Italiano
Ciao a tutti! My name is Daniela. I am from Trapani, a seaside city in Western Sicily.
When I finished school, I found myself at a crossroads—or rather, a three-way choice: enrolling in university to study foreign languages, studying veterinary medicine, or joining the Italian Army. Three very different paths, but in the end, I chose the first one. I’m very happy with the person I’ve become, and I never completely abandoned the other two options.
Before finishing my university studies, I was already teaching Italian to foreigners. After graduating in Foreign Languages from the University of Palermo, I further solidified my passion for teaching! I I have always thought that was just the beginning, with much more to learn. So, I earned the CEDILS (Certification in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language) certification from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and later became an examiner for the CELI (Certificate of Knowledge of the Italian Language) exam.
In addition to teaching Italian, I also teach English, both for professional and personal purposes. I currently hold the CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) certification and teach English to various groups within the Italian Army.
In my free time, I enjoy sports, but don’t ask me to go to the gym; outdoor sports are much better for me! In fact, I do it not only to stay fit, but also to justify all the extra pizza and desserts I eat! The Italian cuisine is truly unique, but I’m a curious person, and thanks to my students, I’ve tried many delicious dishes from other countries!
I have a dog and a cat who despite everything get along really well. Both were adopted from my local animal shelter, where I volunteer on weekends.
The beauty of teaching Italian is discovering traditions, customs, and practices different from my own, getting in touch with people from diverse cultures, and yes, discovering their cuisines too.
I have to confess a secret: I hate spaghetti, especially with tomato sauce! My favorite dish is fish couscous, typical of Trapani, a legacy of the Arab culture that ruled Sicily for centuries.