first to know when they open.
Compare
Structured 1:1 classes vs other ways to learn
| Apps | Group courses | Conversation tutors | My 1:1 classes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal feedback | no | limited | yes | yes |
| Homework with corrections | no | sometimes | rarely | always |
| Clear CEFR path | partly | yes | rarely | yes |
| Someone holding you accountable | no | limited | rarely | yes |
| Speaking time | very little | little | a lot | a lot, prepared |
Your teacher
Ciao, I’m Serena!
I’m a teacher of Italian as a foreign language, certified by the University of Venice, and I’ve been teaching Italian online since 2016, mainly to adult English speakers. I’ve taught in Japan, the UK, Slovakia and Spain, both online and in person.
I’m a polyglot and a lifelong language learner, so I know exactly what it takes to master a language as an adult, especially with a busy life. I’m also the author of the Italian Pills graded readers.
- You will never be left alone. You get guidance and meaningful feedback every week.
- Every student is a different world. I help you find your best way to learn.
- Enjoyment is the key. You master what you enjoy learning.
“I don’t just teach you Italian. I share with you a creative and effective method to learn any foreign language.”
Reviews
What my students say
Serena turns my mistakes into dynamic learning opportunities by coaching me during our conversations without interrupting them. Serena is a language coach. Her style is adapted by my needs, unlimited by textbook learning and unnecessary memorization.
Aldo, Washington · Lawyer
Serena is extremely prepared and thorough with varying topics and mini-lessons within the lesson. Her lessons are fun and delightful!
Wendy, Florida · Real estate
Serena doesn’t only teach Italian in a most professional way but she also knows how to trigger one’s deepest passions for this incredible, colourful and flowery language.
Sari, Israel · University student
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do bespoke private Italian classes with Serena work?
They are 1:1 classes, in person in Rome or online on Zoom or Teams, 40 minutes long, at a fixed day and time. Before each class you complete a short assignment, which I correct, and we use the lesson to speak and work on your mistakes. Each program is built around your level, goals and schedule.
What does accountability mean in Italian classes?
It means you get tasks with deadlines, corrections and regular feedback, so you keep studying between lessons. Real progress happens outside the class, and accountability makes sure it actually happens.
Do you teach beginners?
Not at the moment. My classes are designed for committed intermediate and advanced learners, from A2+ to B2 and beyond, who feel stuck and want a clear structure to reach the next level.
How much do private Italian classes with Serena cost?
A one-off 50-minute class is $129. The Signature Program (4 classes per month) is $420 per month with no minimum commitment, and the Immersion Program (8 classes per month) is $780 per month, with a 3-month minimum. Program classes last 40 minutes; a one-off class lasts 50 minutes.
Do you offer private Italian classes in Rome?
Yes. I’m based in Rome and accept a very small number of students for bespoke in-person private classes, by application only.
Do you offer group Italian classes?
Yes, a few times a year, with very limited places. Join the waitlist on this page to be the first to know when the next group opens.
How do I start?
Book a 1:1 assessment. We evaluate your level, talk about your goals and your schedule, and I recommend the right program for you.
Get started
Ready to stop being stuck?
Places are limited, because every student gets real, personal attention. Start with a 1:1 assessment of your Italian and let’s see where it can go.