Vanessa DiMaggio

Hi! I started my career as a journalist, but I fell in love so deeply with Italy during my study abroad trip that I decided to make it my career. I have eight years' experience teaching Italian at all levels, both with college undergraduates as well as adult learners. I taught at Florida State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Denver and Colorado College. I've also been teaching adults for the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver for two and a half years. In addition, I have previous tutoring experience and experience teaching using Zoom--I taught two of my college courses on Zoom! I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a PhD in Italian Studies and received an Excellence in Teaching Award while there. I also love the food, history and culture of Italy and would be happy to share with you any advice you need for upcoming trips! 

I use the communicative method of teaching language. This means I keep my instruction entirely in Italian and expect you to try and speak as much Italian as possible during our short time together. Grammar-heavy or drill-like exercises will only be done as homework (if you so choose)--otherwise we will spend our entire time together interacting and communicating in Italian, as that is proven to be the best way to learn. And of course I am always happy to answer any questions or review things that are difficult or confusing.