It's 3 years later and I still look forward to my weekly classes with Isabella. We now meet online via Zoom and I actually find it to be MORE convenient and easier to share information. In addition to building my skills and confidence in reading, writing and speaking Italian, I've learned more about grammar in general than I ever did in school. Isabella has an arsenal of tools and materials to offer and nothing beats having access to someone as knowledgeable and friendly as Isabella to help explain EXACTLY what you need to know. Highly recommend! read more

Isabella taught my daughter Italian for 4 months. My daughter was challenged with the personalized program that was outlined for her. Isabella was patient and flexible with our busy schedule. If you want to learn Italian from a native speaker and learn about Italian culture, then Isabella is a great choice. read more

Isabella deserves more than 5 stars. She is a skilled teacher and has a remarkable grasp for teaching Italian and key features of grammar, etc. Treat yourself to the best! read more

I've been taking Italian lessons with Isabella for a bit over two years, and couldn't be happier. I went from knowing no Italian barring menu Italian, and have progressed to the point where I can carry on something of a conversation, albeit with errors. Her teaching style is exactly what I wanted - there are no vocabulary lists. She's focused entirely on grammar, though often through texts that enrich your knowledge of the history and culture of Italy. While I'm sure she could teach you some sentences to get by on your next trip to Italy, you're kind of wasting her potential as a teacher that way. She's a teacher who can guide you through the entire onramp of learning Italian, with lessons that intelligently and progressively move you from grammatical subject to subject. She knows when it's time to slow down and have some review so you can lock in what you've already learned, and she knows when it's time to challenge you. Highly recommended! read more

I started taking Italian lessons with Isabella in April of 2019, right before a trip to Italy. My plan was to take lessons for about three or four months just to refresh the basic Italian I had learned as a young woman. However, once I started studying Italian with Isabella, I was hooked! After being Isabella's student for a little over a year, I can say without a doubt she is one of the very best foreign language teachers I have ever had. (I've had quite a few!) She is a smart, personable, effective, and highly organized teacher. Isabella truly understands what it takes to learn a foreign language, knows how to help her students build a solid understanding of grammar and gradually develop all the necessary language skills, while also learning about Italian culture and history. She engages her students in a wide variety of ways, utilizes fun and interesting materials, and puts a lot of thought and hard work into her lessons. When we had to switch to lessons on Zoom in March, I wasn't sure I would enjoy them or continue learning quite as productively. Once I took my first online lesson with Isabella, my concerns were totally dispelled. Isabella quickly and gracefully adapted her lessons to the new modality, and they are just as amazing as usual! read more

Isabella is a wonderful teacher with a deep knowledge of everything Italian! I have been looking for an Italian teacher in Marin for a long time and finally found a patient and enthusiastic one who really inspires me to keep going. I can actually see myself going to Isabella for many years until I master Italian. read more

Isabella is a great teacher. She's kind, patient, and enthusiastic, and her lessons are well organized. I've been taking Italian lessons with her for 2 years and my grammar skills have improved significantly. read more

I had a great experience learning from Isabella - she assessed my level with each class, adjusted the lessons and homework to help me in my weakest areas, and was an all-around joy to learn from. Her first-hand knowledge of Italy, its culture, and its history were invaluable context for learning Italian the way Italians actually speak and use their language. After less than a year, I can already read, write, and speak some Italian! I have a long way to go, and I'm taking a short break, but fully intend to continue my learning journey with Isabella in the future. read more

Cosa posso dire? Isabella is not only the best Italian teacher I have ever had, but the best teacher full-stop. First and foremost, she is a serious teacher who begins at the beginning and teaches the language from the inside out. Isabella's love and respect for her native language is evident in every lesson. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to your learning is, sadly, something you rarely find these days. This is not a teacher that rushes through critical lessons. She is patient, funny, and kind, but nothing gets by her. If you've made a mistake, she will catch it. Isabella is the real deal. But it gets even better! Isabella skillfully weaves the history and culture of her believed Italy into every lesson. One day she introduces an amazing castle, which by the way she actually lived in! The next day it's a recipe for Pasta alla Norma. Honestly, it's like being transported to Italy, and having the best possible guide, all while sitting next to your wife in your dining room. Isabella, sei la migliore! read more

I have been taking Italian class with Isabella now for about 7 months. I love her approach to teaching the language - she comes at it from many angles. Not only does she lay the very important foundation of grammar - without rushing through any of the important components, she also makes it fun. In addition to grammar homework and the weekly class, studying the language also includes a weekly song in Italian and an idiomatic expression, Italian films and books, a weekly audio lesson, and writing the language - not to mention learning about a new cultural element of Italian life every week. Isabella is a warm, kind person with a great sense of humor. I have looked forward to my class with her each week! read more

I found Isabella's online Italian classes close to a year ago after reading the really wonderful reviews, and I could not be happier with my choice of teacher. Isabella is a true gem in the field of education - absolutely professional and devoted to her students, so organized and meticulous about her classes and the extra, incredible materials she creates. At the same time, teaching with such passion and joy about her country and its language that I couldn't help but want to learn more and improve each week. I had some familiarity with the Italian language when I began classes with Isabella, but she was able to give me a much firmer (and correct) foundation of grammar, speaking and writing than I had experienced in prior classes. Couple that with the shared weekly films, the ongoing stories and laughter - these are classes I highly recommend and will happily continue. read more

I've been studying Italian with Isabella for almost 10 years and she is simply the best. Not only does she provide the "inside scoop" on all things genuinely Italian, she is organized, patient, funny, and always has a surprise up her sleeve to keep you interested and going to the next level. My knowledge of Italian language and culture have been enriched so much by Isabella. If you want the best, native, custom Italian learning experience in Marin County, this is it. read more

Italian with Isabella - Language Schools Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Best Italian teacher ever! I am amazed how week after week, I look forward to my classes with Isabella (which I've had regularly for over one year via Zoom). Learning Italian with Isabella is more than just a lesson in grammar and conversation--it's about the history, culture, art and cuisine of Italy. Isabella keeps lessons fun and engaging, and I've learned so much. I highly recommend Isabella--whether you're a beginner or advanced. She is a native speaker, extremely organized and a very skilled teacher. She is truly amazing! read more

I love studying Italian with Isabella. She is an incredible teacher who has impeccable tools to learn this beautiful language. I have taken class from her for a few years - the most recent year being on zoom. It is a one-to-one class where she fills our time with thorough and exciting instruction. Every week I discover new Italian grammar, practice, movies, cultural points, history and fall more and more in love with this language. Isabella is, hands down, the best teacher I have ever studied foreign language with. I've taken language courses for years (college/one to one/ every type) and she cares more than any other teacher I've ever met. Her knowledge of Italian has no bounds. I can say that taking class with her is a weekly "high point" for me and I can not recommend her more highly. read more

I read all these wonderful reviews about Isabella when I was searching for an Italian tutor. They were all true. Isabella is fabulous!! Her teaching technique is very effective and fun. She customizes her one on one tutoring according to your ability using a textbook, audios and written lessons (homework). Also, her CD's of classic Italian movies was a plus! When I was away (actually in Italy) I would do writings of my day to day experiences and send to her and they would come back corrected. Isabella is totally in touch with the Italian culture 24/7 and is a delight to work with. I would highly recommend her to anyone no matter what level. read more

I speak multiple languages, have a degree in linguistics and have taught English all over the world, so when I say Isabella is an outstanding and skilled teacher it comes from a place of deep appreciation and knowledge base for the trade. She was able to assess my skills and start me right where I would be challenged, she is complimentary and supportive which is crucial for an adult learner, and the love she has for her mother tongue and culture is inspiring and infectious. I cant wait to get to Italy this fall and use all I have learned. Highly recommend Isabella for any level of Italian you want to learn! read more

Isabella is an inspiring teacher and a lovely, thoughtful, delightful woman. My ability to read and speak Italian is enhanced by her use of a terrific textbook, audio files, videos and her personalized handouts. I have been to Italy many times and always managed to get by with lessons from years ago, but now I will actually be able to have conversations. Grammatically correct conversations! Grazie mille, Isabella. Italian is a beautiful language. Whether you want to study for a future trip or because learning a new language is on your bucket list...you should study with Isabella. Really. You'll be glad you did. read more

Isabella is a great teacher! I'm learning more than I expected in the year that I've been studying with her and learning quite a lot. She teaches at a great pace. Her teaching approach includes multiple media forms, all of which contribute well to the learning process. She makes the class fun and she is extremely knowledgeable about everything Italian, not just the language. If you're interested in learning Italian, Isabella is the first and only person you need to contact. I can't recommend her enough. read more

I am so grateful to Isabella for her diligence and enthusiasm. I have been with her just 2 years and can definitely say I can now converse simply in Italian. She provides audios, movies, texts, home work; whatever suits your needs & goes over and above. She is always searching for ways to enhance and improve the grammatical explanations with her own detailed explanations that are so important and is very attentive but makes the lesson so fun! I cannot thank her enough for the confidence and excellent ground work I now have after attempting Italian a few times in the past but never continued due to disappointments. I look forward to each lesson and love going to Italy now with my new skill! Grazie! read more

Isabella is an excellent teacher of the Italian language. She is passionate about the language and her enthusiasm is infectious. Her lessons are well organized and structured, and she immerses you in the language using a variety of mediums, leveraging audio lessons, videos and cultural and historical readings. All supported by a carefully developed understanding of the grammatical framework of the Italian language. Her lessons are also highlighted by cultural insights and explanations of idioms that you won't likely get elsewhere. I'd highly recommend her to anyone looking to begin or advance their speaking and writing of Italian, whatever your current skill level. read more

Isabella is a gem! She has a contagious passion for Italian culture and language. She teaches in a way that is diverse and kept me engaged throughout the two hour lesson. She also gave me plenty of media and activities to stay engaged in between the lessons. Unfortunately I had to stop short due to a change in circumstance but look forward to re-connecting with her in the future. I would highly recommend! read more

I really enjoyed my Italian class. Isabella moves at a good pace, keeps it challenging, while being patient and encouraging. Io parlo Italiano adesso! Well, on my way, anyway! read more

I have never been able to learn languages very easily. Isabella makes the lessons interesting. She designs the lessons so that I can understand and retain the information. She is very knowledgeable. She inspires her students. I look forward to each lesson. As a Japanese proverb says, "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher." read more