Find time for Italian.

And for yourself.

Ciao, I’m Elfin

and I’m here to help you, passionate Italophile, transform your Italian into an enjoyable break to take in and enjoy in tiny, tasty sips.

Like a very good cup of coffee. Something that you can fit into the busiest of days.

Learning won’t remind you of school but of ducking into a café for a quick drink. A moment of intense satisfaction that will recharge your batteries and allow you to jump back in your day, refreshed and purposeful. Learning Italian has never been this dolce.

How do you imagine your Italian journey?

Ever since you watched that first Italian movie on your couch, you dream of being able to speak the language and order your own dinner by yourself while the locals chat in the background as you idly eavesdrop.

So, you get your grammar book, start watching tutorials, memorizing tenses but then, life gets in the way and somehow you lose sight of what it was that you wanted.

Busy days, work, lines at the mall, traffic jams.

How are you supposed to hit the books, anyway? You look at your watch more than you look at your verb table.

This was not what you had in mind for yourself.

Your journey to fluency has to be special and full of meaning and somehow fit in your schedule.

Is that too much to ask?

No, it isn’t.

It’ s possible to learn this beautiful language even on the busiest of days.

All about Italian is all about you.

Yes, you, the one who’s running around with endless to-do lists and responsibilities but with beautiful dreams that you want to turn to reality.

If that sparkle, that extra zing in life, is what you love about Italy then you’re in the right place. Even if you struggle at finding time to brush your teeth.

Here, the journey to fluency is every bit as remarkable and full of wonder as the country you wish to visit.

I’ll share with you advice and tips on how to keep your Italian going in hectic periods and, most of all when your motivation is flagging.

Who am I? I’m your partner in crime.

I’m originally a translator and a CELTA certified English teacher. I’ve taught English for over fifteen years and started teaching Italian four years ago applying the creative approach of the English teaching world to the Italian language.

I’ve coached and helped countless students become comfortable with their Italian and come to the country to make true connections.

Together with my friends and fellow teachers, Silvia and Barbara, I host a podcast for intermediate learners, Con Parole Nostre that offers authentic conversations and gives people the chance to eavesdrop on true Italian chit-chatting.

I’m very talented at finding learning opportunities out of the most mundane things. Give me anything and I’ll turn it into an Italian language exercise.

Until not long ago…

I was running around, busy, busy, busy with an underpaid job and dreams that were starting to fade.

I was just another casualty in the crisis that hit Italy in 2008 and isn’t really over yet.

I’d stopped doing things I wanted to do and was trying to do what was expected of me. I lost myself in the process.

I remember a friend asking me “ Well, what are your hobbies?” My jaw dropped at realizing I no longer had any.

Then, I had a bad accident. I lost my job, lost my health and money. But I got time.

So, I started doing small things that I’d given up on. Drawing, learning Spanish, going around on my bike, taking long walks with my dog.

Six months later, I began teaching Italian online and my life changed forever.

I still had to be very careful about my health but I started to tentatively build a new life.

A new life that was going to always include things that I loved to do. No matter what. A new life that included time for me.

Not in a selfish way. When you find time for yourself, for what you love, you’re a better person, more giving, more loving.

All about Italian is all about being yourself and finding the time to do it.

A few random facts about me

I live in Cremona with my dog, Jaime and my cat, Tiger. I’m currently struggling with keeping Jaime from eloping with the cute cocker spaniel that lives just down my street
When I’m not teaching languages, I’m busy looking for the perfect cappuccino.
I take many pictures of doors and food
I was born in the US and came to Italy as a child. Italian is actually my second language. I know, weird, right?
My hair is always messy no matter how much I brush it.
I love, love, love the sea. I dream of having a tiny boat someday
I love scrolling my IG feed for inspiration to keep myself starry-eyed.
I believe that it’s never, ever too late to do anything. For real.