Marcello D
Marcello D
Certified Italian teacher teaching online since 2016.
Hi, I'm a native Italian teacher living in Salerno, a little city in the south of Italy near the Amalfi Coast.
I have been studying English and Spanish, so I know from experience that learning a language takes time and dedication. My aim is to make this process as pleasant and fun as possible.
I deal with many students around the world by giving language lessons, both in person, in Italian language schools, and online.
My passion for languages and my studies brought me to understand that languages are not just simple codes ruled by grammar norms, but that they are actually used to express ourselves as individuals with different backgrounds and cultures.
Lessons will focus primarily on the conversational aspect of the language by using textbooks and materials (e.g. PDFs, audiofiles, Googledocs) that I use in language schools in Italy.
Since I have the DITALS certification, I can help you pass CELI, PLIDA and CILS exams.
Flexibility will be guaranteed according to the student. All students will be asked to take a placement test that they will have to submit at least 3 days before the first lesson. We will be discussing the results during the fist lesson and then decide how to work together.
Since I also work in language schools, I strongly recommend booking in advance so I can arrange my agenda.
I’m ready, and you?
My availability
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Student Reviews
5.0 69 Ratings
Seb
75 Lessons | May 12, 2023
Before travelling to Italy last summer, I made a snap decision (after a couple of drinks) to book a few Italian lessons and found Marcello on LanguaTalk. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Since then I have had lessons at least once a week and every time one finishes I'm looking forward to the next one. Having only learnt (and mainly forgotten) a bit of rudimentary French at school, at 39 I have found learning a new language to be hugely beneficial to my life. It has challenged parts of my brain not used for years and has provided consistent focus and reward. With such a focus on mental health nowadays, I would strongly recommend pursuing another language as I believe it can have such a positive impact. Marcello has been the perfect conduit for all of this. He balances the technical elements of teaching with fun, conversation and humour and has taught me much about the culture and life in Italy. He is excellent at building up a rapport and putting you at ease, but also ensures that he takes the lessons at the right pace for your ability. I look forward to many more years of learning the beautiful language and hopefully I will continue to do so alongside Marcello!
Michelle
75 Lessons | February 13, 2023
I’ve had 5 lessons now with Marcello, after trialing more than 8 other tutors on this platform and another. I selected Marcello as my primary teacher to help me achieve Italian proficiency for a couple of reasons. 1. He’s experienced, and is a professional language teacher. His passion is language teaching and it shows. 2. While many teachers offer “innovative” teaching methods, I was looking for someone who would work through a textbook with me, splitting our time across reading, writing, listening and speaking, and formally learning grammatical concepts. A textbook is very important as I like the concept of building on a foundation and seeing where I’ve been and where I’m going. Teachers who use random materials from the internet miss the opportunity to build confidence with known vocabulary and grammar. 4. He’s available when I need him in my time zone. 5. He corrects my spoken errors but doesn’t interrupt every time I make a mistake. Lots of teachers do this and it destroys confidence and make me lose track of what I’m trying to say, which is disillusioning. Marcello corrects me while being interested in what I have to say. The pace is good and Marcello is a nice guy - I look forward to our lessons! Thanks Marcello!
CMark
83 Lessons | July 13, 2022
A half century ago I earned my undergraduate degree with a double major in French and Spanish. I had the best teacher for most of my French courses--decades later she became Dean of Humanities--Dr. Betty Becker-Theye. She set the standard for exemplary instruction and motivation...I had no other professor like her; until now--as I near 73 years of age and face poor health, I have once again had the good fortune to find another such source of expertise and compassion; motivating me to once again experience the satisfaction, joy, and pleasure of learning a foreign language. The young man--my professor--is Marcello de Santis. I highly recommend that you enhance your Italian learning experience with his knowledge and outstanding abilities.
Joel
21 Lessons | June 30, 2022
As a lifelong logophile, one who has studied four languages and some linguistics, I decided to learn Italian when I retired, both for the pure enjoyment and for the “mental exercise.” After studying on my own for a year, I started lessons with Marcello. This was a good move. Marcello has brought to the lessons a healthy balance between structure and flexibility. His academic background and his interest in linguistics, as well as his experience in and passion for teaching helped him craft a lesson plan perfect for my level, one that has challenged me and met my needs. At the same time, he has encouraged questions and demonstrated a genuine willingness to go off on tangents, with the goal of assuring I’ve understood the material and my questions have been answered. He brings patience, enthusiasm, creativity and playfulness to our lessons, which all help me feel more comfortable with the vulnerability one naturally experiences making the inevitable mistakes learning to speak another language. I’m grateful that he has introduced me to aspects of Italian culture, history and geography to which I heretofore had little exposure. This has enriched my language learning as well as broadened my horizons. In short, I highly recommend learning with Marcello. He is a true professional, a gem of a teacher!