ABOUT ME
​Hi, my name is Costanza, I am 30 years old and am originally from Milan. I am a curious, enthusiastic, and patient person. Languages have always been my passion. I love studying my own native language of Italian, including its grammar, literature, and regional variations, but I've always had an interest in other languages as well. My curiosity about different languages and cultures has led me to travel and live in places such as Naples and Lisbon. I am currently travelling around Australia. These experiences have allowed me to immerse myself in different ways of thinking about and conceiving of life, as well as allowing me to see a different perspective on my own culture.
As well as languages, I love all forms of art and creative expression, such as visual and performing arts, literature, and music. I also enjoy eating, cooking, and sharing meals with others. I like to spend my time walking, taking photographs, being around animals, and learning new things.
MY JOURNEY AS A TEACHER
I was born and raised in Milan, where I studied Classical Studies (Ancient Greek, Latin, and Humanities). I then studied Cultural and Linguistic Mediation at L'Orientale University in Naples and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Linguistics from the University of Lisbon.
I began teaching private Italian lessons in 2016 while I was a university student during my Erasmus year in Lisbon. Since then, I have continued to teach students of different ages, levels, and backgrounds. In November 2022, I obtained the DITALS I certification for Italian teachers. Following my experience volunteering in classes for migrants, I worked in an Italian language school in Milan. A year ago, I moved to Australia and began teaching online for various schools, including Babbel Live Classes, where I have a rating of 4.9.
As well as being an experienced teacher, I have also been a language student. I have studied English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic, encountering each language in a different context and reaching different levels of fluency with each one. This experience enables me to offer my students meaningful advice based on my own ongoing learning & practice of other languages.
I also wrote a Master's thesis on language acquisition, studying the technical aspects of language learning from linguistic and cognitive perspectives. In my lessons, I aim to combine my technical knowledge with my practical experience to help my students. During my academic studies, I also developed a good understanding of the cultural and anthropological aspects of language. Learning a language to me is not just about grammar and vocabulary. It's also about culture, communication, and human contact. Having lived in northern and southern Italy, I have gained different perspectives on Italian, which I gladly share with my students.
I have also developed my own listening skills throughout my life (for example, I participated in a series of workshops on non-violent communication between 2023 and 2025). As numerous studies and theories on language teaching emphasise, I believe it is essential to create an environment in which students feel comfortable and free of judgement so everyone can speak freely without fear of mistakes.
In short, teaching a language requires many elements because languages themselves are complex, multifaceted systems that interact with our emotions as well as setting our brains in motions. In my lessons, you, the student, are at the centre. Together, we will build the best learning path for you, taking into account your needs, goals, prior knowledge, and learning style. Together, we will discover the language: not rules to apply, but a world to explore!
