About Italiano Italia
Since 2006, the Italiano Italia Language school has been providing quality Italian language classes to our neighbors in New York City and around the world.
By using a variety of materials and media our Italian Classes are always engaging, lively, and filled with plenty of conversation.
The moment our students walk into the classroom Italian is the only language they communicate in. Our small Italian class size setting allows us to constantly interact with each individual student.
Meet our dedicated team of experienced instructors,
all of whom come from different regions of Italy and have extensive knowledge of Italian culture, language, and history.
Patrizia Bigotti
Owner and Executive Director
I was born and raised in Rome. Following a specialization in Classic Studies, I graduated from the Sapienza University of Rome with a "Laurea Specialistica in Psicologia" (Psychology of Work and Organizations).
I have always been interested in human relashionships, and on a larger scale, in culture. This has brought me to complete a specialized course in Methodology of Social Research at the University of Sociology "La Sapienza" in Rome. During and after my studies I worked as a Social Psychological Researcher at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (C.N.R.) in Rome. At that time I was involved in multiple research studies; my main interest was the function of memory. The research on this subject appeared in my article “Validazione Italiana del Memory Functioning Questionnaire,” published by the “Bollettino di Psicologia Applicata” (2000, 230, 37-46).
When I moved to New York City I was not fluent in English and teaching Italian gave me the opportunity to put all my interests together. I love people, I love culture, and I love teaching. Creating Italiano Italia fullfilled all my desires. I consider Italiano Italia an Italian community, a cultural center, and most of all a place where you can learn and practice the language in the most effective and pleasant way. I want the beautiful Italian language to come alive through the Art, Film, Literature, Cooking, and Music of Italy. All our instructors are native Italians and are equally passionate about our approach. They are dedicated to helping our students in any possible manner as they study and prepare for their trips to Italy.
We look forward to meeting you and sharing our wonderful culture with you.
Vi aspettiamo.
Antonella Fongaro
Assistant Director
I was born and raised in Vicenza, Italy. I graduated from the Ginnasio Liceo A. Pigafetta high school where I majored in Classical studies. Art and history were my favorite subjects and I was fortunate to grow up in a beautiful town surrounded by palaces and villas designed by the renaissance architect Andrea Palladio.
After high school I moved to Padua where I graduated from the University of Padua Medical School. Here I obtained a Board Certification in Anesthesia and Intensive Care. Working for many years as a doctor was a wonderful professional experience that helped me to master my interpersonal skills by managing relationships between doctors, patients, and their families.
Since moving to New York in 1998 with my husband Valentino, I've started a new life that's as fulfilling as my previous one; a great new experience. When I met Patrizia we immediately found a deep connection and I’m really proud to work with her. We share the passion for our culture and our beautiful language as well as the joy of teaching to our students.
Francesca Piazza
Italian Trip Coordinator
Ciao, my name is Francesca. I live in Rome and I love to organize the best experience for your next trip to Italy. Patrizia and I already organized many journeys together with a wonderful outcome. We went with our students to Umbria, Lazio, and Tuscany.
Our next trip is to Puglia, however, we offer a program in Rome all year long. I cannot wait to meet you and share my passion for Art with you. Join us!
A presto Francesca
Oriana Di Caro
Italian Language Instructor
My name is Oriana Di Caro. I was born and raised in Rome and I moved to the United States in 2013. I have a master's degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Roma Tre.
My teaching experience started 15 years ago when I taught Italian to children at the Italian Bilingual School in Sydney, Australia, where I was living at the time. I soon discovered how much I liked to share my love for Italy with my students. Three years ago, has started a collaboration with Patrizia at Italiano Italia school. Teaching Italian has become a passion for me, and it is my goal to help you on this journey by making sure each class is motivating and full of culture. Let’s savor Italian sip by sip!
