For complete beginners and those with a little knowledge (i.e. have completed WEA languages for Fun and Travel course). Covers basic grammar with conversational practise. Digressions into culture will bring the language alive for you. There is a short break between terms. Textbook required : New Italian Project 1a Beginners available from Intext Book Company (covers chapters introductory and 1 approximately in the first year).

This course is taught by one of the following WEA Tutors:

Natalia Corbo

Natalia Corbo has been teaching at WEA since 1999. 

Natalia holds a BA DipEd (Sec) DipEd TESOL.

Rosa Filosi

Rosa Filosi BA, Dip Ed has been teaching at WEA since 2018.

Rosa has been teaching Italian for a very long time. It is her passion, not to forget the language of her ancestry, and her duty and right to hold onto what is her heritage. If she is not reading a newspaper she is watching Italian TV in her spare time, or reading a good book. She also undertakes voluntary work which requires the use of her mother tongue.  

Since it has been her experience for children at school who learn languages to see it as an imposition, Rosa chose a long time ago to switch audiences and teach adults, those who have traveled and returned to Australia with a renewed interest in Italian and a respect for it too. She appreciates working with students who want to learn for themselves without viewing it as an imposition.

Maria Mazzone

Maria Mazzone has been teaching at WEA since 2020. 

Maria has a BA Bachelor of Arts, a Diploma in Education in Italian and Teaching English as a Second Language, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Juana Alice Mauri

Juana Alice Mauri has been teaching at WEA since 2023. 

Juana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Languages from the University of South Australia and is currently in the process of completing a Master of Teaching (Secondary), with a major in Italian and a minor in English. 

Her academic background, combined with her passion for languages, has equipped her with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach Italian effectively. She has experience teaching Italian to students of various levels, from complete beginners to those with intermediate knowledge. 

She is passionate about sharing the beauty and richness of the Italian language and culture with her students. Her teaching philosophy is centred around making learning an enjoyable and immersive experience. She strives to create an engaging and supportive classroom environment where students feel motivated to participate and learn.

Juana comes from Italy, from an area close to Milano, which adds an authentic touch to her teaching and helps her provide students with valuable cultural insights.

Dr Ilenia Scuderi

Dr Ilenia Scuderi has been teaching at WEA since September 2023. 

Born and raised in Aprilia, Italy, Ilenia is a qualified pastry chef and language tutor with an Italian Pastry Diploma, Italian teaching qualification and a Degree in Philosophy.

Ilenia loves teaching the Italian language to adults and strongly believes that exposure to Italian culture is important to the understanding of the language.

Tony Iammarrone

Tony Iammarrone BFin, MBus (Acc), DipCA has been teaching at WEA since 2024.

Tony started his career as a Chartered Accountant working for various public practice firms, which led to forming his own Chartered Accounting Practice. Eventually he moved out of this area and started private tutoring in various subjects for secondary school and early university students.

Tony’s family spoke Italian at home when he was young. His grandparents didn’t speak English, and his parents were learning English at the time. He was raised bilingual, learning English at school. During his schooling years Tony also attended Centro Didattico, an educational centre focused on teaching students with an Italian background.