Individual classes/ private tutoring Testimonials
“I have reached something beyond my expectations - namely being comfortable speaking, hearing and reading a second language.
If you have made the commitment, for whatever reason, to take individual lessons in order to study and learn a foreign language, you would probably have several expectations. Among them might be finding a capable and experienced teacher with whom you are comfortable and who has the ability to help you achieve your objectives for taking lessons. You might also be expecting guidance in choosing how you should best structure your time between grammar and vocabulary study, reading material for discussion, and just plain conversation on topics of your choice. This latter would likely lead to a better understanding of the culture and life styles of the country whose language you are studying. And then I think the total experience needs to be an enjoyable one as you work to accomplish whatever goals you set for yourself.
I have studied Italian with Roberta Torgerson for ten years. During that time, I have not only accomplished the above “wish list”, but feel as if I have reached something beyond my expectations - namely being comfortable speaking, hearing and reading a second language. Roberta deserves most of the credit for this. She has excellent teaching skills and makes corrections in a positive and supportive manner. Beyond working with me on the necessary “nuts and bolts” of learning a new language, she has provided me with a continued desire to enhance and improve my understanding of what makes the Italian language so fascinating. For example, learning about Italian idiomatic phrases (and their derivations) from a native speaker is an aspect of studying with Roberta that I have particularly enjoyed. I am sure that it is her love of the language along with her enthusiastic approach that is largely responsible for maintaining my interest in studying with her for this length of time. I am sure that my Italian has substantially improved and in so doing it has been a most enjoyable process. At the end of each lesson, I can never believe that our time is up. I am looking forward to many more years of studying Italian with Roberta.”
“One of the most thrilling and electric learning experiences of my life.
I have the privilege and pleasure of recommending Roberta Tauriello Torgerson to all of you. I have studied Italian with Roberta since 2007 and it has genuinely been one of the most thrilling and electric learning experiences of my life. She is an excellent, caring, highly knowledgeable, fun, and compassionate teacher who inspires and encourages me. Roberta has a complete grasp of both Italian and English and has a strong desire to share her knowledge. Roberta has always maintained high expectations and has sent me away from lessons excited and motivated to learn more. It absolutely has been worth every effort. She has asked me to do independent research, read literature, and learn more about facets of Italian culture and history, among many other things. Some of my fondest memories of our earliest lessons are of drinking wine and tasting Italian cheeses and describing our experiences. When I finally traveled to Italy in 2009, I felt completely prepared, and I was. There were many, many great instances during our trip when Italians would smile and compliment me on my communication skills and my efforts to not just be another American tourist. The journey was much more profound than that. There were even moments during our trip when my ability to communicate in Italian actually became quite necessary. Roberta prepared me very well for all of it. Our adventures had so much more meaning, and I definitely owe it to my excellent teacher. In a larger sense, Roberta has done more for me than to just teach me Italian, too. In the process of learning a new language, I have become a calmer, more confident person. I find I am able to relax and breathe easier when I am in the spotlight. Roberta has also helped me to rethink how I communicate in English, too, which has impacted my business and my relationships, and I am still in the process every day. I enthusiastically recommend Roberta Tauriello Torgerson as your Italian teacher. ”
“Working with Roberta has been a huge treat.
I am a senior at Roosevelt High School. I began taking Italian lessons from Roberta at the beginning of the year for my senior project which was to learn Italian. I have enjoyed it so much that I am still taking lessons in June even though I finished my project in March. I can’t stop! Her passion for Italian and creativity with teaching makes learning fun and exciting. I have learned a lot from her. When I visited an Italian class at my future college, the professor said that she would move me up to the second or third level of Italian when I came in the fall. That was after taking lessons from Roberta for only a few months! Working with Roberta has been a huge treat and I am so sad to be leaving her next year. ”
“She encouraged me to speak Italian spontaneously and not worry about whether I had the grammar and vocabulary perfect.
A professional editor for 30 years, I have been studying Italian with Roberta Tauriello Torgerson for about seven years. When we began, in 2004, I had recently returned from a wonderful trip to Italy, and I was eager to learn the language. Roberta was recommended to me by a friend who is also a longtime student of hers. I have always studied with Roberta one-to-one, preferring the more intimate environment to a classroom.
One day, early in my Italian studies, I arrived flustered for our weekly lesson and immediately apologized to Roberta for not finishing my homework. She told me the last thing she wanted was for me to be sitting outside in my car frantically trying to complete the homework before the lesson began. Greatly relieved, I laughed, admitting that I had been doing exactly that. This was the moment when I realized Roberta understands how to teach adults. Her intuitive, flexible approach to teaching has worked very well for me.
She encouraged me to speak Italian spontaneously and not worry about whether I had the grammar and vocabulary perfect before talking. This was a very important lesson for me, a person with deep-rooted perfectionist tendencies.
I have learned a lot of Italian in my years of studying with Roberta, and I have had a lot of fun doing it. She is warm, bright, and energetic and has a lively sense of humor. I never fail to enjoy our time together. ”
“An absolute dream.
The intimate class size and lack of classroom-like drills made my introductory Italian class an absolute dream. The anxiety I’ve experienced in previous language classes doesn’t exist with percorsoItaliano. Our instructor, Roberta Torgerson, was very encouraging and celebrated our progress with such energy and charm. I will be back for the intermediate class!”
“I would recommend this course to anyone.
I recently completed the percorsoItaliano course, and I found it to be very enjoyable and worthwhile … lots of opportunity to hear and practice spoken Italian and review some grammar in a comfortable small-group setting. Roberta is a very enthusiastic and engaging teacher. She is highly capable and obviously enjoys teaching. I would recommend this course to anyone interested in advancing their Italian language skills at the intermediate level.”
“Innovative teachers who make you a better student.
The teachers at percorsoItaliano (I have studied with both Roberta T. and Elisabetta V.) are true professionals. They are intellectually engaging and challenging educators who pour energy into their work and delight in the process of teaching. Roberta and Elisabetta are innovative teachers who make you a better student. They have an unambiguously deep love of the Italian language and culture that stimulates learning that lasts. Class is always a pleasure as well as a challenge.”
“Willing to tailor a course to my special needs.
I feel very lucky to be a part of your program. Elisabetta is an outstanding teacher: knowledgeable, experienced, kind, and fun! It was wonderful to find an Italian language program so willing to tailor a course to my special needs. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in Italian!”