Writer and editor of the most popular Italian-learning textbook in Australia. Native, PhD graduate, available to teach at any level.

Learn more about Nores

• When did your passion for teaching Italian begin?

  By the time I was 19, I had already a good understanding of linguistics and language mechanics and I started going out with several non-Italian students at my university. Their level of Italian was improving really slowly and I had the feeling there was something missing in their education, so I decided to study the methodology they were using and this got me into the teaching of my own language.

• In your opinion, what does it take to be a successful Italian speaker?

  Curiosity, interest in the culture, as well as the language, and lots and lots of consistency in work, learning to appreciate every step, without expecting to become fluent in a few days. And this is valid for every language.

• What do you think is the most peculiar thing about the Italian language?

  The positioning of the adjective and, at the same level, the use of subjunctive. No one can really describe every single scenario and yet they both contribute to add a peculiar flavor to Italian.

• What would you say to a student who says learning another language is useless or boring?

  You are only focusing on the language, which can be tedious. If you look further and understand the cultural implications, the art that you can enjoy and the communication with new people who can teach you things you would have never thought, you'll be fascinated in a moment.

• Finally, what piece of Italian literature would you say is an absolute must-read for all people learning to speak Italian?

  If you are fluent, The Divine Comedy, otherwise, start with Pinocchio and Le Avventure di Giamburrasca. The are simple and yet extremely profound works of literature that can be understood by everyone, from children to adults, while never getting boring.