Lucia

Italian Teacher

How long have you been teaching for and how long for Cactus?

I have been an Italian teacher since 2012. I moved to Cambridge in September 2019 and I immediately started working for Cactus.

How long have you been living in the UK?

I moved to the UK in 2019.

What is your degree and teaching experience?

I studied Translation in Rome but I have always loved teaching, and during my studies I fell in love with teaching my mother tongue. So I decided to start a new journey of my life and became an Italian teacher! I took the DITALS certification and I started my teaching career. I have taught people of all ages from all over the world, first in Italian language schools in Italy, then I continued online lessons, I cooperated with some cultural Italian associations and now in the UK!

Where were you born and what is the city famous for?

I was born in Narni, a little town in Umbria, the “green heart of Italy”. Maybe you heard about it thanks to the famous book “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis! I grew up in this medieval town between old houses, churches and a wonderful castle! Every year there is a medieval festival in which you can live like in ancient times: people dress up in costumes, the streets are lit with candles and you can jump into the past eating delicious food and watching a special horse race!

Is there a typical food of your native country and is there a special occasion when most families eat?

When I ask my students what is Italy for them, they always answer me: the country of good food, no matter where they are from – the UK or Brazil! Also in a beginner class the most well known words are pizza, pasta, spaghetti, tiramisù and gelato! In Italy eating is a way of living. We have a menu for all occasions: Christmas, Easter and New Year’s eve! And when we are together with the family we eat a lot of traditional meals! For example Panettone for Christmas or lentils at the end of the year! So it’s difficult to say what our typical food is: every occasion is a good opportunity to eat.

Do you have any specific language learning tips?

While you are taking Italian lessons, I suggest you to spend time watching your favourite TV series in Italian (maybe Italian subtitles can help you!), listening to music (and why not, also singing!) and reading books.

I am looking forward to seeing you in my class!

Ciao!!! A presto!!!

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Frequently asked questions

What will I learn?

Our Course Outlines give an overview of the content and learning framework of Cactus courses. Includes themes, grammar and vocabulary you can typically expect to cover. These are intended as a guide only. Language teachers may at times adapt the course content to suit the specific level, aims and interests of the class.

How do I know what level I am?

Are you unsure where to start or progress to? Then take our level test and read our level descriptions for guidance.

Do I receive a qualification or certificate?

At the end of your course you receive a certificate of participation. You will be able to be download it from your MyCactus account. This confirms the language and level of course you have taken. Our course levels are based on two internationally recognised systems. You will have a universally accepted reference for your studies. (Important: Please note that you must complete the end of course questionnaire sent to you to be able to get your certificate! You will receive the course questionnaire by e-mail at the end of your course.)

Do I need a course book?

You will need a course book to attend your course. Course books are not included in the course fees. We recommend that you buy your own course book separately before your course starts. We will let you know which course book you will require and advise where you can purchase this. Please note that a course book often covers more than one level. So if you progress to the next course, you may not necessarily need to buy a new book. Again, we will advise you of this at the time. The course book is chosen by our teachers and academic team. This is based on which book is most suitable for the level of the class whilst offering the most communicative approach.

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