ABOUT ME
Teaching is my true passion
MY STORY
Hi!
My name is Mariateresa, I’m Italian and I teach English, Italian and Spanish to foreign students.
I started my career studying Art history at the University of Milan and during the last year I lived in Spain. Art is a great passion of mine but as I travelled I discovered I also loved languages. The desire to learn English led me to move to England, where I lived for the next five years.
My English at that time was quite poor and I made a living by doing various jobs.
One day, inspired by my amazing English teacher Mandy, I had an idea:
Why not teach my native language and Spanish to English people and other nationalities?
You wouldn’t believe how fascinated people are by these languages!
MY VALUES
It was in 2017 when I fell in love with this job.
So much so that a year later I gained a TESOL certificate to teach English as a second language. I then took the exam for the CEDILS certification, issued by the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and am therefore also certified to teach Italian.
Teaching allows me to fully express myself and my personal qualities, such as patience and an ability to give my full attention to other people.
By giving students a space in which to express themselves without fear, I create a safe, non-judgemental environment.
When a new student contacts me I always offer them a free trial lesson, so that we can introduce ourselves and I can get to know their level, interests and needs.
It’s from there that I create the ensuing lessons.
MY METHOD
I provide students with a solid grammar base, but also help them to understand the application and use of the language in everyday life.
At the same time, I tailor the lesson to suit the students’ main interests – such as grammar, speaking, pronunciation, writing or exam preparation.
I teach students of different levels, from beginners to advanced.
Although I love teaching in-person, I have adapted myself to teaching online as well.
I have also completed a Teaching English Online course offered by Cambridge University.
I have to admit that it’s a really effective method, plus you meet people from all over the world!
MY PASSION
Having lived abroad for several years I know that learning a foreign language requires time, but it’s also fun.
By speaking in it we can express hidden parts of ourselves – it’s a bit like acting!
You can also assimilate the culture from which the language evolves.
It’s interesting to see how we can change and develop!
My aim is to transmit to students the idea that nothing is impossible.
Learning a language is challenging, but entirely achievable if you keep in mind that it’s a journey made of small steps.
What is important is to establish those small objectives every day, and reach them with calm determination.
