Teaching and Learning Philosophy
Tailored Learning Experience
Discover our approach to teaching and learning Italian. At LearnIt Cambridge, lessons are tailored to your unique strengths and goals, ensuring every moment is effective and focused on helping you become a confident, fluent Italian speaker. Join dozens of students who have already transformed their language skills and started their journey with us.
Meet Our Founder
I’m Daniele Pio Buenza, the founder of LearnIt Cambridge. My journey in language education spans years of teaching Italian and English at renowned institutions in Italy and England, including the University of Cambridge and D’Annunzio University in Pescara. After completing my Ph.D. in Italian at Cambridge, I decided to return to my true passion: teaching languages.
This passion began during my academic years in Italy, where I earned both my BA and MA in Foreign Language Teaching (Glottodidattica) at D’Annunzio University, graduating with First Class Honours, magna cum laude. My goal in founding LearnIt Cambridge was to create a space where students of all levels can learn Italian effectively and with confidence, guided by expertise and a personalized approach.
Methodology Overview
At LearnIt Cambridge, we tailor every learning journey to your goals. Through dynamic, interactive lessons and regular feedback, we focus on building your confidence and fluency. Combining innovative techniques with cultural insights, we ensure each session is effective, enjoyable, and inspiring.
How We Teach
Preparation
Effective teaching starts with thoughtful planning. Each lesson is crafted with clear goals and tailored activities to meet your unique needs. Drawing on extensive experience, we focus on fostering independent use of Italian from day one. Our ever-expanding library of resources ensures every lesson is both enriching and effective.
Interaction
Our lessons, whether online or in person, bring collaboration to life. Each session blends reviewing homework, introducing new material, practicing in class, and engaging in conversation, all tailored to your needs. With a focus on pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and practical usage, we ensure a dynamic and comprehensive learning experience.
Evaluation
After each lesson, we review the teaching process and your progress, refining our approach to meet your needs. Your feedback plays a vital role, guiding adjustments to make lessons effective and engaging. By sharing insights and listening to your input, we foster a truly collaborative learning experience.
Our Guiding Principles
Personalization and Effectiveness
We believe that learning is most effective when lessons are personalized to the learner’s needs and goals. By adapting both content and structure to each student’s unique profile, we create a learning experience that is engaging, relevant, and impactful. Our approach ensures that lessons are energetic, well-paced, and carefully graduated, helping students build confidence and achieve faster progress.
Positive Learning Environment
We understand that mastering a language takes more than technical knowledge—it requires confidence and practice. Drawing from our own language-learning experiences, we create a supportive environment where students feel at ease speaking Italian without fear of judgment. This approach helps them overcome barriers, build confidence, and develop their skills naturally and effectively.
Why Learn With Us?
At LearnIt Cambridge, you will benefit from a teaching team that combines expertise with a genuine passion for helping students succeed. Whether in one-to-one sessions, small-group classes or courses, we are committed to providing an exceptional learning experience that is both effective and enjoyable.
In the next section, discover how your active involvement and approach to learning can make a difference in achieving your goals!
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Your Role in Learning Italian
In the previous sections, I shared insights about our teaching philosophy and methods at LearnIt Cambridge. Now, let's talk about your role as a student and how your approach can significantly impact your progress. Research highlights the central role of the learner in the language-learning process. While we, as teachers, guide and support you every step of the way, your mindset and effort are key to success. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your learning journey:
01
Be curious and persistent
Think like a child learning their first language—curious, persistent, and unafraid of mistakes. Stay motivated, and if your enthusiasm dips, reflect on why and take action. Keep asking questions, even if it means checking the same word or rule ten times. Experiment with the language and embrace the trial-and-error process as part of learning.
02
Immerse Yourself
Learning a language takes time and consistent exposure. Surround yourself with Italian as much as possible: watch films, listen to podcasts, read articles, and engage with Italian music or videos. Even a few minutes of practice each day can make a big difference over time. At LearnIt Cambridge, we can guide you to resources tailored to your interests.
03
Make Homework Work for You
Homework isn’t just about grammar exercises—it’s a tool to reinforce what you’ve learned and expand your exposure to Italian. Dive into activities you enjoy, whether it’s reading comics, playing language apps, or watching Italian movies. These fun tasks keep learning engaging and help solidify your skills. Homework also gives us valuable insight into your progress, allowing us to make lessons even more relevant.
04
Imitate and Experiment
Don’t be afraid to imitate the language you hear, whether it’s your teacher, Italian friends, or dialogue from a film. Repeating sentences and intonations builds fluency. At the same time, resist the urge to translate everything word-for-word—think in Italian and focus on communicating, even if it means working around words or rules you can’t recall.
05
Embrace Mistakes
Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re essential to learning. They guide your teacher in identifying areas for improvement and help you grow as a language learner. Don’t let the fear of errors stop you from speaking or writing—embrace them as stepping stones to fluency.
06
Speak Up
Practice speaking in every opportunity, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Speaking is key to building confidence and fluency, and the more you practice, the easier it becomes. If you’re nervous, remind yourself of your goal: having conversations in Italian.
07
Collaborate with Your Teacher
Share feedback about your learning preferences and experiences. Understanding your unique learner profile allows us to tailor lessons that align with your needs and goals.
08
Enjoy the Journey
Learning a language is challenging, especially in the beginning, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, and enjoy the process.