Ciao! Io sono Melissa
Hi, I’m Melissa
sono studentessa matta
My adventure started with a study abroad experience in Florence, where I lived with an Italian family. Interestingly, my aim wasn’t language learning but rather to soak up the city’s rich art and culture. My first Italian lesson took place in a classroom with views of the Arno River—a setting I didn’t realize then would mark the beginning of a lifelong journey with the Italian language.
Italy entwines itself into your very essence, etching a lasting imprint on your heart. Upon returning home, the yearning for mornings brimming with espresso, the harmonic chime of church bells, and the scent of homemade Italian cuisine only grew stronger. In the midst of work and family commitments, a yearning to rekindle my bond with Italy steadily deepened.
Unable to escape back to Tuscany at a moment’s notice, I turned to the language as my bridge to Italy. With determination and a beginner’s grammar book in hand, I began a journey of linguistic exploration.
Today, Italian is not just a language; it’s a way of life. It enriches my daily experiences, fostering friendships and opening doors to incredible adventures. From crafting novels set in Italy to crossing paths with icons like Sophia Loren, my Italian journey continues to inspire and enrich every aspect of my life.
why do we learn Italian?
pensa un po’ cari lettori!
Welcome to the “Matta” Italian world — Where learning meets la dolce vita! Vivi l’italia, parla italiano!
Italian is the language of love, gelato, and fabulous fashion. It is the language of Dante, Lorenzo il Magnifico, Garibaldi… Roberto Benigni and Sophia Loren. Plus, think what fun it is to enjoy an amazing bowl of pasta, speaking like a madrelingua when visiting il bel paese.
Ciao, I’m Melissa, la Matta — the crazy guide to all things Italian!
Are you learning Italian and looking to enhance your language skills? Do you wish to experience Italy not merely as a tourist but as someone well-versed in its language and culture?
Maybe you’ve been enchanted by Italy—its country, language, and culture—for years, starting your Italian learning journey with enthusiasm. Yet, you might have reached a challenging phase, where progress feels slow, and your motivation has waned. Or, you’re a newcomer, still navigating the basics.
Does this resonate with you? How about teaming up with a language teacher and seasoned guide who’s navigated Italy’s linguistic landscape and can steer you back on track? Imagine working with someone who’s faced the same hurdles, understands your struggles, and offers insider tips to achieve fluency in Italian.
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How can I help you?
Wherever you are on your language-learning journey, I have solutions for you! It’s difficult to improve and speak Italian fluently when you don’t have a way to use your language skills regularly. The Studentessa Matta blog has loads of free resources to help you practice every day on your own. As an experienced teacher, I also provide online language instruction, conversation practice, Italian book clubs, and opportunities to learn Italian with my language partners and me in Italy.
there are many ways to learn with la Studentessa Matta:
Learning Italian Opens the Door to a World of Opportunities
My adventures have been vast and varied, touching the lives of authors, bloggers, wine lovers, teachers, artists, film producers, farmers, musicians, and entrepreneurs. From zip-lining in the Basilicata and making chocolate truffles at the Perugina headquarters to rowing a gondola in Venice and dancing at the Porchetta festival in San Savino, my experiences have been nothing short of extraordinary.
I’ve savored Grana Padano cheese during a tour of the factory in Mantova, wandered the Vatican at midnight, snorkeled in the Cinque Terre, and lounged on the beaches in Gaeta once frequented by Roman emperors. My experiences extend to celebrating Ferragosto in Puglia amid a spectacular display of fireworks and feasting, forging connections with a truffle hunter in Gubbio, and reveling at friends’ weddings in Napoli and Locorotondo. I’ve rolled pasta with nonnas, cheered at the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, climbed to the top of the Duomo in Firenze, and visited underground tombs of the Etruscans in Orvieto.
Through the Matta Book Club, I had the pleasure of connecting with renowned author Felicia Kingsley, who engaged with our members over a Zoom call. Additionally, my group and I interacted with Silvia Zucca, the author of “La guida astrologica per cuori infranti,” which has since become a popular Netflix series. During my visit to Milan, Silvia kindly spent an afternoon with me, offering a personal tour of her city.
My desire to share the Italian language and culture with others inspired me to write four novels set in Italy, during which my research led me to the “haunted villa” in Cerreto Guidi, infamous for the murder of Isabella de Medici. Writing my first novel, Dreaming Sophia, led to a memorable encounter with Sophia Loren. She graciously sent me a letter expressing gratitude for my efforts in promoting the Italian language and culture.
Speaking Italian in Italy unlocks extraordinary experiences and adventures beyond your wildest dreams. This is exactly the kind of transformative journey I aim to offer students who join me in exploring Italy!
My “Matta” journey to learn Italian
I’ve transformed Italian language learning into a lifestyle, journeying across Italy and forging friendships and partnerships with Italian schools and homestay language instructors nationwide. With a wealth of tips and insights from firsthand experience, I’m eager to share my discoveries about the language and the country with you.
To master Italian, I tried every method available. I’ve become well-versed in various learning techniques, using grammar books, attending seminars and online courses, and joining advanced programs in cities like Lucca, Arezzo, and Rome. Initially, I focused on vocabulary and verb conjugations, a crucial step in language learning. However, I quickly sought more engaging ways to progress, immersing myself in Italian novels, audiobooks, podcasts, and films without subtitles. Daily, I dedicated myself to expanding my vocabulary, understanding idioms, and grasping grammar nuances. I embraced Italian music, connected with Italians online, and explored Italy’s culture, art, and history through interactive apps and games.
The key to fluency? I began using Italian daily in speech and writing, leading to the creation of the Studentessa Matta website. This blog has been my platform to continuously engage with the language and friends, enriching my journey.
Ready to embark on your Italian adventure?
Here are a few things to remember.
Be patient and consistent. Learning Italian takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, Michelangelo didn’t paint the Sistine Chapel overnight, Leonardo took a lifetime (literally) to finish the Mona Lisa, and it took 124 years for the Florentines to figure out how to build a dome over the Duomo — compliments to Brunelleschi for being the one to crack that egg!
Language learning is a journey to relish, so enjoy the ride without fixating on the destination! The most successful language learners thrive on the thrill of exploration, guided by curiosity and the pleasure of their discoveries, not burdened by obligation or excess baggage. Let me help you make Italian language learning a fun, exhilarating vespa ride through Rome!
Embrace a sense of humor and muster the courage to speak up, regardless of your proficiency. It’s time to get a little “matta” (crazy) and shake off those inhibitions! To truly thrive in language learning, you’ve got to dive in fearlessly, mistakes and all. Let’s celebrate every slip of the tongue and each grammatical mix-up — they’re stepping stones to fluency!
Why Should You Listen to Me?
With a wealth of experience and a passion for practical application, I’ve journeyed from an enthusiastic language learner to a fluent speaker. I come with the recognition of being an award-winning author and the depth of knowledge gained as an art historian. My extensive travel and teaching expertise have earned me the reputation of an “Italy expert,” under whose guidance my students flourish and excel, often leaving outstanding reviews and choosing to journey through Italy with me repeatedly.
My outgoing “Matta” personality drives me to share what I’ve mastered, equipping you with insider tips, cultural insights, and effective language strategies. Ready to embark on this adventure with me? I’m here to impart a treasure trove of knowledge and ensure our journey through the Italian language and culture is as enriching and vibrant as possible. Let’s dive in together!
Student Reviews
“Melissa was very helpful and thorough and the best tutor I’ve ever had.”
10/13/2023 Nancy J. — 5-Stars
“Melissa is fantastic! Really layed down the ground work for Italian in an approachable and clear way. Looking forward to future lessons with her!”
4/28/2023 Amy M. — 5-Stars
“I love learning the Italian language and I’m very happy with Melissa.”
6/5/2022 – Crystal T. — 5-Stars
“Melissa is very patient, and a wonderful teacher. I enjoy all our sessions.”
3/17/2022 – Phyllis S. — 5-Stars
“Melissa was fantastic. Love, love her. She related beautifully to Marcello. He was smiling the entire session. She made the session informative and fun. She is awesome.”
— 5-Stars
“Melissa is an incredible tutor, she makes Conversational Italian fun and accessible. Our sessions fly by…”
6/5/2022 – Marc D. — 5-Stars
“Melissa has been an excellent tutor. She has extraordinary patience and knows just what I need to improve my Italian skills.”
1/3/2022 – Paula B. — 5-Stars
“I’ve been working with Melissa for a couple months now. I see a huge improvement with my language skills. She’s an excellent teacher and I would recommend her to any one “
12/19/2022 Colette D. — 5-Stars
“Melissa makes learning Italian fun. She does not pressure me.”
6/5/2022 – Donna W. — 5-Stars
“Melissa was very helpful and had a great attitude. She was always open to answering any questions I had. She was very flexible and accommodating and helped further my Italian knowledge.”
5/8/2022 Darcy V. (NYU Student) — 5-Stars
“I love that we start every class with a short convo. It forces me to actually speak as opposed to reading and writing.
11/8/2022 – Laura G. — 5-Stars
“Melissa is amazing! She loves the language, the culture and all things Italian! She has lots of energy and patience. I recommend anyone who is thinking about a study trip in Italy to reach out to her.”
2/18/2022 – Jackie M. — 5-Stars
“Love the approach we are taking to learning. So looking forward to knowing more Italian.”
4/29/2022 – Tonya D. — 5-Stars
Whether you are reading my weekly blog articles, listening to my podcasts, watching my YouTube videos, following my Italian posts on Facebook and Instagram and enjoying all the FREE advice I offer… or taking lessons with me online or in Italy, I will keep you on track, motivated, and practicing daily. I am here to make your journey to fluency entertaining, fresh, and fun!
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Check out some of my achievements:
Winner of Reader Views Literary Choice Awards for my novels set in Italy
features & awards
Follow the MattaTube Channel: Where Italian Learning and Culture Cook Up Fun!
Following the Studentessa Matta YouTube Channel is a game-changer for your Italian learning journey! Immerse yourself fully and sharpen your audio comprehension with videos that bring Italian to life. Worried about keeping up? I’ve got your back with Italian and English transcripts. Dive into a world of fun, informative content—from navigating train stations to exploring quirky idioms and whipping up Sicilian treats with a guest from Palermo. There’s always something simmering on the Matta YouTube channel!
