The person who planted the first seed.

In Genoa, and especially in Castelletto, there are those who already know me or have heard of me. For those who don't know me yet, this is my story :)

I am not a native speaker by birth, but I challenge you to hear the difference :) I am a native speaker de facto through my education and my life. At three years old, my far-sighted and wonderful grandmother Letizia stumbled upon the American International School in Genoa, where she convinced my parents to enrol me, mindful of how difficult it had been for her to learn English during the Fascist era. 

So... I have also existed in English since I was three, and I don't remember a time when I didn't know it.

I started teaching, a bit by chance, when I arrived at the Italian high school, with classmates and friends who often asked me for help. And I loved it so much that I never stopped :).

So here I am, almost forty, with twenty-five (technically a little more) years of experience in teaching English. And yet, even this summer I am learning so much; I am learning to teach in new ways. I spent the summer developing a completely new method (at least, as far as I know :)), based on real life and fun. Because let’s be honest: in the time it takes to say "the cat is on the table", the cat has already climbed onto the fridge.

This year I also want to learn to teach in a way that is even different from the one I have always used. I want the teacher to no longer be central to the lesson, but only to be there for support. I want the student to discover grammar and the language on the wave of enthusiasm from a fun activity. And yes, those who know me know that has always been my goal, but this year it is developing in a way that is even clearer, more solid, and extended to (almost) every moment of the lesson.

Years ago, when the school was called UpGrade... it must have been 2018, Camilla, who was four at the time, lied to her grandfather to come and do English on a Tuesday too (but she only had lessons on Mondays - it's one of the many memories I cherish the most)... and this is the enthusiasm that I would like to stimulate in every visitor to the Living English Garden. I would like this garden that we will build together, root by root, leaf by leaf, to be an oasis of peace, serenity, and discovery for us all.

Step into the garden... let's grow it together.