TEACHER CASE STUDIES

Listen & Learn: Please tell us a little about what you teach, and why?
Alessandra: I teach both Italian and French. My family is French, and I currently live in Italy, so I am able to do both. Teaching is my passion – I love helping my students reach their goals. One 80-year-old student’s goal was to speak to his Italian nephews and achieving this was very satisfying for both of us!

Listen & Learn: Where did you study, and how long have you been teaching, and what age group do you usually teach?
Alessandra: I studied in Milan initially and when they gave me the option to teach abroad I chose to go to England, which is where I started. I taught for 2 years there, and have been teaching for another 5 since returning to Italy. I teach every age group – from the 80-year-old I spoke of before to children and their parents over Skype!

Listen & Learn: What do you think a student should bring in to the lesson?
Alessandra: I think that students should firstly bring a smile and the desire to learn to every lesson. Other than that, just the materials I supply!

Listen & Learn: What do you think is important for the teacher to bring to the lesson?
Alessandra: I think it’s important for a teacher to really know their students. I make notes about every person I teach – their lives, their targets. I consider my students my friends, and I’m actually planning to visit some in Australia soon!

Listen & Learn: What is your favourite teaching story?
Alessandra: My favourite story is about a student who wanted total immersion after a few months of teaching. What I offer is quite unique – I have a flat in my village, which is close to Lake Como and only 1 hour from Milan, where students can come stay. This student was particularly brave, and moved here for 2 months in order to better learn Italian, as most people in the village don’t speak English!

Listen & Learn: What are three words that describe you?
Alessandra: My students have told me that I’m patient, cheerful, and positive!

Listen & Learn: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us Alessandra!
Alessandra: Not at all, it’s been an absolute pleasure working with Listen & Learn for the past 5 years! Thank you!