Ciao Italian lessons Instructor: Fabiana Papaleoni

My name is Fabiana Papaleoni and I am an Italian and Latin languages teacher and tutor.

I grew up in in Italy where I graduated in Italian Language and Literature at the Universita’ di Lettere e Filosofia in Parma. Simultaneously, I pursued violin performance and music studies at the Conservatorio di Musica “Arrigo Boito” in Parma. Embracing these academic activities allowed me to appreciate and study the connections between these different but related disciplines, enriching me with an interdisciplinary approach and knowledge to rely on as a teacher.

My experience as an educator started during my university years, when I worked as a music private teacher and tutor for elementary school children with special needs. I was a temporary elementary classroom teacher to 1st and 2nd grade pupils during 2007 and 2008. I coupled this job with being a professional violinist in orchestras and ensembles and performing in Italy and Germany.and at the same time I pursued Violin performance and music studies at the Conservatorio di Musica “Arrigo Boito”.

When I moved to the United Kingdom, I began learning English as a second language, and my own experience has helped me shape my profession as an educator of foreign languages. From 2010 to 2012, I worked as a part-time registered Italian, violin, and Latin tutor for Language House, FirstTutor, UKTutors, the Language Machine, Musicteachers UK, Tutorhunt, and providing tailored instruction to English-speaking beginners and UK College A-levels students at the Chris Polatch Foreign Language Courses in Winchester.

After moving to Norway, I attended the Norwegian Language, Culture, and Society for Foreign Students—One Year Program (NORINT) at the Universitet i Stavanger, which provided an enriching opportunity to learn Norwegian and to meet a wonderful, diverse community of students. During 2013 and 2014, I continued to work as an Italian tutor and course instructor for adult students from beginner (levels A1 and A2) to advanced (levels C1 and C2) at the “Allora.no” Language School in Rogaland, Norway, before leaving to settle in Saudi Arabia and then in the USA in 2018.

I work since Spring 2025 as Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New Haven developing and teaching an Italian Terminology and Culture course for instructors and students going to the semester in Italy.

I am currently an Italian Teacher at the AUX 3 POMMES, LLC Foreign Language School in Guilford and I work as Per Diem Substitute Teacher at the Guilford Public Schools.

I own the Italian Language teaching platform ciaoitalianlessons where I offer Italian language courses, private lessons, seminars about Italian Art, Music and Literature to Adult Education Centers (like in Hamden, Wallingford, Manchester) and Libraries, teaching both in person and online. I also offer private assistance to costumers in organizing trips to Italy.

My expertise as a foreign language instructor has expanded during the years, through the opportunity to instruct in various countries, interact with numerous students each of whom has unique requirements and expectations, and identify and create a learning path that addresses them appropriately.

I design and develop each student’s program based on their goals, level, and interests, with the help of a variety of materials. I personally create presentations and handouts, and I get support from printed books as well as online digital resources after I assess their value for the course. The use of technology is an essential tool in teaching a foreign language, and I rely on websites that offer a vast range of language exercises and games, videos, podcasts, audiobooks, and music, often easy and free to use, that can help efficiently with the progress of the learning, meet the student’s interests, and provide some entertainment. I offer my lessons in person as well as online, being aware of the invaluable advantages of distance learning.

When I am free, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, running and going to concerts and theater.