A sweet beginning and an unexpected calling

When Silvia first moved from Italy to the United States, her life revolved around desserts: she was a professional pastry chef. Yet day after day, customers sampling her cannoli and tiramisù would ask the inevitable question: “Could you teach me some Italian, too?”

Those casual, after-hours chats awakened something powerful. “The cultural exchange and the excitement I saw in my learners lit a spark,” Silvia recalls. Soon she was teaching Italian at a Florida college, guiding complete beginners and heritage speakers alike toward their dreams of living, studying, or working in Italy. That experience cemented her new vocation: helping people unlock opportunities through language.

Choosing Berlitz: A heritage of trust (since 1878)

After returning to Italy in 2021, Silvia wanted a school that matched her standards for quality and gave her the freedom to balance work with family.

Berlitz checked every box.

  • Proven method. Developed 145 + years ago, the Berlitz Method keeps lessons immersive and interactive from minute one.
  • Global reputation. Students in more than 70 countries trust Berlitz for consistent results.
  • Instructor support. Ongoing training, peer feedback, and scheduling flexibility help Silvia focus on what she loves most: teaching.

"Inevitable progress"

At Berlitz, I’m encouraged and respected, and so are my students. That environment makes progress inevitable.

Silvia, Berlitz Italian Instructor

How the Berlitz Method works in Silvia’s Live Online classroom

  1. Full immersion, friendly pace. Lessons are conducted entirely in Italian, but Silvia meets learners where they are—speaking slowly, modeling pronunciation, and correcting errors on the spot to prevent bad habits.
  2. Real-life scenarios. Whether negotiating rent in Rome or ordering espresso in Naples, practice revolves around situations students will actually face.
  3. Step-by-step confidence building. Grammar emerges naturally; vocabulary sticks because it’s immediately useful. A German student of Silvia’s, for instance, progressed from zero Italian to fluid workplace conversations within a few months of regular sessions.
  4. Cultural insights. From “no cappuccino after lunch” to the proper use of ciao, Silvia weaves etiquette and humor into every lesson—key trust signals that students are learning authentic Italian.
It’s not just about grammar or vocabulary—it’s about empowering people and building meaningful connections.

Flexibility that fits modern life

Berlitz’s Live Online platform lets Silvia’s students take classes anywhere. One real estate professional has logged in from airports, a treadmill, and even his Ferrari between showings—rescheduling on the fly whenever a deal runs long.

This adaptability keeps ambitious professionals (and busy parents) on track toward fluency without sacrificing career or family time.

Success stories that inspire

From beginner to embassy post. A U.S. Marine based in Naples used Silvia’s lessons to earn a coveted role at the American Embassy in Rome. Her growing command of Italian tipped the scales in the interview process.

Corporate Connector. A Swedish executive commuting to Trieste twice a month now navigates meetings effortlessly in Italian, strengthening cross-border relationships and driving new business.

Silvia keeps sticky notes of students’ funniest slip-ups—like confusing masticare (“chew”) with pungere (“bite”) when talking about mosquitoes—because laughter, she says, helps the lesson stick.

Silvia’s top tips for aspiring Italian speakers

Think in Italian. Shift your inner monologue from translation to direct expression.

Immerse daily. Watch films with Italian subtitles and read short articles or social posts.

Travel when you can. A gelato in Florence or a stroll through Trastevere cements classroom learning in unforgettable contexts.

Remember her motto: Chi la dura la vince—those who persist, win.

Why students trust Berlitz (and Silvia)

Heritage + Innovation. A method honed since 1878, delivered through modern online classrooms.

Certified instructors. Every Berlitz instructor undergoes rigorous training and continuous evaluation.

Tailored paths. Programs adapt to individual goals—relocation, professional advancement, or pure passion.

Supportive atmosphere. Silvia sums it up in one sentence: “Berlitz is a family.”

"Fluency within reach"

With consistency, motivation, and the right support, fluency isn’t just possible—it can transform your life.

Silvia, Berlitz Italian Instructor

Ready to start your Italian journey and experience the Berlitz Method?

Join Silvia and thousands of learners worldwide who have transformed their lives through the Berlitz Method. Whether you’re relocating, expanding your career, or simply chasing a long-held dream, our instructors’ expertise and enthusiasm will guide you—un passo alla volta—to true Italian fluency.

Book your first lesson today and experience the Berlitz difference for yourself.