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 in 1998 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.
Francesca Piazza
Italian Trip Coordinator & Assistant Director
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, Tuscany, Puglia, Naples.
All year long we offer a program in Rome.
I also teach online and I cannot wait to meet you and share with my passion for the Italian Culture. Join us!
A presto Francesca
Antonietta Cacace
Italian Language Instructor
I was born in Naples in Italy and I graduated in foreign languages and literature at the University of Naples. After specializing in foreign languages and Literature, I obtained a master's degree in teaching Italian for foreigners at the Faculty of Siena. I started my teaching path at the immigration center and for Italian schools for foreigners in my beloved city. After some years of experience I moved to New York where I continued to teach Italian at the Italian school of Patrizia Bigotti, director, teacher and above all a beautiful person. Teaching is my passion and to be able to transmit the Italian culture and language to my students is a great satisfaction. Teaching a foreign language breaks down walls and barriers, creates empathy and influences sociability in students.
I cannot wait to meet you!
Andrea Camillo
Italian Language Instructor
Ciao, I’m Andrea! I was born in Rome and earned my Master’s Degree in Italian Studies from the University of Roma Tre, specializing in Contemporary Italian Literature, Publishing, and Creative Writing. With over a decade of experience in the book publishing industry, I later became a CEDILS-certified Italian teacher. In Italy, I worked as an elementary school teacher and taught Italian as a second language to immigrants and refugees of all ages before continuing my teaching career in New York City. I love sharing my passion for the Italian language and culture, and my students constantly inspire me to see my own language in new ways. To me, learning Italian is more than just mastering a language—it’s a way to have fun, express yourself, connect with loved ones, and follow your passions. When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me reading, discovering new stories, or taking long walks around New York City.
