Meet our teachers: Francesca Ribaudo

Francesca is a remarkably skilled and knowledgeable teacher who, despite her young age, brings a wealth of experience to her classes. She has a natural ability to connect with students, making her lessons both engaging and effective.

Her passion for teaching Italian shines through in every session, and her students value her clear explanations, cultural insights, and supportive approach. Whether in group classes or private lessons, adults or children (yes, she is an amazing teacher with children and teens too!), Francesca’s professionalism and energy make learning Italian both rewarding and enjoyable.

She will teach in the Fall Term a new and exclusive course, currently offered only by IIS: Italian Diction. This course welcomes students of all levels, from BEGINNERS to PERFEZIONAMENTO, and aims at unlocking the beauty of the Italian language by mastering its sounds, rhythm, and flow. For more information, check this page.

Let’s get to know Francesca better with this interview.

• How long have you been teaching Italian? How long for IIS? 

I began teaching languages in 2017, when I met L, an Italian American from New York who wanted to reconnect with his heritage. Helping him reach out to his cousins in Sicily and speak with them confidently was an experience I truly loved. After that, I taught English in Italy, and since moving to the US in 2019, I have been teaching Italian full time (and some French, too). I have been working with IIS since January 2023, and I am deeply grateful for this wonderful journey.

• Where are you from? How often do you visit your hometown? What do you miss the most?

I was born in Milan, up in northern Italy, and grew up just half an hour north of the city. From my hometown, in less than an hour you can go shopping in Milan, take a stroll along beautiful Lake Como, or cheer at the races in Monza! I try to go back home at least once a year—twice if I’m lucky. That’s where all my family and friends are, and they’re definitely what I miss the most.

• What made you choose to become a teacher? 

My mom and my aunt were elementary school teachers, and my uncle was a learning and development specialist—so you could say teaching runs in the family! During college, I worked for a non-profit organization that led workshops in middle and high schools on online safety, legality, and prevention. That experience changed my life. I realized that, just as Gianni Rodari (famous Italian author) wrote, “Mistakes are necessary, useful like bread, and often even beautiful—just think of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.” That’s when I knew I wanted to become both a witness to, and a supporter of, many more beautiful and useful mistakes.

• What is your favorite Italian dish? Do you like cooking?

This is such a tough question—I love so many things! But if I had to choose, I’d say my brother’s desserts. He’s a professional pastry chef, and his panna cotta with peach coulis is simply unbeatable. As for me, I enjoy baking more than cooking. My specialties are a rich double chocolate cake and paste di mandorle, traditional almond pastries.

• Can you share with our students some tips for learning Italian faster? 

This is such a classic American question! Research shows that we remember more when we’re having fun. Why? Because fun increases dopamine and oxytocin—neurotransmitters linked to pleasure, reward, motivation, and learning! Enjoyable activities also improve attention and cognitive flexibility. In other words, a positive, low-stress learning environment helps your brain process and retain information more effectively. So don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the ride!
Also, think of your brain like a muscle. Would you go to the gym once a week for two hours and expect to get strong fast? Probably not! You’d train multiple days a week, in shorter but more consistent sessions. The same principle applies to practicing your Italian: 15 minutes a day is far more effective than two hours once a week. Need help creating a routine that works for you? Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher—they’re here to guide you!

• Is there a monument or place that you recommend our students to visit if they go to Italy?

This is probably harder than picking my favorite Italian dish! I’ll share one that’s a bit sentimental for me. My father is from Sicily, and my grandmother was devoted to Madonna del Tindari, who has a sanctuary in the town of Tindari, Messina’s province. The sanctuary sits on a cliff above a stunning beach with small salty lakes (La Riserva Naturale Orientata dei Laghetti di Marinello). According to legend, a mother brought her daughter to the sanctuary, the child fell into the sea, but the Madonna miraculously made the waters recede, saving her. The sand strip that formed is said to show the Madonna kneeling with arms outstretched. If you visit, prepare for steep roads—it’s absolutely worth it!

If you want to learn more about the entire team of teachers at IIS, please visit the About page on our website!