Italian lessonsAtlanta metro area and online
Italian classes in Atlanta, with a native Italian
Private and small-group Italian lessons with Valentina, a native Italian with a degree in Foreign Languages from the University of Turin. You talk from the first lesson, in person around Atlanta or online.
Why people stall
Plenty of people who took Italian can read the menu, then go quiet when the waiter answers. My lessons are built for that moment: you talk from the first lesson.
Who it is for
Italian for your reason
Every student starts with a reason, and the lessons follow it. A few examples:
01
Family
You have Italian roots or Italian in-laws, and you want to talk at the table instead of smiling and nodding.
02
Travel
You are going to Italy and want to order, ask and chat in Italian instead of pointing at the menu.
Italian for travel03
Citizenship
You need to pass the Italian language test for your citizenship and want a plan that gets you there by your date.
04
Work
You work with Italian colleagues, clients or suppliers and want meetings, calls and email in their language.
05
Kids and teens
Your child is growing up with Italian grandparents, or studies Italian at school, and needs practice that feels like play.
06
For the love of it
Films, opera, books, food. You want to understand them in Italian, without the subtitles.
What a lesson looks like
Your Italian, about your life
In the first lesson you already speak Italian: who you are, what you do, why you want to learn. I listen, correct you kindly and keep you talking. Grammar comes in when it helps you say what you want to say.
Every lesson is built around your reason for learning. If you are going to Sicily in June, we talk about trains, markets and dinner. If your mother-in-law is from Naples, we practice the conversations you will have at her table. If you need the citizenship test, we work toward it step by step.
I suggest two hours a week. It is enough to make real progress and light enough to keep up with work and family.
Who teaches
A native Italian who learned by doing
My name is Valentina and I’m Italian. I studied foreign languages and communication at the University of Turin, and then spent seventeen years with an Italian multinational fashion company, training and coaching store teams across Europe, the Middle East and Russia.
Nobody learns to run a shop floor from a textbook, and nobody learns to speak from one either. You learn by doing it, with someone who corrects you kindly and keeps you talking. That is how I teach Italian.
I live in Atlanta now. I teach every lesson myself, and I also teach for four language schools.
How Italian lessons work
One-on-one or a small group, in person or online
I suggest two hours a week. Enough to make real progress, light enough to keep up.
Step 1
Just you, or a small group?
One-on-oneThe whole lesson is built around you: your goals and your pace.
orSmall groupYou practice with each other, and the lesson stays personal.
Step 2
In person, or online?
In personAt my place, or at your home for an additional fee. Somewhere quiet, not a noisy cafe.
orOnlineSame lessons, on video. Good when you are short on time or outside the Atlanta area.
Any mix works: one-on-one online, a small group in person, or the other way round.
The method, in one line
We talk from the first lesson. Grammar comes in when you need it.
Tell me why you want to learn Italian, and I build the lessons around it.
- To order dinner in Rome without switching to English.
- To talk with your in-laws in their language.
- To pass the Italian language test for your citizenship.
- To give your kids the language their grandparents speak.
- To watch an Italian film without the subtitles.
Levels and ages
Italian, from your first ciao
Italian runs from complete beginner to business level, for adults, teens and kids. Not sure where you stand? The free 15-minute call sorts that out.
01Beginners
You start from zero, or from a few words you already know.
02Intermediate
You get by. Now you build real conversation.
03Advanced
Fluency, nuance and the culture behind the words.
04Business
Meetings, calls and email in the language you work in.
Who it is for
AdultsFor work, travel, family or the pleasure of it.
TeensAlongside school, at their own pace.
KidsLessons built around their age and what they like.
In their words
Valentina is a wonderful teacher. She is very organized, well prepared, and specifically tailors the lessons to my learning goals. She challenges me while being very supportive and encouraging. I really enjoy my lessons with Valentina, and I highly recommend her.
PatriciaItalian student, 62
The students absolutely loved the class and had such a great time learning with you. We really appreciated your energy, flexibility, and the way you engaged them throughout the lesson.
Dr. Aleli VazquezDean of Faculty, Ron Clark Academy
Valentina Songia is a very effective teacher. She’s patient and supportive. I feel confident practicing my español by ordering in restaurants and greeting others. She meets us where we are in our progress and doesn’t judge. I look forward to our class each week.
FeliciaSpanish student
Valentina explains how to use the language in context and helps us understand the topic. When we do not understand something, she is patient and breaks down the material. I have really enjoyed learning from her.
StellaItalian student
I’ve really enjoyed taking in-person Italian lessons with Valentina Songia, who is an excellent teacher and incredibly patient. My goal is to become more confident speaking Italian and more comfortable interacting with locals when traveling in Italy, and Valentina has made learning both enjoyable and rewarding. I strongly believe that personalized, face-to-face instruction is far more effective than language apps or online courses, and I highly recommend Valentina to anyone interested in learning Italian.
BillItalian student, 56
Her enthusiasm has delighted our students and made her a pleasure to work with. With no hesitation, we recommend Valentina as a language instructor.
Catherine GellerListen & Learn New York
Questions about Italian
Good to know
Do you teach complete beginners?
Yes. You can start from zero, or from a few words you already know. Tell me why you want to learn and I build the first lessons around that.
Can you help me prepare for the Italian citizenship language test?
Yes. Tell me which test you are taking, the level you need and your date, and we plan the lessons back from there. Speaking is part of every lesson, so the oral part does not catch you off guard.
How long until I can hold a conversation in Italian?
It depends on where you start and how much you practice between lessons. You talk from the first lesson, so you notice progress early. On the free call we look at your goal and your week and agree a plan that fits.
Do you teach Italian to kids and teens?
Yes. I teach adults, teens and kids, and the lessons follow the student’s age, level and goals.
Kids can start from first grade.
Where do in-person lessons take place?
At my place, or at your home for an additional fee, in the Atlanta metro area. I don’t teach in cafes or other public places: they are noisy, and you learn better somewhere quiet and relaxed. Online lessons work from anywhere.
Can a couple or a few friends learn together?
Yes, as a small group. You practice with each other, and the lesson stays personal.
Groups are up to eight people.
How much do Italian lessons cost?
There is no price list here because no two plans are the same: one-on-one or a group, once or twice a week, in person or online. After the free call you get your price in writing, and you decide then.
What happens in the free 15-minute call?
You tell me why you want to learn and where you are now. By the end you know your level, the format that fits your week and what the first month looks like. No obligation.
Free · 15 minutes · no obligation
Start with a free 15-minute call
Tell me why you want to learn. By the end of the call you know your level, the format that fits your week and what the first month looks like. Then you decide.
One teacher means a limited number of students. If my week is full, I’ll tell you when the next place opens.