Let's learn English together! Experienced and graduated in languages with multicultural origins teaches English up to GCSE

Find out more about Samuel

• Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  My family is spread all around Europe. I grew up in Italy mostly with my mom, who is French, and my dad, who lived 20 years in England. This mixed background created in me a real passion for cultures and languages since I was a child. I continued to pursue this interest in school and university, where I found a couple of excellent teachers, as well as some unmotivated ones, who inspired me to do better than them in life.

• Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  About French culture, I think about Voltaire who really represents the French ideals of freedom of speech and enlightenment.
  
  Regarding Italian culture, I think about Dante Alighieri who established the use of the vernacular in literature at a time when most poetry was written in Latin.
  
  As for English culture, William Shakespeare defined a lot of expressions we are still using nowadays.

• Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  Italian: « Stare con le mani in mano » - which literally means « to be/stay with hands in your hand» works perfect for Italian culture as when we don't gesture we feel useless and unproductive, the real meaning of the expression.
  
  French: Le dépaysement (être dépaysé) - literally means « un-country-ness » is a good feeling we experience abroad, far from our country. I love this emotion of novelty because everything is completely detached from what you are used to.
  
  English: Every cloud has a silver lining- even though it sounds like a cliché, it actually tells a universal truth: most of the time the best things come from the worst.

• Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  I like French because it is at the same time a romantic language (sound) but also a critical one (in the use of words).
  
  Italian is a historical language: it gives me the chance to remind me of my origins as well as of a truly rich history.
  
  English for me represents flexibility, in terms of the quantity of words and synonyms, but also the opportunity to interact with everybody.

• What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  I think the French challenges are pronunciation and listening: that is why I really recommend listening to a lot of podcasts and speaking to natives when you get the chance.
  
  Italian grammar is tough, but maybe the different melodies are even harder. I advise you to listen to different Italian speakers to get used to accents and melodies, as they are very diversified region by region.
  
  English is quite easy to learn compared to the others, but very hard to master. That's why you have to practice speaking in order to always get the best synonym you are looking for.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  Sometimes teachers in public schools lose their passion, therefore their approach becomes useless. That is what has happened to me since I was a teenager. That was the reason why I started to help my friends first, and clients then, who with just a couple lessons they usually say: « Thank you, I did not realise it was that easy before I met you ». This is the most satisfying thing about my job: making things easy for students with an interesting and fun approach: the best way to learn!

• How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Travelling to my family in France and England has really helped me to get fluent. Not only speaking and listening to native but living their same lifestyle in order to soak up the culture. Without these experiences along with other interests such as music, movies & news I would not have pursued this career.

• What makes you a Superprof in language?

  For instance, my multicultural background allowed me to have a full vision of languages and cultures, not only with books and degrees. This created in me a passion for languages, cultures & teaching in general as I really live to help people. Also, years of experience with any kind of level and age enabled me to refine my approach to finally get excellent feedback every time.