We’ve had the pleasure of introducing several of our teachers to our blog readers, but now it’s time to learn more about Martina Di Biase, the Executive Director of IIS. Martina is a charismatic leader who is guiding IIS towards new goals and greater visibility and achievements. In addition to her role as Executive Director, Martina also teaches our popular Leggiamo Insieme online group, and you can always find her at our events and in our offices.

Let’s hear directly from Martina and discover more about her.

• How long have you been the Executive Director of IIS? What is your goal in managing the school?

I became the Executive Director of the Istituto Italiano Scuola (IIS) in October 2021. My start also coincided with a significant change in our Board of Directors, which allowed me to completely renew the image, brand, and strategy of the Institute. Together, we established that our main goal was, and still is, to follow our mission to promote the Italian language and culture in the Bay Area and beyond, moving away from the stereotypical image of Italy that many are commonly exposed to. Moreover, we aim to create a community, either in-person or online, of people who want to have an immersive experience in contemporary Italian culture, not only through language but also through all the cultural events and workshops we organize.

• What do you think is the main reason for a student to choose IIS instead of other schools?

The main reason a student chooses IIS over other schools is that IIS is not just a school. IIS is an open window to Italy, where one can have immersive experiences, not only in person in the heart of North Beach in San Francisco but also online. All our teachers are native Italian speakers with degrees from Italy, which is not something all schools can claim. And let’s not forget that being part of the IIS community opens the door to numerous discounts at our many partners across the United States. To call it merely a school is an understatement; IIS is much more—it’s a truly immersive experience in Italian language and culture.

• What do you look for in a teacher to become member of the IIS team?

To become part of our team, you need to be an extraordinary teacher because, as I’ve mentioned before, we don’t just teach a language; we are ambassadors of authentic ‘Italian-ness.’ We have the highest number of special classes in the United States, ranging from art and literature to geography, cinema, and music. To be one of us, you certainly need professionalism, but also passion and creativity, because we don’t limit ourselves to just studying a couple of grammatical formulas.

• You are a teacher yourself, with several years of experience. What made you choose to become a teacher? Which is, in your opinion, the best way for a teacher to have a successful outcome within a class?

I began teaching Italian to foreigners while I was still at university, initially thinking of it as a hobby, which then became my main profession and for which I earned specialized degrees. I loved teaching in Italy to foreigners because each person brought a piece of the world with them, helping me to broaden my cultural horizons. Now that I am the ‘foreigner,’ I enjoy bringing my piece of the world, my Italy, to my students.

In my class Leggiamo Insieme, we do just that: we read Italian novels together, and through the books, we learn about Italian history, society, and culture.

I think that to be successful in a class, a teacher must be interesting. There is nothing worse than a boring, rigid lesson where phrases and grammatical rules are listed impersonally and without context. Languages are alive and learning a language means learning to think in another way. A teacher must convey this; otherwise, it becomes just a transfer of knowledge, which nowadays can be done by AI.

• Where are you from? What do you appreciate the most about your hometown?

I am from Pescara, in Abruzzo, a city I left after high school to attend university in Bologna. Pescara is a small city on the Adriatic Sea, home to great writers like Gabriele D’Annunzio and Ennio Flaiano. It’s a quiet place, definitely off the tourist trail because, for being in Italy, it’s a relatively new city. It’s a lively seaside city, especially in the summer when it transforms into the epitome of the Italian summer—filled with swimming, walks on the beach and along the main street, aperitifs, ice creams, and stylish clothes. What I love most about Pescara is its carefree holiday vibe. Pier Paolo Pasolini once said of Pescara, ‘Pescara is splendid. I believe it is the only case of a city, a real city, that exists entirely as a seaside city. The people of Pescara are proud of it,’ and I agree with him.

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

I love Bologna, the city where I studied and where my son was born. I recommend it to everyone who visits Italy because it’s an extraordinary city, full of history, culture, and phenomenal food. The University of Bologna was the first university in Europe, and this has always given Bologna a place at the forefront of culture—modern, liberal, transgressive, and at the same time classically beautiful. Walking from the city center, through the longest portico in the world, to the church of San Luca, and from there looking over the city and its beautiful surrounding hills, is an experience I highly recommend.

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

I love to cook, but above all, I love to eat, and it’s hard for me to think of just one favorite dish. In fact, there isn’t a single dish that I don’t like. If I really had to choose, I am very fond of the simple dishes of Abruzzese tradition, as my grandmother used to cook them, like timballo, sagne with chickpeas, pasta and peas… very simple things that remind me of my childhood.

Achieving the Italian citizenship is a dream for many, whether because married to an Italian or because having Italian ancestors. For all the final goal is to be able to interact with confidence using the Italian language when visiting Italy to connect with their roots and family.  

Istituto Italiano Scuola (IIS) offers a unique opportunity to make this dream a reality, by helping our students master the B1 Italian language exam, a key requirement for getting the Italian citizenship. 

B1 Italian Exam – Your Gateway to Citizenship: 

The B1 Italian language test is a crucial step for those seeking Italian citizenship through marriage or residence. It assesses intermediate language skills, ensuring you can effectively communicate and integrate into the Italian society. 

IIS’s Tailored Approach: 

Our specialized program is designed for students with an intermediate understanding of Italian. Through Zoom classes, we provide comprehensive training in all aspects of the language – reading, writing, listening, and speaking, aimed at ensuring success in the CELI B1 exam. 

Why Choose IIS? 

Expert Instruction: Our experienced instructors are adept at guiding students through the intricacies of the Italian language. 

Convenient Learning: With online classes, you can learn from anywhere, ensuring flexibility and comfort. 

Focused Curriculum: Our courses are specifically tailored to prepare you for the B1 exam, enhancing your chances of success. 

Join us at IIS to navigate the path to Italian citizenship with confidence and ease. Our dedicated program ensures you are well-prepared to pass the B1 Italian exam and take a significant step towards your Italian citizenship goals. 

Take a look at our offerings on our website page dedicated to the Citizenship: Citizenship | SFIIS 

We offer 2 different types of group courses, 8 weeks long, meeting once a week to review and practice with key grammar points (Preparation Course – Grammar Boost | SFIIS and Preparation Course Convo Pro | SFIIS) 

We also offer our students the possibility to practice the test, with a 2-hours dedicate test simulation (B1 Exam Simulation | SFIIS). 

And once a month you can also enroll in a workshop to get a better understanding of the B1 exam, where we’ll go over an overview of different exam sections, focusing on the written test by completing an exam writing task and revising it (B1 Test Overview | SFIIS). 

Start your journey towards Italian citizenship today. Embark on this exciting journey with IIS! 

If you consistently read our blog, you might know that in our previous blog posts we already introduced some of our teachers. We believe that getting to know them better is crucial for the success of our school. We are fortunate to have highly prepared and talented teachers, not only proficient in teaching Italian but also exceptional in creating the perfect atmosphere for our classes. They make learning fun and engaging, which we acknowledge is not always easy, especially in evening classes after a long day of work. 

To learn more about the entire team of teachers at IIS, please visit the following page on our website: About us | SFIIS. 

Among our outstanding teachers, Alice excels at making learning in our classes both enjoyable and engaging. Today, we take the opportunity to get to know her better. 

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

I’ve been teaching Italian after my Master Degree at University of Genoa in 2011. I wrote and presented a Thesis of Literacy and Italian Teaching to Foreign Adults. My first experience was in a special school for adults who wanted to study Italian for their own business and to be more integrated to the country. And I also joined a Research project at University of Genova to teach Italian to African and Afghanistan refugees fleeing from war and violence suffered in their own home country. 

I started teaching for IIS in May 2022. My best work experience ever! 

• Where are you from? What do you appreciate the most about your hometown? 

I’m from Genoa, a beautiful city by the Ligurian Sea, close to Cinque Terre. I love living in Genoa. It has many things to see and visit: the most important Historical Monumental Cementary and the biggest old town in Europe. It’s the perfect city if you like to chill out on the beach or go for a hike in the mountains. Or you can lose yourself in the narrow streets, vicoli, looking at ancient monuments, towers and beautiful palaces as if you were in Medieval Age. 

And if you come to Genoa, don’t forget to eat the authentic Pesto and Focaccia.

• What made you choose to become a teacher? 

I chose to become a teacher of Italian as a Second Language because I’ve spent most of my life studying English as a foreign language and I understand how it can be frustrating studying a foreign language, but how beautiful and satisfying is speaking in a non-native language. Thinking and dreaming. It’s like having a superpower! 

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

I like eating pizza but I don’t like cooking. When I was a child, I liked observing my grandmothers making gnocchi, tagliatelle or tortellini from scratch. Not having learnt their cooking traditions is my biggest regret, but I’ll have these memories for the rest of my life as a precious legacy. 

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

Be completely involved in the Italian culture thanks to our team of teachers. Ask many questions and be curious!!! If you deeply understand a culture, you can have the best and strongest motivation to be a perfect Italian speaker! 

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

As a Genoese I recommend visiting the biggest Lighthouse in Europe, the Lanterna di Genova, symbol of my city and a special place to see the Liguria cost from East to West. If you are lucky, it’s possible to see Corsica Island and France from its top too.  

And acqua in bocca! The Lanterna is taller than the Statue of Liberty!! 

Teachers are the key element in a language school and at IIS we take pride in our teachers’ experience and quality of teaching. All our teachers have been doing this job for some time and, most importantly, love teaching and are passionate about helping their students learn our beautiful language. Our students can feel this drive to quality teaching every time they have a class, being it a group class or a private class.  

Please remember that you can take a look at the entire team of teacher at IIS, on our website page About us | SFIIS. 

One of the teachers who is best at sharing her passion for teaching Italian with her students is Giulia. And today we are getting to know her better. 

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

I have been teaching Italian for over 10 years. I started by teaching Italian to immigrants in Turin while I was working on my research project for my master’s degree thesis. I joined the IIS about a year ago when I moved to California from Australia. 

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

I am originally Italian, but I lived for the past 10 years in Sydney, Australia. My hometown is Turin, which I try to visit once a year. What I miss the most is the golden light of September over the river Po, the dehors full of people enjoying a drink and a chat, and being familiar with the faces that I cross on the street. 

• What made you choose to become a teacher?  

I love all language related things, and I strongly believe that knowing the language of the place where you live, or that you visit allows you greater freedom and the opportunity of a deeper understanding of a culture. I want my work to be meaningful for others. Being a language teacher allows me to help people realize their dreams, whether they are moving to a new country, better connecting with their roots or improving their professional life. 

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

At present, I am obsessed with baking “baci di dama”, which are two melt-in-your-mouth hazelnut cookies held together with some dark chocolate.  Their name means “lady’s kisses” since the two halves of the cookies resemble two lips that come together for a kiss and are typical of Northern Italy.  Overall, I love cooking, I find it relaxing and enjoy inviting friends over for dinner. 

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

Set aside some time for Italian every day. Five minutes is enough. Listen to a song, or a podcast, read a news update, or a recipe, or combine Italian with other interests/activities you enjoy. Whatever works for you is the right way to improve. Try to meet and talk with native speakers and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Showing up every day: that’s the only way to learn. Have fun and be proud of being willing to learn a different language. 

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

Visit Turin, my hometown. Turin is full of castles, parks, beautiful museums, hip restaurants, cafés and bars. It is green, romantic, young… We call it the little Paris for a reason. And you won’t find it packed with tourists like other Italian destinations. Visit Palazzo Reale and the breathtaking collection at the Museo Egizio. Have dinner at Cianci and get a glass at Pastis to enjoy it like a local. 

Teachers have a crucial role at IIS, so we believe that helping our students to get to know them better is one of the main goals of our Blog. Starting from this article, we will introduce our teachers every few weeks, so that you can learn something more about each of them. 

To start, we recommend looking at our page About us | SFIIS. 

Today we got the chance to have a chat with Mattia Milone, who is teaching both group and private lessons at IIS, both online via Zoom and in person in our new headquarters. 

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

I’ve been teaching Italian for almost 10 years. I started at IIS 4 years ago. 

• What made you choose to become a teacher?  

What I love the most about teaching my language is that I feel like a deliverer of new ways of communication for those who have never learnt it before. Learning a new language, most of my students say, is like discovering a new side of oneself. It is gratifying for me to witness the moment when they find that out. 

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

I’m from Milano, but was born in Puglia, where now I visit the most when I’m overseas.   

Of Puglia, I miss a lot of things. The list is long: swimming into the sea -we have an Ocean here in Northern California, but we cannot really enjoy it!- certain flavors, sounds of the dialect, focaccia & raffo beer, vestiges of Mediterranean past civilizations… 

Of Milan, I miss going to La Scala – but I find the Symphony here in Oakland almost as great. I also miss the opportunity to walk and see lots of people in the streets, enjoying restaurants open till late. I miss my friends, my familiarity with people and places. I miss the beautiful unpredictability of certain events you can encounter only in Italy.  

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

It would be easier to ask me what is NOT my favorite Italian dish, and even then, it would be hard to find one. No, I do not particularly enjoy cooking. I enjoy my wife’s cooking. Even though she is American, she cooks like an Italian nonna: same rituals, same patience, same expression of creativity.  

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

There are many. But if I have to choose one, I would say Castel del Monte in northern Puglia. 

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

Do not get discouraged when grammar seems hard, or when you cannot reproduce the same exact phonetic sounds. Emancipate yourself from any sort of inhibition. Speak even if it is not always correct. The more you speak the more you learn. And, most importantly, have fun! 

Istituto Italiano Scuola was founded in 1998 with the mission of teaching the language and promote the culture of Italy in Northern California and beyond. 

As a non-profit organization, we are committed to providing a stimulating and engaging environment in which to learn Italian, while simultaneously exposing students to the rich diversity of Italian culture and tradition.  

Therefore, we promote the Italian language and culture with the broadest range of language courses, from beginner to proficiency, along with special events and workshops. 

High-quality education with social and cultural gatherings creates a truly immersive environment that ensures the learning of the Italian language and a brief experience of the Italian lifestyle.  

We truly want our students to experience the essence of the Italian culture, learning from our experienced instructors, who are native Italian speakers and hold a degree from Italian universities.  

We envision a world where performance and entertainment are combined so people experience joyful moments within their busy lives. 

The purpose of this blog is to share with our students and all the people passionate about Italy knowledge on the Italian language and culture, as per our own mission as a non-profit.

You will read articles written by our teachers and special guests, sharing interesting information about Italy and its traditions; curiosity about our workshops; details on our special events.

And don’t hesitate to tell us what you would like to read about: our goal is to share as much information about Italy as possible, promoting the Italian language and culture.

It will be our way to make you feel part of our community even more!

We hope you will enjoy reading our blog and feel free to comment on any one of our posts, we love hearing what you think about what we’ve been talking about!