Ciao! Come va?
My name is Marianna and I’ve earned my Ph.D. in Italian Studies at UCLA.
Piacere!
I am excited for you to learn all things Italian!
Born and raised in the countryside of the Po Valley between the cities of Bologna and Ferrara, I moved to the US to pursue my academic career. I’ve been teaching at different institutions in Los Angeles since 2009!
I LOVE my culture and my goal is to make you fall in love with it too!
As a Language Teacher at Strommen, a Graduate Student Researcher at UC Santa Barbara, a Teaching Fellow at UCLA, and a private Tutor at LILA for the Italian IB Test, I gained extensive experience in developing, coordinating, and teaching the Italian language and culture to students age 5 and up!
Students describe my teaching as “dynamic, congenial, interactive, engaging, and anxiety-free.” They praise me for being “professional, caring, helpful, energetic, enthusiastic, encouraging, and inspiring.”
I am a native speaker of Italian, a near Native-speaker of English, and I am also fluent in Spanish and proficient in French. “Well. How does this affect my learning?” you may ask. If you’re an anglophone, hispanophone, or francophone I will show you how to delve into your linguistic arsenal to master Italian.
Whether you want to learn basic Italian, dive into Italian literature, cinema, or art, master your academic writing skills, study opera songs (yes, I taught singers from the LA Phil), or learn standard pronunciation (I also work with actors), I can help you!
Cosa aspetti? (what are you waiting for?)
Let’s learn Italian together!
A presto e grazie!
Marianna
Based in Burbank, California
Creative writing, Pet, Hiking, Academic writing
What is your favorite word in your language and why?
My favorite word in Italian is "cucciolo"—because it perfectly encapsulates the cuteness of its meaning: "puppy"!!! Just saying it makes you want to cuddle something fluffy. It’s playful, warm, and full of affection, much like the little creatures it describes. Plus, it works for baby animals and adorable humans, making it the ultimate word of endearment. How can you not love it? Cucciolo, cucciolino, cucciolotto...it gest cuter and cuter as you go!
What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?
Being from the countryside of Bologna, I have to say tortellini—tiny, perfect pasta parcels filled with deliciousness. Whether floating in a rich broth or smothered in a creamy sauce, they are pure comfort in a bowl. If you ever find yourself in Bologna (which you should!), Osteria Bottega is the place to go for an authentic, soul-satisfying tortellini experience. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?
Besides the languages I teach, I also speak Spanish and French—which means I can successfully order coffee and pastries in multiple countries (a handy skill, if you ask me). I love exploring languages, not just for communication but for the quirky idioms and cultural gems they reveal. Learning and speaking different languages makes the world feel closer and much more fun!
What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?
Outside of teaching at Strommen, I’m a writer and a certified dog enthusiast). I also have a mild—but healthy pickleball obsession, where I attempt to dominate the court with questionable agility. Traveling fuels my soul, as I love exploring new places, pretending I belong there, and inevitably getting lost in search of the best local food. Whether I’m crafting stories, dinking in the "kitchen", or befriending dogs, life is always fun!
What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?
My hometown is (and will remain) my village in the countryside of Bologna—the place where all my memories are rooted. I love it for its familiar rhythms, the scent of the freshly baked pane from the local forno, the immense fields that change with the seasons, and the warmth of a community where everyone knows your name (and maybe too much about you!) It's where quiet meets tradition, where life moves at its own pace, and where every street, every old stone wall, holds a piece of my story. No matter where I go, that village will always be casa mia.
