DAILY WORD
Friendly Italian Teacher

START HERE:

Whether you want to learn the language, need some travel tips while planning your Italian vacation, or want to reconnect to your roots and gain citizenship or anything else related to this Italian universe - here I've collected some of my favorite tips and tricks to get you started. We have individual consultations available as well if you'd like to dive even deeper.

✈️

Travel:

Who doesn't want to unplug sometimes and dream of a vacation! As you all know, Italy is a favorite destination. Traditionally the peak season has been highest in the summer months, but things are changing some with fall becoming increasingly popular.

Unfortunately, the airlines have been crazy expensive lately. Obviously, trying to book in the off-season, if possible, will be less expensive but if that's not an option or it's still too expensive, one of my favorite tricks is to use a private search window when searching for flights. There are certain days of the week that give better prices as well (generally midweek) but that could be subject to your location and destination as well so do your due diligence.

But please DO NOT search for flights constantly every day of the week for weeks or months in your regular window-that is the quickest way to get overpriced tickets!

📄

Citizenship:

The law for citizenship by blood recently changed in 2025. There are a lot of nuances to this subject, so it is best to talk directly about individual cases.


But the short answer is, depending on your descent's circumstances (year of birth, age, gender, naturalization status, etc.), you could have a pathway to dual citizenship either directly or by petitioning the court, depending on what type of case you need.

We have an attorney we've partnered with directly in Italy to help navigate each individual's journey. With this partnership directly in Italy, we've eliminated some extra costs typically associated with firms based elsewhere. We've further tried to mitigate costs by offering a preliminary call with us first to help align all your materials- BEFORE involving the lawyer.

Furthermore, all consultation costs are absorbable, and count into the final fee. Our translations and interpretations with the lawyer are all included. Click here for more details

💭

LANGUAGE:

Mindset:

-levels of fluency,

-mistakes are necessary,

-you won't talk like you do

in your native language for

a while. Enjoy the journey!

Tips:

Italian is a more "complete" language when they speak, they often need to use a complete sentence unlike in English where sometimes things are understood.

For example: An English speaker may say "I know" But in Italian they would say "Lo so", or "lo sapevo" which is I know IT or I knew IT, respectively. It's incomplete without the "it".

Also, a fun thing to think about is that in Italian often the structure of the sentences, especially when you get to a higher level, is often structured kind of like Yoda and often might even have a rather "old and elegant" feel to it such as: Mi piace, which is how Italians express liking something but literally it translates to "it is pleasing to me".

Beginner

The good news is that beginner (what is often referred to as A1) to upper beginner (A2) can be achieved relatively quickly if you have the time and commitment. This is very helpful to keep one inspired. That motivation turns into energy and that turns into momentum. This is gold in the learning arena.

Intermediate (B1, B2)

There is so much to discuss about this level but one thing to help keep you engaged with the language and a fun way to traverse the intermediate plateau-which seems like a desolate desert at times- is reading! There came a point where it was difficult to find material at the level I needed. I was better than beginner or children's books but wasn't yet at a point that I could comfortably read and/ or stay interested in an adult/madre linga book. That's where my native Italian husband and I saw a need we could fill and what made us decide to add 3D fluency-Universo's reading series for intermediate learners. Of course you don't need to use our books, but we tried to make it unique, coming from a student and a native speaker working together to create a unique synergy with cutting-edge features to keep you engaged, and your journey supported. Our first book in the series is a fictional novel about Elizabeth's trip- it is a fun story with tons of support materials (such as transcripts, glossaries and video dialogues on each chapter), to really keep it fun and engaging.Learning becomes a byproduct of this fun experience!

Advice:

- "touch" the language everyday (even if only for 10 minutes).

-learn phrases not just words.

- Unless you are someone that really is into grammar-don't worry about it much at first.

-Connecting /filler words and phrases are some of my favorites because they make the conversation flow better and they also help give you time to think (click here to get a free list of some of my favorites).

-immersion

-repetition

LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN


Check out our resources and my studentessa faves for many of the support that I used and prefer to this day!

As you can see, the overlying theme in all that we do, suggest and offer is FUN. Fun keeps everyone open and available and motivated to learn and grow! 🌟