Student reviews
Here are some of the things students are saying about us
I had been studying Italian on and off since moving to Florence, but it was not until I finally committed to lessons with Valentina’s school that I was able to make such great progress. As others have said, Valentina is extremely well organized and incredibly kind. Lessons twice a week with our excellent teacher Giulia are fun, challenging and extremely productive. My small group has stuck together for over a year and a half, have become friends and have even met up for dinner when a fellow student was visiting from the US. I highly recommend Speaking Italian in Florence!
Janet Dakey - NY, United States and Florence, Italy
January 2025
I have been studying Italian with Speaking Italian in Florence since May 2023. Under the fabulous direction of the site organizer Valentina, I have made great progress. Thanks to dedicated teachers like Laura in Florence (in person) and Giuseppina in Puglia (online) I have made great progress. In just over a year I went from basic beginner level to giving a keynote lecture in Italian at an academic conference (no small feat). Valentina is extremely well-organized, her teachers are incredibly dedicated and effective, and I am 200% satisfied with the program. I just wish I could take more classes each week! If you want to "really" learn Italian, I highly recommend this site.
Jonathan H. Shannon - NY, UNITED STATES
December 2024
I highly recommend Valentina! Her classes with my teacher Giulia are amazing. I've learned a lot and will carry on with these teachings! I highly recommend Valentina and these lessons. My teacher Giulia and our Zoom class is fantastic.
MARC ARMATO - NY, UNITED STATES
December 2024
I have been studying with Valentina for about 3.5 years in a group lesson. She makes language learning fun and has an effective teaching method. Her lessons are more than grammar drills—they focus on language acquisition. Once she introduces a topic, we take the necessary time to practice it. She makes sure that we know it well before moving on to a new topic. And best of all, making mistakes in class is not a bad thing. They always turn into a learning moment. Valentine has not only helped me learn the Italian language, but she has also helped me build confidence. Because of her, I was able to travel throughout Italy buying train tickets, ordering food, shopping, etc. If you want to speak Italian, I highly recommend that you consider taking lessons from Valentina. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I would be happy to share my experience with you.
dolly feldman - virginia. united states
July 2024
Suppose you’re looking to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Italian language and culture in a truly safe, attentive, and tailored-made course program. In that case, I wholeheartedly recommend enrolling in the Italian language courses offered by Valentina. Her school stands out not only for its exceptional teaching methods and comprehensive language learning approach but also for its outstanding teaching culture. I feel lucky to have found Valentina’ s school and to have the chance to work with our genuinely competent and also kind teacher, Giulia who is by far one of the most skilled language tutors I’ve had the opportunity to learn from! I've got a few other foreign languages under my belt, and I can indisputably say that her teaching methods and kind approach to us, her students, have made me simply love the Italian language-learning process. Indeed, this isn’t something to be taken for granted, as many language teachers are just this - teachers. Giulia’s exceptionally kind approach sets her apart; she is a passionate and dedicated teacher who can suitably translate the material for her audience in the proper manner and portions at the right time. And I must add that we also have a lot of fun during class! Giulia’s enthusiasm for the Italian language is infectious, making every lesson an enjoyable experience. The course program is also flexible to our schedules or bank holidays in various countries; the lessons are downloadable if someone can’t be in class, and Valentina and Giulia always make sure everyone feels comfortable and has gotten what they need! The small class gives the course a truly personal touch, allowing us to learn at a good pace without squeezing up exercises or course sessions. During class, there is equal time for everyone (usually 5-6 people) to speak, read, make mistakes, and learn from them. This time allows to accommodate everyone’s own pace of learning. The course by Speaking Italian In Florence offers a rewarding and enjoyable journey into the Italian language. Since enrolling in October 2023, I've not only gained knowledge of Italian but also found a warm, supportive, and fun learning environment. Moreover, this course is an investment in my self that has already opened many doors to new experiences and even friendships.
MIMI stoykova - sofia, bulgary
July 2024
I moved to Florence in September of 2022. I started classes with Valentinas program after I moved to Italy, now I’m a year and a half into the program. I can’t recommend it enough! There is never a convenient time to learn a new language, you have to jump in with both feet! Val’s classes are fun, flexible, very well taught. You don’t learn overnight, it takes time. I’ve come such a long way. I’m navigating our Dr appointments, immigration tasks, and communicating with the people in my neighborhood. Thanks Val for helping me reach a goal I never thought possible. Oh! And if your lucky enough to get in one of Giulia’s classes, she is a wonderful teacher!
MArybeth brauman - florida, united states
July 2024
I have been studying Italian on and off for 1 year. In 1 month studying with my teacher Giulia, who works with Vale at Speaking Italian in Florence, I was speaking and understanding better than I had in the previous 12 months. Highly recommend.
SAL d'elia - san diego, united states
July 2024
I definitely recommend taking an Italian course through Speaking Italian in Florence! Valentina is so easy to book classes through and very helpful and understanding. I have already been taking a course for nearly a year now with Giulia who is an amazing teacher. She is so patient, fun, easygoing and keeps everyone in class involved during our lessons - feels like a miniature family during class.
EMELIE COCKERELL - FINLAND
August 2024
Valentina is a gem! Her knowledge and excitement to teach us the language goes beyond just a teacher. She is confident, caring, kind and so important...she is patient. Valentine takes on not just teaching the language to you, but wants to see you progress and motivates you to keeping moving forward. She encourages you and will never move forward in her lessons until she is confident everyone understands the previous lesson. We talk in every class in italian, we laugh..my class has become a little family. Traveling to Italy has taken on a whole new journey being able to speak and understand the language thanks to her! She is wondeful. And now I have a lifelong friend living in my favorite city! If you want to learn Italian - you've found your girl. Do not hesitate. You will never regret it! Grazie Valentina!
paula gilbertson barr- morris, united states
July 2022
I have been studying Italian for many years and thanks to Valentina I am now much more comfortable speaking Italian. I have been taking a small group class online with her for a little over a year now and have greatly improved my speaking ability. Valentina is very patient and encouraging. I recently returned from a one-month stay in Italy and was very pleasantly surprised at how much easier it is now to speak and understand Italian. I was able to travel on my own, as opposed to paying for a group tour, and had no problem communicating. I credit Valentina for my success and highly recommend her courses if you are looking to learn or improve your Italian.
candice montero - virginia, united states
July 2022
For those who wish to learn Italian, I strongly recommend Valentina. Her lessons re well-rounded, and include conversation, grammar, reading and homework. She brings a rare combination of intelligence, structure and patience. It is always a delight to learn with her!
paul KIMMERLING- NY, UNITED STATES
April 2023
Valentina is an excellent Italian language teacher, for a beginner or intermediate learner. I have been learning on my own for many years and after just a few months she has helped me make significant progress and reach a higher level of confidence. Her lessons are well structured, with patient and clear explanations of the grammatical rules, while giving everyone time to practice speaking. I highly recommend Valentina, it’ s been my favorite experience learning Italian.
denis brousseau - atlanta, united states
July 2022
Valentina is a wonderful teacher! Patient, helpful and friendly. 10/10!
smriti gorawara- gurgaon, indiA
April 2022
Valentina is an excellent teacher! My husband and I started her courses at the end of last year and we learned more in one lesson with her than we had learned in six months of self teaching we'd tried to do before that! She explains things so well and thoroughly. She won't move on to the next subject until you fully understand something, which we really valued. She can answer any question and knows the Italian language inside and out. She also helped us a lot with pronunciation. We wished we'd started sooner, she made our time in Italy so much better! Can't recommend her enough. A++
Alisha Dixon - NEW ZEALAND
May 2020
Valentina is the best Italian teacher I ever had. She's patient, knowledgeable about Italian grammar, and most importantly she connects to the reason why you are learning Italian in the first place. Lessons with her are not just about memorizing difficult rules but understanding strategies to find your place in Italian society however long you are in the country. You will fall in love with the simplicity, history and tradition of the Italian Language. Grazie mille, Vale!
Karl Jiǎmíng - GEORGIA, UNITED STATES
September 2019
I would really recommend Valentina’s lessons to anyone who wants to learn or improve speaking Italian. Valentina is a very kind and patient teacher. She’s also very flexible in her availability, in providing both group and individual lessons, and in customizing lessons for every level, from beginner vocabulary to more advanced grammar. I’m learning a lot from her lessons, grazie Valentina! “Penso che si parli meglio l’italiano quando si usa il congiuntivo”.
Jorinde van der scheur - NETHERLANDS
March 2019
Valentina is a very enthusiastic, patient and friendly teacher! She wants you to learn the best Italian so is very dedicated to her students. Not only was my teacher but she became a very good friend! Learn with Valentina!
EVE ALLEGRA LANGFORD - england
September 2019
Learning a completely different language is a big challenge and does not come very easy, but Valentina made the difference for me so far. At that time when we had a conversation about my goals for the lessons I couldn’t imagine to really be on the level where I am today, but I have seen my Italian getting significantly better over time. If I had to pick one thing that stood out to me in the lessons.. then it was Valentina’s patience throughout, but, at the same time, keeping an eye on my goals with lessons and try to push me. I really appreciate her in that for motivating me in each lesson to get the most out of myself. Besides, personally, the lessons with Vale were a highlight of the week. It was definitely something I was every time looking forward to. Simply, I could not ask for more. I hope to have this opportunity in the near future again.
gideon rodenburg - netherlands
January 2019
I’ve had many teachers, Vale is the best! She gets what I need and adapts her teachings accordingly.
jenny barnette - england
September 2017
I highly recommend Valentina for the reasons as follows:
1) She is a very organized teacher that makes grammar rules very clear
in a very organized way so that it is easy to remember.
2) She insists and encourages me to speak Italian with right grammar
(even thought Italians themselves don't really follow the rules). And I
think this is very important because, at the end of the day, we want to
learn the right Italian.
3) She is not just a patient teacher but more like a good friend who
listens to you and who actually cares about you.
Linien Yen- TAIWAN
September 2017
I know valentina since many years. She is a very talented, kind and patient teacher. I won’t hesitate to recommend her to whoever wants to learn or just improve the Italian language.
JACOPO BUTI - florence, italy
September 2019
She’s a really good teacher!