I Professori: (the Teachers)

 

Rocco Passafaro:

Ciao a Tutti! I was born and raised in Italy near the beautiful Lake Como. I have a degree from the Università di Bologna. Although I am an Italian native my English is perfect, so I will be able to communicate the nuances of the language and nothing will be lost in translation. While still in Italy, I volunteered for a Literacy Program helping children improve their reading skills, and tutored English and Italian to students of all ages. I also studied diction while at university, therefore my attention to your accent will be a top priority. I use the Strommen method of developing the ear so that you can correct yourself and of teaching idioms that will allow you to readily connect with your students.

 

Founder and Italian Teacher in front of il Foro Romano winter 2008

Garrett:

For the past two years I have enjoyed helping my students achieve fluency in the most logical and intuitive way possible. Having learned Italian myself at a young age, I feel that I am more able to help others along the same journey, although my circumstances were quite different. I entered Italian middle school at the age of 8 not speaking a word, and three months later I was fluent. I also attended all four years of high school in Italy, living a total of eight years in Rome. I still return to Italy for a month out of every year to visit my father who has been the Dean of Temple University Rome for over a decade; my mother is a professor so I suppose it runs in the veins. I have performed in Italian theatre productions, dubbed for Italian films, and also translated and interpreted professionally. I have a 2006 English degree with honors from UCLA, which helps me to accurately communicate the nuances of Italian language and grammar.

Veronica Ghezzi Reid: West LA Italian Teacher

I was born in Monza (near Milan) in 1984 and grew up in Treviso with my family. I attended Liceo Classico (highschool) in Italy, and Graduated from the University of Padova with a degree in Political Science and International Relations. While my Italian is certainly better, I have studied English my entire life. In LA I studied at the Poly Languages Institute here in LA and became TOEFL certified. Sharing my culture and language with students is a dream come true for me!

“A che livello stai?”

What level are you? Whether you are just beginning in Italian, or you are an advanced Italian student that wants to finally become fluent, a personalized curriculum and one-on-one attention is the most effective way to see and hear results.

“Parliamo, Parliamo, Parliamo!”

Let’s speak! The most important thing is speaking and listening in Italian. The more you speak the more confident you will become in your Italian skills. Not only will you learn ‘textbook Italian’ but also the all-important Italian idioms, slang, and colloquialisms. I find it amazing, but these terms are seldom taught even though they can be the most commonly used. 

“Leggiamo, Scriviamo, e Parliamo: L’approccio ‘Multilaterale’”

Let’s read, write, and talk: the ‘multilateral’ approach. I believe in a ‘multilateral’ approach to learning languages. The most noticeable results come from learning like a native Italian student would. We will use a variety of Italian texts, from comic books to Italian literature. We will use reading exercises, unique writing exercises, and oral exercises I have developed through research and application.  Therefore we will engage your Italian ‘right brain’ through conversation and listening but we will also employ your ‘left brain’ advantageously.

"Ti Serve Aiuto?"

Need help? Maybe all you need is a little help -or a lot! If you are taking an online course, or are in a group class, I can help you with conversational Italian, accent coaching, oral exam prep, written exam prep, Italian grammar, Italian history and culture, and written assignments.

"A presto!"

Garrett
Italian Tutor
Garrett@StrommenTutoring.com