Ciao, mi chiamo Maria.

I’ve helped hundreds of native English speakers become conversational in Italian so they can build deeper connections with family and friends, completely immerse themselves in the culture, and feel at-home in Italy.

After over 10 years of academic study in Italian, embracing my father’s Calabrese heritage, earning multiple awards, and teaching Italian for over 6 years in top school districts nationwide,

I’ve discovered the most effective and efficient strategies to get you confidently interacting in Italian so you can be a part of the culture and truly connect with Italian friends, family, and the community.

In 2006, I traveled to Italy to meet my family, and like many English speakers, I felt incredibly awkward, unable to speak a word of Italian. I was so afraid to open my mouth, fearing they would surely laugh at me.

The embarrassment I felt and lack of connecting with my family motivated me to truly learn Italian.

Embracing the challenge, I navigated through trial and error, discovering the best ways to explain complex linguistic concepts in a fun, simple, and easy-to-understand manner, which is perfect for native English speakers aspiring to go from zero to conversational.

When I returned to Italy in 2013, I finally had the chance to truly connect with my family, making connections I never imagined. I learned about who I was, who my family was, and finally felt at home being a part of Italian society.

Speaking Italian doesn’t just make travel easier; it lets you truly feel at home in Italian culture, whether you’re connecting with family, friends, or locals.

I still find that many English speakers feel embarrassed, disconnected, and overwhelmed while learning the language, often struggling to make progress in their conversational skills.

It’s time to make things fun while learning- and never feel embarrassed to speak again.

It’s about more than just “surface-level” Italian; it’s about using conversation to build relationships and genuinely connect with others.

I created a top-of-the-line program and a vibrant community called the Italian Toolkit, where I personally guide native English speakers from saying their very first words to holding meaningful conversations, building real connections with Italian friends, family, and locals.

The free pronunciation guide below is the FIRST STEP to becoming conversational.