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
New! 2023 Matta and Lucca Italian School Language Program
Language. Culture. Lucca’s Medieval City Walls…and so much more! 2023 Matta Andiamo Lucca! Italian Language Program Thursday, Aug 24 – Saturday, Sept 2, 2023 2023 Matta & Lucca Italian School Language Program (2023 Program Price: $4,300) save your spot in Lucca with a $500 deposit The 2023 Program Includes: 10 Days / 9 Nights /…
Read More New! 2023 Matta and Lucca Italian School Language Program
Lesson on Italian Direct and Indirect object pronouns – a review
Lezione sui pronomi italiani diretti e indiretti – un ripasso Anche se sono in Italia con il mio gruppo di studenti ad Ascoli Piceno, sto ancora lavorando con gli studenti negli Stati Uniti attraverso il “miracolo” di Zoom! Lavoro con una studentessa in particolare che frequenta un corso di italiano a università. L’altro giorno aveva…
Read More Lesson on Italian Direct and Indirect object pronouns – a review
Le parole “lasciare” & “mollare: significati e una piccola storia delle rane—Youtube Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8NvZD4AE-E Ciao a tutti! Bentornati nel mio canale. Oggi vorrei parlarvi di due parole simili. Infatti sono sinonimi: LASCIARE e MOLLARE. Conosci queste due parole? I want to talk to you about the two words “Lasciare” and “Mollare”. Have you come across these two words before? Cominciamo con “Lasciare.” Let’s begin with Lasciare Che significa questa parola?…
Read More Le parole “lasciare” & “mollare: significati e una piccola storia delle rane—Youtube Video
Notizia! Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo Italian Language Program June 2023
Language. Culture. Arezzo’s Jousting Festival… and so much more! Se quest’anno mi hai seguita sul blog, su Instagram o sulla pagina Facebook di Matta, sai che sono tornata ad Arezzo DUE VOLTE quest’anno. Sono stata ad Arezzo nel giugno 2022 per il programma di lingua italiana 2022 ad Arezzo che organizzo annualmente con la mia…
Read More Notizia! Matta & Cultura Italiana Arezzo Italian Language Program June 2023
Matta Italian Words and Expressions — August 2022
“Matta” parole e espressioni agosto 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…
Andare in Bici — Biking Lucca’s Wall: Around and around we go!
Una delle cose che preferisco fare a Lucca è noleggiare una bicicletta e fare un giro sulle mura medievali che circondano la città. Quale modo migliore per rilassarsi che pedalare lungo il viale alberato sopraelevato, fermandosi di tanto in tanto a sedersi su una panchina del parco, leggere un libro o guardare il mondo che…
Read More Andare in Bici — Biking Lucca’s Wall: Around and around we go!
Elisabetta Maccani’s Masterclass is back: Italian Fluency & Confidence.
View Post Elisabetta Maccani’s Masterclass is back: Italian Fluency & Confidence. The Italian Fluency & Confidence program starts September 12. You can still signup to take part in this unique program. Sign up for Eli’s Italian Fluency & Confidence Masterclass Program Stavo chiacchierando con Elisabetta l’altro giorno, che è un’esperta quando si tratta di formazione…
Read More Elisabetta Maccani’s Masterclass is back: Italian Fluency & Confidence.
Who made the biggest and best snowman of them all? Michelangelo of course!
Domenica scorsa ho visitato Firenze per soli 5 euro alla ricerca di Michelangelo e delle sue sculture, anche una che si è sciolta quasi appena l’ha finita! Last Sunday I visited Florence for only 5 Euros in search of Michelangelo and his sculptures—even one that melted away almost as soon as he finished it! Cosa…
Read More Who made the biggest and best snowman of them all? Michelangelo of course!
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
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.
