Ciao! sono sofia!
You might have seen me on Instagram sharing tips about the Italian language and culture, but let me introduce myself properly.
I’m an Italian teacher with a background in Linguistics, and my journey started in Italy, where I completed my studies… but life had other plans for me!
Right after graduating, I moved to Singapore... for love :) My boyfriend at the time (now my husband) was transferred here for work, and that’s how my adventure abroad began.
Once I arrived, I started collaborating with local schools that promote the Italian language, as well as international schools. Over time, I had the chance to work with students of all ages and levels, which helped me shape my teaching style: practical, communicative, and focused on real-life Italian.
In 2022, I decided to start my own journey and create something more personal. That’s when I launched my Instagram page @soitalian_sofia and began sharing Italian in a way that feels authentic, relatable, and connected to everyday life!
WHY "so italian"?
I chose the name So Italian because it’s something my students often say during class. Whenever I explain a cultural habit, an expression, or a typical Italian behavior, they smile and say: “This is so Italian!”
And I love that! Because language is culture, not just grammar.
But there’s also a personal touch: “So” is how some of my friends call me (others call me Sofi, spelled with a final -i or -y as in Sofy), so the name felt like the perfect mix between who I am and what I teach.
MY APPROACH
I truly believe that learning a language is not just about memorizing rules, but about feeling comfortable expressing yourself. That’s why in my classes I focus on connection, communication, and creating a relaxed environment where you can be yourself. Because when you feel at ease, learning becomes natural, and even fun.
SOME FACTS ABOUT ME
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I live in Singapore with my husband and our white cat, Perla 🐾
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I love reading, doing yoga, and anything creative...especially painting and drawing
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I spent a semester studying in Scotland, which made me fall even more in love with languages and different cultures (and Scotland!)
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I speak Italian (of course ahahaha), English, Spanish and I studied French, Russian, German and the basic of Mandarin, Catalan and Scottish Gaelic!
Team
We’re the voices you’ll hear, the faces you’ll laugh with, and the people cheering you on as your Italian improves. Get to know the team behind your lessons!
AGNES
Agnieszka teaches private lessons, duo lessons, groups lessons and conversation clubs. Ciao! My name is Agnieszka and I have lived in Singapore since 2012. I was born and raised in a small town in Poland and that’s where my “Italian” journey has started. I studied Italian for several years during my high school and university days and I simply fell in love with the language. I decided to follow the advice of my favorite Italian teacher and to pursue my passion, I obtained the CILS C2, the highest certification which indicates a mastery of the Italian language and allows me to teach Italian as a foreign language and that is what I have been doing for the past 6 years here in Singapore. After graduating from university with a master's in economics, a real journey through many continents began. Going back and forth between Switzerland and Caribbean islands to finally settle down in Singapore taught me that the world is much bigger than we imagine and that every nation, country, and continent is not as homogeneous as we like to think about them. And that the individual identities, customs, and ways of expressing ourselves make the world unique and only by being open and curious and willing to learn different languages do allow us to step outside our comfort zones and to discover millions of interesting things about others which very often leads to new and beautiful opportunities. Beside being passionate about languages, in particularly about the way we communicate, I spend a lot of time practicing my favorite martial art, Brazilian ju jitsu. Bjj teaches you a very important lesson, to show up. That’s the most valuable teaching, to show up even when you are not 100% ready, even when you don’t feel like doing it. You show up, you do your best whatever that means on that given day and you should be proud of yourself for showing up. And believe me it’s very easy to say but it’s harder to do it but for a dedicated teacher and a dedicated student sky is the limit and I am not talking only about learning Brazilian ju jitsu :)
anGELICA
Angelica teaches conversation clubs. Ciao! I’m Angelica, I’m Italian, and at the moment you’ll find me in Madrid, where I’m finishing my studies in cultural management. While Italy has always been my home base, I have this “micro-tendency” to move around quite a bit. I’ve spent time living in Vienna, London, and for some months now, I’ve been happily adopted by Madrid. Despite all this traveling, my favorite place in the world is Bologna. That’s where I went to university, met my international circle of friends, and actually started my journey as a teacher. It all began with "conversation clubs," where we’d practice Italian over coffee — or the occasional Aperol Spritz, let’s be honest — and we turned language learning into an experience centered around building a community. Since I’ve lived abroad so much, I know firsthand how challenging it can be when you're trying to navigate a new language. But I also know that amazing feeling when everything finally starts to click. To me speaking a second language is like unlocking a new personality, and I’m here to help you find your "Italian alter ego" within our community of fellow learners. To tell you a bit more about myself: I live for anything that has a story to tell—whether it's a live musical, an opera, a classic book, or a great movie. I also love staying active, trying out different sports and I really enjoy going for a run to clear my head. Lately, I’ve been working on my own Spanish "alter ego" by learning how to dance salsa. It’s teaching me a great lesson: just like with a language, you can study all the steps you want, but eventually, you just have to get on the dancefloor and start moving. Our conversation club is going to be exactly that—our dancefloor!
MICHELA
Michela teaches private lessons, duo lessons, groups lessons, conversation clubs and mini themed courses. Ciao! My name is Michela and I’m a certified Italian teacher who’s been teaching for seven years. I’m very passionate about languages, culture, and connecting with others. I recently moved to the Netherlands after spending 15 wonderful years living in Singapore, which will always have a special place in my heart. I’m originally from Bologna (which is where ragù is from, so I’ll always take pasta very seriously…), a lively city with beautiful porticoes, rich culture, and amazing food. My journey to teaching has been rather unique; I originally studied engineering, and I worked in the energy sector. This experience taught me so much about communication and finding a common ground so that I can better adapt my teaching style to each of my students. I used to volunteer at contemporary art museums as a docent, where I had the privilege of sharing culture with others, which is something that I enjoy implementing in my Italian lessons. Apart from Italian, I also speak English and French, and I am currently in the process of learning Dutch, so I truly understand both the struggles and joy of learning a new language. In my lessons, I aim to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere where students feel comfortable, supported, and inspired. I believe learning a language should be an enjoyable experience, so I like to bring in elements from everyday life, including everything from advertisements, movies, songs, and news, to make each class engaging and meaningful in preparing you for real Italian conversations. Outside of teaching, I love art, animals, reading, and spending time outdoors with my family. I look forward to meeting you and helping you discover the beauty of the Italian language!
VALERIA
Valeria teaches private lessons, duo lessons, groups lessons, conversation clubs and mini themed courses. Ciao! My name is Valeria, but I love it when people use the short, friendly version: “Vale.” I’m Italian, and I have always felt a deep attraction to and curiosity about other languages and cultures. This passion has led me to travel extensively since I was a teenager and participate in numerous international projects, both within and outside of Europe. When I was 13, my Italian teacher told me I would be a perfect fit for a Classical High School (liceo classico). However, I had already decided that I was going to study languages – and that’s exactly what I did! I chose to stick with languages at the university level as well: after a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation, I specialized in Sociolinguistics. I then went on to complete a PhD, where I delved into language acquisition and teaching. Since finishing my PhD, I have worked on a project focused on intercultural communication in the context of Italian as a Second Language (L2), as well as training future Italian L2 teachers. In my experience teaching Italian language and culture, what I enjoy most is observing how my students' native languages interact with Italian. I love rediscovering our languages together as we work toward the goal of communicating fluently in Italian. In my free time, I love reading and cooking, spending time in nature (my favorite activity!), going on treks and long-distance hikes, and exploring vintage markets.