Leading people who are crazy about Italy, giving them insights into language and culture, and helping them overcome learning doldrums, and frustrations.
I’m Melissa, but people know me as Studentessa Matta – The crazy student – because every day I dive head first into the Italian language and use it wherever I am, whether in Italy or at home.
I want to show you how to improve your Italian and help you become more conversant.
My goal is to inspire you to learn the language and introduce you to a slice of Italy you might not know about by either traveling with me, conversing with me, or reading posts and novels in which I write about Italy.
Follow along with me, and let yourself go a little “matta” and find out how quickly you can overcome your anxiety and frustration with traditional methods as I help you to build your own unforgettable language learning experience.
Chat Italiano! Conversation Practice.
NEW: One-on-One Italian Coaching/Tutoring
Chat with me in Italian OR
Sign up for One-On-One Italian Coaching/Tutoring Session
I’ve heard it so many times before, “I can read and understand Italian, but when I speak, I get tongue-tied!” Sound familiar? With Chat Italiano, you can regularly practice Italian with me, supplementing online or evening language classes.
Looking for a language coach to practice your Italian skills? Do you need help understanding Italian grammar? Now you can schedule a One-on-One Italian Coaching/Tutoring session to receive personalized help and get answers to language questions.
Chat or Tutoring Session: 30 min / $25
Andiamo in Italia
Travel with me to Learn in Italy
The 2022 Matta Andiamo in Italia! Italian Language programs are now available to sign up! Next year THREE programs are available: Arezzo (June 12-24), Lucca (Aug 25-Sept 3), Ascoli (Sept 11-23).
Join Melissa and her Italian School Partners in Italy to learn Italian. Perfect for couples or individuals. Open to all language levels. During the mornings, we study at a partner school in classes perfect for your language level. In the afternoons we go on adventures and excursions. We sink our hands into pasta dough, raise our wine glasses, laugh, dance, and chat the evenings away in Italian with teachers and Italian friends. You will travel with like-minded individuals and make memories and friends to last a lifetime. Andiamo in Italia!
Price (without airfare): $4,150
At Home in Italy
Ready to take your language skills to Italy and live and study in the home of your Italian teacher?
At Home in Italy is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in language and culture for one or two individuals in a city that interests you and at a time that fits your travel schedule. Homestays combine formal study with everyday family activities.
Make new friends and experience a different side of Italy few tourists see, and return home closer to being bilingual than when you left.
Price Variable based on Season, Location, Teacher. Price range per week: $1000 to $1,500
Matta Youtube & Podcast
Listen and follow along with the Italian audio with transcripts found on the Matta blog.
Read the award winning Dual Language Italian Blog
The Matta Blog features articles that focus on Italian culture & language learning tips.
Travel to Italy in the pages of Melissa’s novels set in Florence, Arezzo, Montepulciano & Sicilia
It’s a fun way to immerse in Italian culture and learn the language too! Waking Isabella has been translated into Italian. All books are available on Amazon in Print, ebook, and Audiobook.
Price: 16.99
Join the “Matta” Leggiamo Italian Language Book Club!
What a NOVEL idea! Che idea fantastica! Practice your reading comprehension, auditory listening skills, and conversation abilities. The goal of the Matta Book Club is to have fun, laugh, and learn together!
Two Book Club Enrollment Options:
Option 1: Group Book Club Up to 5 People
Eight Week Course, 1-hour Weekly Meetings
Price $200
Option 2: One-on-One Individual Book Club
Eight Week Course, 1-hour Weekly Meetings
Price $400
Experience Italy the Matta Way!
The Matta Andiamo In Italia! Italian Language Immersion Programs
Arezzo Spring: June 12 – 24, 2022
Lucca Fall: Aug 25 – Sept 3, 2022
Arezzo Fall: Giostra/Joust Weekend
Sept 3 – 5, 2022
Ascoli Fall: Sept 11 – 23, 2022
Sign up now! Spots are limited.
Latest from the Blog – Dive into Italy and Italian
From the Multi-Award Winning Blog about Culture & Italian Language
Join the 2022 Fall “Matta” Leggiamo Italian Language Book Club
Vuoi migliorare il tuo italiano leggere libri e chiacchierare in italiano? Want to improve your Italian by reading books & conversing in Italian? Sign up for the 2022 Fall “Matta” Leggiamo Italian Language Book Club What a NOVEL idea!! Che idea fantastica! Beginning the week of October 17th, 2022 we will be reading & discussing:…
Read More Join the 2022 Fall “Matta” Leggiamo Italian Language Book Club
Pinguini Tattici Nucleari are super hot this summer!
Conosci la band italiana Pinguini Tattici Nucleari (Tactical Nuclear Penguins)? Have you heard of the Italian band called the Pinguini Tattici Nucleari (Tactical Nuclear Penguins)? Per quanto io ascolti musica italiana su Spotify, mi sorprende che non abbia sentito parlare del gruppo prima di giugno. As much as I listen to Italian music on Spotify,…
Read More Pinguini Tattici Nucleari are super hot this summer!
Matta Italian Words and Expressions — July 2022
“Matta” parole e espressioni luglio 2022 Practice Matta Parole on Quizlet with flashcards! New Italian Words and Expressions to Learn! Durante il mese scorso ogni settimana ho pubblicato una parola o un’espressione combinato con un’immagine sulla pagina di Facebook di Studentessa Matta. Queste sono parole casuali che mi sono imbattuto durante la lettura o che ho…
“Figurati” or “Figuriamoci” — what’s the difference? Go figure!
La differenza tra “Figurati” e “Figuriamoci” – qual è la differenza? Diamo un’occhiata a queste due espressioni. “Figurati” e “Figuriamoci” — what’s the difference? Let’s take a look at these two common Italian expressions. Naturalmente, “Figurati” e “Figuriamoci”” sembrano uguali, e a volte possono essere utilizzati in modo intercambiabile, altre volte, a seconda del tono…
Read More “Figurati” or “Figuriamoci” — what’s the difference? Go figure!
Do you know what a “Cicerone” is?
Un fatto divertente da condividere al tuo prossimo cocktail party! Here’s a fun fact to share at your next cocktail party! Sai cos’è un “Cicero” e da dove viene quel termine? Do you know what a “Cicerone” is and where the word is derived? La parola Cicerone nel dizionario italiano significa “guida.” Ad esempio, puoi…
Steamy summer nights call for hot Italian Netflix movies!
Le calde notti estive chiedono film italiani su Netflix! Steamy summer nights call for hot Italian Netflix movies! L’estate si sta scaldando e anche Netflix con tantissimi film italiani! The summer is heating up, and so is Netflix with lots of Italian films! Ultimamente, tanti film e programmi TV sono disponibili su Netflix in italiano!…
Read More Steamy summer nights call for hot Italian Netflix movies!
2022 Matta & Ascoli Piceno September small group Italian program — meet the teachers and take a virtual walking tour of the town — Youtube video
There are still openings available for the 2022 Ascoli Piceno Italian Language Program! Join us this September! 2022 Matta & Ascoli Piceno September small group Italian program — meet the teachers and take a virtual walking tour of the town with Antonella the director of the school— Youtube video https://youtu.be/GnMz7pW8-9k Just published! A new YouTube Video…
Homestay Italian language vacation in Pisa with Emma — a great alternative location to Florence!
Homestay Italian language vacation in Pisa with Emma — a great alternative location to Florence! Emma is an Italian language teacher and she is simply delightful. Previously she hosted students in Rome and now she is opening her home in Pisa to students who would like to immerse themselves in language and culture. [su_spoiler title=”Make…
Matta Fall 2022 “Leggiamo” Book Club: “Prima regola non innamorarsi” di Felicia Kingsley
Sono lieta di annunciare la seconda edizione del Matta Italian Book Club! I am pleased to announce the second edition of the Matta Italian Book Club! Questo autunno, a partire da ottobre, leggeremo un romanzo di Felicia Kingsley (un’autrice italiana di successo di Modena, non lasciateti ingannare dal suo cognome!) This fall, starting in October,…
Read More Matta Fall 2022 “Leggiamo” Book Club: “Prima regola non innamorarsi” di Felicia Kingsley
What They’re Saying
Sheree Isola — 3-time trip participant — talks about her experience in Italy with Melissa!
Bill Bahr — 2-time trip participant — talks about his experience in Italy with Melissa!
Karina Kagramanova, Andiamo in Italia Small Group Language Participant: This was the best trip of my life! From the moment I heard Melissa’s podcast, I felt I found my kindred spirit. An incredible woman with infinite love for Italy and the Italian language. This program was worth every cent I spent and even more. Everything was so thoughtful, not only did we have interesting excursions but also trips to bio farm, cooking lessons, and wine tasting. The excursions, views, and dinners were fabulous!
Daniel Bayer, At Home in Italy Italian Homestay Participant: I had a fabulous time staying with Cristina in Trento in September. The opportunity to be fully immersed in Italian from morning to night took my language abilities to an entirely new level. Cristina was wonderful to be with— very friendly, with a wide range of interests (from art to film to sports), and always helpful and supportive with my clumsy attempts to speak Italian. A bonus was that Trento is a great place to stay. It is a lively city in a beautiful location surrounded by mountains, not overwhelmed by tourists, and close to many attractions from Venice and Verona to the Dolomite mountains and Lake Garda. The experience couldn’t have been better.
