Luca G    Learn Italian with a Sicilian soul. Relaxed, fun and effective classes.

What is your favorite word in your language and why?

My favorite Italian word is “stacanovista.” It comes from “stacanovismo” (look up the Stakhanovite movement on Wikipedia if you’re curious). It’s basically our way of saying “workaholic.” What I love is that it’s only used in Italian, not even in Russian, even though it comes from a Russian name. I find that both weird and fascinating.

What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?

I’ve been a vegetarian for 12 years, so my food options in Italy are a bit limited. The most famous dish from my city is actually of Arab origin: fish couscous. Since I don’t eat fish anymore, I’d have to go with spinach "arancina" as my favorite traditional dish. But as someone with a sweet tooth, I can’t skip mentioning ricotta-filled "cannolo" and "graffa", they’re just irresistible!

Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?

I speak English and Spanish, and I really enjoy learning English through movies. The downside is that I’ve picked up a lot of swear words this way, but I also know American accents really well, especially those from New York and New Jersey. I also love exploring the different Spanish varieties across Latin America to discover their unique expressions and the quirky words they use.

What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?

I really enjoy working out at the gym, but I also like being active outdoors when the weather is nice. In the past, I used to read a lot, especially books on psychology and neuroscience. I love movies. I go to the cinema about twice a month and I try to watch high-quality TV series as well. I have also been practicing yoga and meditation for many years and I am very passionate about esotericism.

What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?

I really don’t like my hometown, and in general living in Sicily is extremely complicated and frustrating for me. But I have had the opportunity to travel and live in different parts of the world. This job also allows me to travel in a way, even while staying at home, thanks to my students. Right now I enjoy a calm and routine life, but in the future I would like to change my surroundings and explore the world in person again.