Testimonials

Here’s what our students are saying…

Studying for CILS B1 Cittadinanza under Serena’s guidance has been a unique and rewarding experience. Serena is a warm, talented and thoughtful teacher, patient, optimistic, direct and funny.  Studying together is a pleasure.  She has encouraged me and stretched my level, focussing on the important details including grammar and the basics, and using imaginative and carefully crafted short stories to ensure the lessons are relevant and interesting.It has felt like a true partnership working towards the exam.  In short, she is the best, I highly recommend her!
Jane, MD – London 

Just sending a note to thank you for our lesson!
One thing I like a lot is even when I am busy with work and life, for our lesson I have to stop and concentrate on my Italian,  even if I have only a little time. I think that one finds success from hard work. But also I know that sometimes, success arrives more illusively by doing just enough work over time (going through the motions we say here). For our lessons, sometimes I am very prepared.  But…sometimes I am not prepared at all .  I am afraid that without my lesson, I might not practice enough to keep all I have learned. So thank you for your patience, guidance and flexibility!
Kelly, New York (May 2022)

Studying with Serena for the CILS B1 Cittadinanza was an absolute game changer for me. Our work together really focused my studying on the right things, as well as giving me tons of practice for the oral part of the exam. Serena is a great teacher, fun to work with, and is very knowledgeable and experienced about the exam. When I took the test, the oral questions were all topics that Serena and I had practiced extensively. I was able to choose the topic considered to be the most difficult choice and receive a high five from the test administrator. I absolutely could not have done it without Serena. Thank you so much!
Kimberly, Entrepreneur – Portland, US (March 2022)

Serena is a wonderful teacher. Her classes were really interesting and provided great conversation practice as well a chance to work on my grammar. It wasn’t just the classes, though, and you have to be prepared to work on your own in between classes. Serena made that easy for me as she has a knack of making you want to study outside of class! I read and listened to books in Italian that she recommended (for me to buy or use from her library) and I enjoyed giving recounts of what I’d read in our classes. What made the experience so enjoyable was Serena’s knowledge and love of Italy which was infectious. So, whilst I was learning Italian, I learnt a lot about Italy too. I had been studying Italian for eighteen months before I took classes with Serena and after a six-month immersion course with her, I passed my B1 citizenship exam at the first attempt. If someone asked me to give Serena a score from one to five stars, I’d give her six for sure!! (By the way, her books and podcasts are excellent too!)
John, Professor of Sociology, London Metropolitan University (November 2021)

I am very grateful that you have taken me as a student, for my lesson with you this morning was revolutionary.  I believe that your method is going to be extremely effective and I am incredibly motivated.  Thank you so much! I am thrilled actually.
Christine – San Francisco (november 2021)

Dearest Serena, I am delighted with your Italian short stories. The vocabulary at the end of the story had exactly the words that I did not understand. I will look at the photos soon. This will make the experience unique and personal to my Italian teacher. I do not think that anyone has put their own pictures into stories written for teaching. How wonderful that you can be so creative, teach, write, take photographs, it all feels like magic and inspired. Thank you for being my Italian teacher, and thank you for your contributions to students who love Italy and the Italian language. You are a blessing to all of us.
Lots of love,
Barbara, Berkley – November 2021

I have been a student of Serena Capilli for almost two years and I enjoyed every moment she taught me to speak Italian. Serena is a wonderfully skilled teacher with a charming personality. She clearly loves what she does and excels at it. She understands the language and, perhaps most importantly, she understands people so that she can adapt the lessons to the needs of the student. I highly recommend her lessons to anyone interested in learning Italian and progressing to a level that is unique to them.  Of all the medicines I take, I like Italian Pills the most.
Lawrence J., Professor of Medicine and Surgery – New York City (October 2021)

Having spent a year regularly in tears trying to learn Italian with two well know online tools, I found Serena on google. In only 4 weeks I have come further than I thought possible; I now believe I might pass my citizenship exam, which has felt like a pipe dream. I am not a natural – or good – linguist, but I am now flying through. I can’t recommend her highly enough
Dr. Kate D., Philosopher  and Psychologist – UK  (September 2021)

I studied Italian in high school to talk to my Italian family, but after four years, I could barely say anything beyond basic greetings. I was so embarrassed that I completely stopped studying Italian for five years. Since only a couple cousins speak English well, I didn’t speak to my family for most of this time. One day, my dad and uncle were talking and I got so frustrated not understanding them that I Googled “Italian tutors” and booked my first lesson with Serena. Best decision ever! Almost a year later, I’m more confident speaking Italian than I ever thought possible. Serena’s “Italian pills” were the perfect antidote to my linguistic anxiety. She has taught me all of the grammar I never grasped in high school (the congiuntivo, periodi ipotetici, etc), boosted my range of vocabulary, and is sure to sprinkle un’infarinatura di culture into every lesson. The best testimonial to Serena’s teaching I can give is from my family – they are all SO impressed with my progress! Instead of simple greetings, we can finally talk about our lives and interests, and finally get to know one another as people instead of just extended family. Serena is a professional, compassionate teacher and also just a fun person to talk to. I look forward to every class as if I’m meeting a friend for coffee. If you’re thinking about learning Italian, or you’ve tried and given up before, sign up for Serena’s classes. You’ll amaze yourself and your Italian friends and family with how quickly and comfortably you start speaking.
Gaetana D.R, Artist – Washington DC

As someone who can get by in Italian, I knew I needed additional guidance and help to become more fluent because my language skills were advanced in some areas and behind in others — and everything I tried (classes, reading books, online language tools) was either too complex or too simple. Thank goodness I found Serena! She is everything I could have hoped for in a teacher: kind, patient, organized, expert, and most of all intuitive. She customizes each lesson in a careful manner to build on a student’s strengths while creating a supportive and fun environment, “reading” what the student needs in the moment and over time. The homework, lessons, supplemental materials, and weekly conversation helped both my language skill and confidence tremendously, and I could actually feel myself improving. Serena provides engaging lessons that hone in on exactly what I need when I need it, threading through Italian culture and subtle nuance about the language that none of my Italian friends could ever explain or answer clearly enough for me. While Serena does create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, she also takes the work very seriously, creating helpful accountability structures and a clear path for progressing that reinforce her experience and expertise. This approach can push learners in just the right ways to help them grow and achieve their goals. I could not recommend Serena highly enough!
Amy, Professor of Education, University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia 

I’ve been studying Italian on and off for years, getting lost in mountains of books and not having a real direction on how to conquer the language – feeling stuck and not progressing. I needed help. After my initial meeting with Serena, I knew that she would be the right person to help me on my journey to fluency. We’ve been working together for a little under a year, and I am confident that she is why I’ve been able to commit this time. She is very prepared, able to answer even the most nuanced grammar questions, and above all, her teaching style is natural and fun.  She forces you to think and speak, but in a way that doesn’t make you feel discouraged or nervous. It’s clear lessons are tailored to you, and not a cookie cutter syllable, and every lesson we talk about things I like or am interested in reading about, so I am learning vocabulary and grammar in a way that will stick. She holds you accountable for the work, and you want to show her you’re progressing, and that is what a good teacher should invoke. Pride in the work you’re doing, wanting to strive for progress, and being gently pushed out of your comfort zone to do more.
Christina, Writer – Chicago 

Yesterday I was asked talk to two Italian entrepreneurs who were visiting our state capital campus. I met with them for an hour and took them on a tour. During that time, I never needed to speak English even once (but twice I needed a dictionary). One hour is a long conversation. Before I met Serena a year ago, I would not have even considered trying this. She helped me gain the skills and confidence needed to free my speaking abilities without being frozen by relatively small and correctable grammatical missteps. Serenas guidance helped me focus on communication instead of grammar exercises. learned more about contemporary conversational Italian during my year with Serena than I did during the previous three years with other teachers and it was apparent when I helped the businessmen.
Aldo, Lawyer – Seattle

Serena and Valeria’s teaching showed me an entire new way to learn a language that I haven’t seen anywhere else. As a beginner myself (now intermediate), I can attest that they are excellent for absolute beginners.
I have a technology background and had been lured into language-learning by “get-rich-quick” schemes that promised fast and easy fluency. After years of trying and failing with these online programs, I gave up, thinking I simply didn’t have the talent to learn a new language.
Serena and Valeria are  professional online Italian teachers.  With Serena’s coaching, my “problem” dissipated immediately. Turns out the cookie-cutter courses don’t really work — but her method absolutely does. Try her online Italian classes and you’ll see for yourself!
Jeff, GP at Accelerate Capital – San Diego

Serena was truly the best best language teacher that I have ever had! I made huge progress during a very short time period. She is creative, smart and her lessons are never boring. Do not hesitate and sign up for her Italian fluency programs, if you want improve your Italian skills.
Joanna, European Central Bank – Frankfurt 

Serena è una professionista davvero preparata, intelligente e che prende sul serio la sua professione. Le lezioni sono preparate rispetto al livello dello studente, il suo metodo efficace promuove la motivazione di studiare attraverso lezioni ed è al contempo piacevole e produttivo. Per la sua strabiliante superiorità, una lezione con Serena equivale a 10 lezioni con altri insegnanti. La raccomando alle persone che apprezzano il loro tempo.
Renato, Surgeon – Brazil

I so much appreciate what an excellent teacher you are Serena!!!
You are a joy to study Italian with, but also have expectations for me to progress, got which I am grateful.
Thank you so much for who you are as a person.
Barbara, Psychologist – California

This was my first full lesson with Serena. The lesson was completely thought out and we used a variety of material to talk about diverse topics. I was fully relaxed during the lesson, even when making mistakes, which speaks volumes to the atmosphere that Serena created during our session.
Gabriella, Data scientist – Washington DC

Working with Serena is like taking a university course, except she’s your personal professor. What an in depth way to learn and refine your Italian.
Wendy, Real estate broker – Florida 

I have studied Italian on and off for about two years. I didn’t have a proper structure with my studies so I couldn’t judge my level. I started with Serena because I needed to practice a lot with a study guide. Since I started with Serena, I have been writing a lot and speaking constantly. She has helped me overcome my fear of speaking and now I speak out even though I make mistakes. We speak about current affairs, history, food, travels and so much more! She has been patient and observant and provides me with helpful feedback to improve. She is very good at identifying the problems through conversations and writings. She provides resources to target weak areas. I am not just learning the language, I am also learning a lot about Italy and the culture. She listens about my interests and gives me lessons that make learning fun for me. I absolutely recommend her for anyone who is serious about learning the language. Thanks Serena!
Ray, Data Scientist – Minneapolis 

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, colorful and flowery language. Serena would always challenge me to leave my comfort zone when speaking in Italian. And I also can’t help but notice how every lesson is like a doorway to an endless labyrinth of culture and exquisite history, so that every time I feel so productive at the end of our lessons. Lastly, I must mention how grateful I am to have found Serena. For she has been with me on each step I had been taking into this wonderful, immersive and culturally rich journey that is the italian language; guiding, encouraging and teaching me. With all honesty, Serena truly knows what she is doing. She hasn’t forgotten what it means to be a teacher.
Sari, poet – Israel 

Lessons with Serena are not only a real pleasure from beginning to end, but after only three I can already feel that my spoken Italian has improved under her guidance. She has the sort of warm, interesting personality that encourages spontaneous conversation, but at the same time she’s a skilful professional teacher who structures the lesson in a way that takes you out of your comfort zone and helps to imprint what you are learning firmly in your mind.
David – University Professor of Engineering, France

Mi sono trovata un mese in Italia per fare un laboratorio. Potevo parlare e comunicare coi tanti italiani in italiano. Prima di avere lezione con Serena non sapevo parlare così bene, ma quest’anno per lei ho avuta una bellissima esperienza. Sopratutto mi ha detto prima di viaggiare, se non parlo, gli altri pensano che non voglio parlare, è molto strano per me giapponese ma quindi provavo parlare in italiano coi colleghi, commessi ,la gente che abita vicino a casa mia….quando ho parlato, tutti italiani erano molto gentili! Sono molto felice di potere comunicare italiani e me li piace molto.Se potessi nascere di nuovo vorrei nascere in italia. Vorrei studiare per migliorare mio italiano. Grazie mille Serena per tuoi meravigliosi lezioni!
Ai, Opera Director –  Japan 

Ho avuto tanti insegnanti e sono andato alla scuola **** a Roma, ma tu sei la migliore. Sto imparando una lingua che può essere utilizzata quotidianamente, non accademica ma al di là  della lingua turistica. La tua strada crea fiducia
Smart learning with Serena works. I started working with her as an intermediate student who had reached a plateau, especially when speaking. Serena diagnosed my roadblocks and has quickly renewed my progress and enthusiasm through a combination of written assignments and culturally relevant online conversations. I no longer stress out (as much) about making a grammar mistake. Serena turns my mistakes into dynamic learning opportunities by coaching me during our conversations without interrupting them. Her preparation for our conversations is apparent when she seems to have anticipated every misstep I could possibly make. Serena is a language coach. Her style is adapted by my needs, unlimited by textbook learning and unnecessary memorization. I must also emphasize that Serena is a very kind and gentle soul whose smile reveals her personal rewards when she hears me learning. At the end of every lesson, I am smiling as well and feeling more motivated than ever.
Aldo, Lawyer – Seattle

Serena is a wonderful teacher. We have done several lessons together and I have enjoyed each one so very much. The time I spend talking with her is my only chance for uninterrupted, meaningful time practicing Italian. She has been so patient with me and helpful. No matter how much I read or study or listen to Italian media, nothing is more important than conversation. Serena is easy to talk to and she makes you feel very comfortable, no matter how uncomfortable you feel, trying to speak a different language. I’m so glad I found the courage to try one-on-one instruction with italki and that I found a teacher that I really like.
Linda – PR, New York City

Serena is an excellent language instructor. She is very passionate about languages and uses an individualized approach to teaching. Her lessons are a great combination of grammar and vocabulary and are always very interesting and fun. I love that Serena also uses the lessons to introduce you to the Italian culture. She is very patient and very quick to give feedback. She is excellent at finding your weak points and guiding you towards improving them. I could not wish for a better teacher than Serena!
Svetlana, Interpreter – Pennsylvania

Serena is amazing. We have taken almost 70 lessons together and I can definitely see the results. When we started, I could not string a sentence together in Italian and, now, although I still have much to learn, we are talking in Italian for almost the full hour. I owe that to her patience, direction and overall good spirit. I am very happy to have found her and would recommend her to anyone.
John, Lawyer -Pennsylvania

Serena è semplicemente una delle migliori insegnanti nel mondo. Io sono così fortunato di trovarla su Verbling più di un anno fa. Serena è gentile, paziente, carismatica e umoristica. Ogni lezione con lei vola rapidamente e lei è cosi dedicata alla certezza che ogni studente ha successo. Noi siamo diventati amici buoni durante i miei studi con lei e una volta, infatti, lei mi ha mandato un peperoncino da un viaggio a Napoli, dove mia famiglia viene da, con i regoli come si usa. Io raccomando Serena completamente. Studiare con lei e’ sempre un piacere!
Francesco, Ph.D. student –  Norway

Ich habe seit fast drei Jahren Unterricht bei Serena. Es ist immer spannend und motivierend. Sie verfügt über ein besonderes Talent, auf die Interessen und Begabungen (sowie Defizite) ihrer Schüler einzugehen. Danke, Uta
Uta, Journalist – Germany 

I have been taking weekly lessons with Serena for almost two years. She is one of the the best instructors I have worked with in my three+ years of studying Italian, which includes classroom, private, and online lessons. I appreciate that Serena is always well-prepared for our lessons, offers varied and interesting material, and is very patient and helpful. She is especially good at providing material at my level and “just enough” beyond it. She skillfully combines language instruction with lessons in Italian culture, which is essential if you are serious about learning Italian!
Christine, Accountant – California 

Serena e una grande professoressa. È da più di un anno che studio con lei. Lei è molto servizievole e simpatica. Ogni lezione è diversa e preparata specialmente per me. La raccomando a tutti.
Colten, ESL Teacher – Kansas 

I’ve been learning Italian for a few years, but I could never put what I learned into practice. Serena is the only teacher I’ve had who clearly explained passato prossimo to me. She provided really helpful and relevant materials every class, and she focused on my main areas for improvement. On top of that, her lessons are enjoyable, and they are something I look forward to.
Liz, ESL teacher – New Hampshire  

Ho presso lezioni di italiano con Serena per un anno. Durante quel periodo, ho incontrato una forma didattica di imparare la lingua. Prima di tutto, perché sempre facciamo esercizi che lei ha preparato in anticipo. Inoltre, perche lei cerca di correggere i contaminazioni che vengono della mia lingua madre. Perciò, sento che sia un buon investimento.
Miguel, Lawyer – Colombia

Der Unterricht von Serena ist super und wirklich sehr empfehlenswert für Leute, die schnell Italienisch lernen möchten. Serena bereitet alles perfekt vor und nach. Der Mix aus korrigieren und reden lassen ist meiner Meinung nach ein wesentliches Qualitätsmerkmal einer Lehrerin. Und das macht sie super! Ich bin begeistert! Vielen Dank!!
Felix, Dentist – Germany 

Serena es maravillosa! Ella da los idiomas su propio tiempo, pero también los mezcla muy bien! Trabajamos con italiano, español, y francés. Siempre disfruto sus lecciones!
Marina, University student – Florida