Should you learn Italian from a native speaker, or is it okay to learn from a non-native teacher like me? It seems like a no-brainer, right?
“If I want to sound Italian, I need to learn from someone who was born and raised there!”
But here’s what most people don’t realise. Learning from a non-native teacher can actually give you an unexpected advantage.
Here’s what most learners assume:
“If I want to speak Italian properly, I need a native teacher. End of story.”
And sure, it sounds logical at first. But there’s a big difference between speaking a language… and teaching it.
Native speakers know Italian. But that doesn’t mean that explain why things work the way they do — because they never had to learn it from scratch like you and me. That’s where things get frustrating. When you ask: “Why do we need to use the subjunctive?” … and the only answer you get is: “That’s just how we express opinions and anything that’s or factual”
Ugh. It’s not very helpful. But as a mother tongue English speaker I help create a bridge between that two languages because I know that this form isn’t’ completely foreign to you after all. That we used to use the subjunctive in English all the time, and guess what? Some bits still survive!
You’ve probably said:
-
- ✅ If I were you…
❌ Not “If I was you” — this is the English subjunctive!) - ✅ So be it.
❌ Not “So it is” – this expresses acceptance of something uncertain or outside your control. - ✅ May the best man win!
❌ Not “The best man win”) – again, it’s a wish or hope for the future.
- ✅ If I were you…
So, while the Congiuntivo sounds fancy, it’s not totally foreign — we just forgot how to use ours.
Watch this lesson on my YouTube Channel
How I learned Italian FASTER – The Jane Austen Method
As a native English speaker who learned Italian as an adult, I understand first-hand what you’re going through. I know what it’s like to feel completely lost.
To stare at a verb table and think, “What on earth am I looking at?” To feel too embarrassed to speak — afraid you’ll get it wrong and sound silly.
I started from zero. Not just zero Italian — I mean I didnt even know what a verb was! But the more I studied, the more I began noticing patterns. Little connections between English and Italian that helped me make sense of the grammar, the structure, the rhythm.
Patterns that I share with my students. And there’s one insight in particular that changed everything. Here it is:
Speaking Italian is a lot like speaking English from the 1700s.
That’s when I developed what I now call The Jane Austen Method — my unique way to get into the right mindset to learning Italian by connecting it to how English used to be spoken.
Instead of seeing Italian grammar as something strange or complicated, you realise it follows the same elegant logic English once had. You’re not learning something entirely new — you’re remembering how your own language used to work.
Take this example, in Italian, it’s perfectly correct to say: “Sono venuta” – I came. But literally, you’re saying: “I am come”
Which sounds very weird in modern English…Except — that’s exactly how people spoke in 18th-century English!
Take this line from Pride and Prejudice:
“I am glad you are come back, Lizzy.”
That’s not a mistake. That’s just how English used to work — and how Italian still works today. Speaking Italian is like being a character in a Jane Austen novel. This is how we used to speak in English but Italian maintains this structure. So instead of thinking Italian is confusing, I started realizing…It’s just English with a powdered wig and a corset! And these kinds of comparisons, this ability to bridge the gap, is what makes learning from a non-native teacher so powerful.
4 Reasons Why Non-Native Teachers Have an Advantage
Let’s talk about the real benefits of learning from a non-native teacher. This isn’t about “better or worse” — it’s about what each type of teacher brings to the table. And non-native teachers have some unique strengths that are especially helpful for beginners and intermediate learners. Let’s break it down — with real examples.
1. Non-Native Teachers Understand the Learning Process
Non-native teachers had to learn the language step by step — just like you. They know what it’s like to stare at a sentence and think, “Why does it work like that?” Take this sentence:
“Mi piace il gelato.” (Literally: To me, ice cream is pleasing.) For native speakers, that just “sounds right.”
But a non-native teacher understands it needs to be decoded for learners — that the subject and object are flipped compared to English.
And they can break it down so it finally clicks. So again we can turn to Jane Austen for help. In Pride and Prejudice, My Bingley says:
“It shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing.”
He doesn’t say he likes the fact that Elizabeth cares for her sister but that “it is pleasing to him.”
2. Non-native Teachers Know the Mistakes You’re Likely to Make
Non-native teachers know the mistakes you’re likely to make, because they’ve made them too! Let’s look at this classic example:
❌ “Sono caldo.” ✅ “Ho caldo.” (I am hot → Literally in Italian, I have heat)
An English speaker thinks, I am hot, so sono caldo must be correct, right? But a non-native teacher can explain that in Italian, sensations like heat, hunger, or thirst are things you have, not are. They can show you patterns like:
- Ho fame = I have hunger → I’m hungry
- Ho sete = I have thirst → I’m thirsty
- Ho sonno = I have sleepiness → I’m tired
- Ho paura = I have fear → I’m scared
That kind of cross-language logic isn’t obvious to a native — but it’s crucial to learners.
3. A Non-native Teacher Speaks Your Language — Literally and Mentally
Let’s talk word-for-word translations.In English, we say: “What is your name?”
So learners often try to say: ❌ Che è il tuo nome?
But a non-native teacher knows that’s a false friend. And that the real Italian expression is: ✅ “Come ti chiami?” (Literally: How do you call yourself?)
They can connect the dots:
“Ah, Italians use reflexive verbs here — they call themselves, rather than ask what your name is.”
It’s not just vocabulary — it’s mindset. Non-native teachers know how to explain those mindset shifts clearly.
4. Non-native Teachers Understands the Emotional Journey of Learning
Language learning is emotional. It brings up anxiety, perfectionism, fear of sounding silly. A non-native teacher knows exactly what that feels like — and teaches with empathy and encouragement.
They’ll remind you that:
Making mistakes isn’t a failure — it’s how you learn.
Perfection isn’t the goal — communication is.
You’ve got this — even if it takes time.
Because they’ve lived it, too!
Learning Italian with the 80/20 Method
So, why am I telling you all this? Because I’ve lived it. Because I’ve lived every one of those struggles.As a native English speaker with Italian heritage who learned Italian as an adult.I know the struggles. The self doubt and feeling like I’d never be fluent. But I did, and I’ve now helped over 3,000 students from around the world start speaking Italian thanks to all my knowledge and experience over the years.
And through all of it, I’ve developed my own method. One that blends structure and clarity with cultural insight and a bit of fun. But I don’t just teach Italian the traditional way. I use what I call the 80/20 method — and it’s the reason why my students make progress so quickly.
Intrepid Italian: How the 80/20 Method Works
The 80/20 rule (also known as the Pareto Principle) is simple: 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. When applied to language learning, it’s a total game-changer. Instead of trying to learn everything, I help you focus on the 20% of Italian grammar, vocabulary, and expressions that you’ll actually use 80% of the time in real-life conversations. Fast. Simple. Effective.
That’s the foundation of all my Intrepid Italian courses, from A1 to B2. It’s not just a series of courses — it’s a step-by-step pathway I created specifically for English speakers who want to reach conversational fluency in Italian, without confusion or overwhelm. But I didn’t do it alone. I teamed up with a native Italian teacher. Together, we built every lesson to combine authentic Italian with crystal-clear structure and explanations.
You’ll get:
- Native pronunciation
- Real-life cultural insights
- And grammar that’s broken down in a way that just… clicks
So you’re not just memorising Italian, you’re understanding how it works. And you’re using it, from day one. If you’ve ever thought: “I’ll never get this”, “I’m too told”, “Grammar just isn’t for me”, or
“I wish someone could just explain it in a way that makes sense…”
Then you’re in the right place. I speak your language — literally. I’ve walked your path. And I’ve helped thousands of students gain confidence and finally speak Italian with ease. With Intrepid Italian and my unique 80/20 method, we focus on progress, not perfection.
Only real Italian, not textbook fluff. Ready to finally start speaking Italian?
If you found this guide useful, then you’ll love Intrepid Italian, my series of online self-paced video courses that break down everything you need to know about Italian using my 80/20 method. Visit IntrepidItalian.com for more details.
Are you a beginner or an intermediate Italian learner? Got a trip coming up or want to communicate with your Italian partner or relatives in Italian? Learn Italian with my unique 80/20 method
Registrations are now open to join Intrepid Italian, my new series of online video courses that use my unique 80/20 method. You’ll go from a shy, confused beginner to a proficient and confident intermediate speaker, with me as your trusty guide.
You’ll finally be able to connect with your Italian partner, speak to your relatives and enjoy authentic travel experiences in Italy that you’ve always dreamed of, and so much more.
As a native English speaker who learned Italian as an adult, I know what it’s like to feel hopeless and lack the confidence to speak. I know what it’s like to start from scratch and to even go back to absolute basics and learn what a verb is!
Intrepid Italian was created with YOU in mind. I use my working knowledge of the English language to help you get into the ‘Italian mindset’ so you can avoid the common pitfalls and errors English speakers make – because I made them once too! I break everything down in such a way that it ‘clicks’ and just makes sense.
No matter what your level is, there is an Intrepid Italian course for you, including:
- 🇮🇹 Intrepid Italian for Beginners (A1)
- 🇮🇹 Intrepid Italian for Advanced Beginners (A2)
- 🇮🇹 Intrepid Italian for Intermediates (B1)
- 🇮🇹 Intrepid Italian for Intermediates (B2)
You can join 1, 2, 3 or all 4 courses, it’s entirely up to you. The best part is that you have lifetime access so you learn anytime, anywhere and on any device.
As your guide, I walk you through each lesson, step-by-step, using my unique 80/20 method. My approach is different from traditional methods because I teach you the most important 20% of the language right from the beginning so you can start to speak straight away.
Each course includes video lessons, audio exercises, downloadable worksheets, bonus guides, a private support community, and lifetime access all designed to streamline your learning while having fun.
It even comes with my famous “Celebrate with a Spritz Guarantee”. After 30 days of using Intrepid Italian, if you don’t want to celebrate your new-found Italian skills with an Aperol Spritz, you don’t have to pay a penny! Cheers! 🥂 Join Intrepid Italian here and start learning today! Ci vediamo lì! (See you there!)
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