Valenti Lingua Italian Language School

Fantastic experience: I can’t say enough good things about learning Italian with Davide. I had followed a dream and purchased a home in Italy and figured I should probably learn the language. I spent a year using online apps. They gave me a good foundation, but they really lacked the nuances needed to really learn Italian. I was left wondering why or how something was the way it is. Working with Davide not only filled in those gaps, but really took me to the next level. Davide teaches the important things from a textbook, but he does more: he gets you into pop culture like movies, tv shows and music to help you really learn how Italians use Italian and that is a huge benefit for me. He’s a great teacher and a really great person. He critiques and corrects in a pleasant, patient and constructive way that helps you. Learn Italian with Davide, you’ll be glad you did!

Fantastic experience: If you truly want to learn Italian, Davide is the absolute best! His classes are fun and Davide is not only patient (lol) but unbelievably helpful. I wish I hadn't waited so long to finally sign up - it's been the best decision and has taken my love for the Italian language to another level. Don't Wait!!

Fantastic experience: After several years of studying on my own here and there and using the occasional app, I decided to finally knuckle down on my Italian and take lessons from Davide. His teaching style has really helped me progress and I have been able to actually USE my Italian, instead of just typing in an app. Highly reccomend!!!

Fantastic experience: Davide Valenti is the best language teacher I’ve ever had – and I’ve studied several languages, including Italian, throughout my life. The main reason he is so effective, is that he is bilingual and speaks both Italian and English. As a result, he understands the ‘deep’ structure of both languages and is outstanding at explaining Italian grammar. He is also a very experienced teacher and is familiar with the best textbooks and approaches for helping students, no matter their primary language, to learn to speak, understand and read Italian. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in studying Italian

Fantastic experience: Meraviglioso! I started in Italian 101 and I am so grateful our class has evolved into 102 (& hopefully 103 soon). Davide’s classes are well paced, fun & his knowledge of the language is vast - from history to modern dialect. I hope to be fluent someday & this has been a wonderful place to start & progress quickly. Grazie Davide!

Fantastic experience: I have attended both 101 and 102 group lessons with Davide and looking forward to 103. He has structured the courses well for adult learners. I feel challenged but never lost with assignments, and he has a nice way of correcting/ helping you find the root of any mistakes. He wants you to succeed and is genuinely passionate about the language and culture.

Fantastic experience: Ciao a tutti! Valenti Lingua is the best! My wife and I have been taking private lessons together for over a year now. Davide is an amazing teacher and an even better person. We consider him our friend. I couldn’t recommend taking lessons with Valenti Lingua more. Davide ensures that we understand the content and encourages us to apply it into real conversations. It’s incredible to reflect and see how much we’ve already learned. We plan to continue lessons for a long time! If you’ve ever wanted to learn the language then Valenti Lingua is the only choice!

Fantastic experience: I have been taking private weekly lessons via zoom with Davide since the fall of 2023 to prepare for a summer 2024 sabbatical trip to Italy. I didn't think I would continue with lessons after my trip but was enjoying them so much, I decided to keep going. He has a very easy going and positive teaching manner. He is a stickler for proper pronunciation and grammar but when he corrects you it is done in a very matter of fact and non-judgmental way. His lessons combine textbook and workbook tools along with video tools, which makes you feel like you are really making progress. Davide is a good teacher....if you put in the time, you'll learn Italian!

Fantastic experience: Learning the beautiful Italian language with Davide is fun, challenging, and rewarding. If you have been thinking about crossing this off your bucket list for years (as I was), stop thinking and JUST DO IT! He is legit! He breaks it down into manageable yet thorough lessons and he is kind, funny, and gracious if you struggle. I look forward to joining his next class when offered.

Fantastic experience: Great learning experience. Davide focused on the key concepts. Little grammer was done but an introduction to verb conjugation was done towards the end; I liked this as conjugation is what scares a lot of people off. Davide mixed in some life experiences of his Italian heritage and living in Italy which lightened up the class. Thx, Davide. I'll be back for Italian 102.

Fantastic experience: Davide e un professore molto bravo! I just recently completed his Italian 101 and I’m looking forward to 102! I was nervous when I began his class but he immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome. He explains things in ways that are easy to understand and offers praise as well as constructive criticism. He also adds humor to his lessons, which makes the classes a lot of fun. Overall I would highly recommend Davide!

Fantastic experience: I have been studying Italian with Davide just shy of two years. I am extremely satisfied with my progress learning a new language thanks to him. The pace of the class is very reasonable. We have stayed on schedule with finishing each chapter on time. I have never felt behind and was able to divide the assignments up in very reasonable parts during the week including a day off. This has allowed me to still be able to balance other life responsibilities. If you do happen to miss a lesson you can watch the recording at a later time. The structure of the class is very relaxed. Davide is extremely personable and I never felt like I couldn’t ask a question. With his good sense of humor it makes the class more enjoyable to the point where I felt like I was conversing with a good friend while learning another language. It also has made me feel like I’m enjoying a new hobby instead of being in a “class.” One of my favorite things was using more than just the textbook. Davide shows us how we would use the material in real life situations such as meeting people, little pieces of Italian etiquette, or going to a restaurant. These come from his first hand experiences not just a textbook saying they are correct. We also are assigned comprehension questions for an Italian show which made me see how it all comes together. At any point during the lesson or correcting assignments if he thinks of anything that can tie into the lesson he will give a brief explanation and add it to the lesson. This “big picture” approach has really helped me improve quicker and smoother than expected. All of these are proof of how passionate he is for all of us. I am always surprised how fast the night goes. Please consider Davide if you are passionate about learning Italian. It will be a very enjoyable journey.

Fantastic experience: This is the best language online language school I have attended by far. Davide is super knowledgeable and takes time to explain challenging linguistic concepts. He is a native Italian speaker but also grew up in the US and studied Spanish, so he can readily explain nuances of Italian grammar to English and Spanish speakers. My Italian speaking skills have advanced quickly with the courses I have taken at Valenti Lingua. From watching Italian videos to engaging in conversation in class, I have had an opportunity to practice reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Davide holds his students accountable and provides an opportunity for well-rounded learning not available through apps or other online courses. I cannot recommend Valenti Lingua more highly for students who are serious about really learning Italian!

Fantastic experience: If you really want to learn the Italian language, and not just learn to speak Italian, then Valenti Lingua is for you. My mother's family is Italian. Most of my cousins and aunts and uncles speak Italian and a number of them live (or lived) in Italy. I have been a frustrated Italian language student longer than I care to admit. I tried multiple language learning platforms over the years and never really gained critical mass or retained much of what I learned. Then I found Davide. I have been working with him for a full year now and have learned more Italian , retained more Italian, and enjoyed using my Italian more than ever before. The secret sauce is simple, Davide is passionate about teaching the language, he has a very robust and engaging approach, and he genuinely cares about my progress and experience. If you have a busy life, no worries, his program is super efficient and flexible. The workload is manageable and yet impactful. I will be his student for the foreseeable future as I work towards complete fluency. I highly recommend Davide! P/S, if you want to make him really smile, talk about Italian food with him, it's his achilles heel

Fantastic experience: My wife and I have been taking private lessons from Davide for over a year, and we've enjoyed every minute! The lessons are well paced, and Davide ensures that we focus not just on grammar and written work, but also on listening, speaking, and pronunciation. We highly recommend Davide as an excellent teacher and resource for anyone looking to learn Italian.

Fantastic experience: A couple of years ago, I started taking group lessons to refresh and deepen my Italian language skills with Davide. This was crucial for me, as it had been quite some time since my last formal study of Italian. The group setting provided a solid foundation, but it was the Italian film class with Davide that truly challenged and delighted me. Though difficult, the class offered an entertaining and immersive way to engage with the language. As my learning journey continued, I set a new objective: to complete our textbook. To achieve this, I transitioned to private lessons with Davide, which allowed for a more personalized learning experience. Our sessions have since expanded beyond traditional grammar exercises. Recognizing our mutual passion for music, Davide and I incorporated it into our curriculum. Discovering Italian artists has not only been a joy but also a unique lens through which to explore idiomatic expressions. Although our musical tastes don't always align, Davide's openness to explore my musical finds and delve into the lyrics has made learning Italian even more fun for me. Both the group and private lessons with Davide have been exceptional. The weekly meetings ensure consistent progress, creating a rhythm that motivates preparation and participation. Each upcoming class serves as a gentle but effective nudge not to fall behind, making the learning process more effective. In sum, my experience learning Italian with Davide has been nothing short of transformative. Whether through the structured challenge of grammar lessons, the cultural immersion of film analysis, or the joy of music exploration, each lesson has been a step forward in my language journey. I highly recommend Davide's classes to anyone looking to explore the Italian language in a comprehensive, engaging, and enjoyable way!

Fantastic experience: I first met Davide about 10 years ago. He was recommended by a colleague of mine who was taking private lessons from him. I contacted him to prepare my daughter for her sophomore year of college in Florence, Italy. She was a student at Pepperdine University. I have been taking private lessons now for a year and a half. He has a gift for teaching Italian. He is passionate about the language and is Italian. He knows the culture. He accommodates to the student's learning method and teaches at the student's pace. He is meticulous regarding grammar and pronunciation. His goal is for the student to be able to communicate and sound like a native speaker. My first language is Spanish, and Davide is fluent. He has a degree in Spanish. This has been tremendously helpful. Both languages have similarities, and this has been very beneficial in comprehending verb tenses, sentence structure and other aspects of grammar. Learning a second language has activated a certain part of my brain which hadn't been used. My memory has significantly improved, and my reading speed and retention is unreal. I highly recommend Davide as an Italian professor.

Fantastic experience: Where to start?! My husband and I are so lucky to have found Davide! We decided to take up Italian as we want to move there for a few years. Learning a new language sounded so daunting until we met Davide. He makes learning fun and accessible to all and he has become more like a friend than a teacher to us. We look forward to meeting with him every week! There’s no other way I would want to learn another language and it has brought new excitement to my marriage too! I highly recommended taking lessons with him.

Fantastic experience: Valenti Lingua Italian Language School with Davide is highly recommended! He is thorough, patient and encouraging. It can be challenging and intimidating to learn anything new, especially a language, but I felt comfortable through the whole course and learned a lot by the end of just 10 weeks. I look forward to learning more and hopefully becoming fluent one day. This is THE person to study with and you will be so happy with your results!!

Fantastic experience: Davide is an excellent teacher! I had been wanting to take his class for quite some time and finally had the opportunity in my schedule, and I’m so glad I did! These classes fly by and you learn so much! I found myself enjoying the homework and becoming excited when I realized I could comprehend the grammar. I cannot wait to continue learning the beautiful Italian language and to take more classes with Davide in the future. I highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: I’m a retired pediatric anesthesiologist wanting to learn Italian to communicate with our granddaughter who is bilingual English-Italian and for our upcoming trip to Italy. Davide Valenti is exceptional! His materials are plentiful and forthcoming, making learning easy. He is so interesting retelling stories of growing up in Sicily as we practice difficult grammar, rules of the language and conjugations. This is my first virtual Zoom class and he made it seem like my classmates and I were actually sitting in his living room with him. I can’t say enough about Davide’s excellent offering as a teacher, and great man to spend your time with. I’m looking forward to our next class together! Thank you Professor Valenti! Gratefully Lisa Dado MD

Fantastic experience: I am so grateful to have found Valenti Lingua! I have learned so much in just the first course, and Davide has made it so much more fun and interesting than any Italian class I took in college. He has a way of explaining Italian that makes it easy to follow and absorb, including class material, recordings, videos and other recommendations outside of the class as well that have made for a well-rounded experience. I can't wait to go back to Italy and speak more fluently than ever before! Grazie mille, Davide!

Fantastic experience: My wife and I began taking private lessons as a couple in June 2022 and have absolutely loved getting to learn together. Davide customizes the learning approach to meet our needs and is a fantastic teacher. Private lessons provide a great environment to really learn, ask questions, and go at your own pace. If you’re looking for something fun to do with your significant other, then I’d highly recommend Davide’s private lessons!

Fantastic experience: TLDR: TAKE HIS CLASS. Davide is a damn good teacher of Italian. He is strict, but not. He demands participation, but it never feels pressured, and he's accommodating & supportive when life happens & students aren't prepared. He's funny, tells good Italian stories, and gives good Italian resource suggestions like movies to watch. 2 hours of class flies by. It's engaging, fun, no need for embarrassment; when we're wrong, he corrects kindly and gently, often like an afterthought in delivery. So he's very encouraging, but also doesn't let us learn "wrong." His explanations are very clear with good examples. He has adjusted class pace to REAL LIFE -- yes, you need to study and do homework. But in a week's time it is never an overwhelming amount! His decades of instructor experience show, he is fantastic. PS Zoom format is great, totally works for these classes.

Fantastic experience: Really great classes and flexible. I learned so much!!

Fantastic experience: Davide was great to work with! I needed assistance in preparation of my B1 exam and David helped curate a study program for my specific needs. Passed!!! Thank you Davide!

Fantastic experience: If you are wanting to learn Italian the right way you'd be a fool not to take Davide's class. As with any language learning it takes time to learn and memorize vocabulary but when you begin to learn those words you will easily be able to fit them into and structure proper grammar after taking Davide's classes. He makes the class fun and interesting. He is serious about helping you learn and you can tell. This is not just a side gig to him. He thoroughly enjoys teaching his students. I recommend this class to anyone who is passionate about learning the Italian language.

Fantastic experience: Davide is an excellent teacher and extremely knowledgeable in the Italian language. My grandparents are Italian and I have always wanted to learn the language. When I had my son, I decided to take lessons so I could teach him and speak Italian in our home. I’m so glad I found Davide. He is extremely accommodating to my busy and ever changing schedule and really tailors the experience and class. I am very pleased with the progress we’ve made in a relatively short amount of time and enjoy my classes each week. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.

Fantastic experience: I decided to tackle a new language and Davide has far exceeded any expectations as an instructor . He is very organized, structured, and welcomes class participation in a very encouraging, non threatening way. Unlike any of online apps. out there, he teaches practical applications and not just memorizing phrases. My friend and I take the class together and we actually love studying and speaking Italian. We both are excited for the next session!

Fantastic experience: Davide is a great teacher. His classes are well organized and his presentations encourage participation from everyone during class so you really use what you learn.

Fantastic experience: My husband and I wanted to learn Italian together to challenge ourselves and bond over a new goal. We have been working with Davide for about 8 months and we have both repeatedly said that is one of our favorite things we have ever done in our marriage! Davide is a fantastic teacher - he is patient and positive and flexible with our pace and learning styles. We are learning so much and having a blast doing it together!! 10/10 we would recommend private lessons with Davide and would encourage any couple to do it!! It’s often the highlight of our week and we love speaking Italian around the house and dreaming about future trips to Italy!

Fantastic experience: Truly impressed with this class. Davide is a great teacher. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to start learning Italian!

Fantastic experience: I am extremely pleased with my experience with Davide and his school, Valenti Lingua. Davide loves teaching and his knowledge of all aspects of Italian has made my lessons with him both educational and fun. Since his parents are both native Italians, he was raised in an environment in which Italian was primarily spoken which is evident in his grasp of all nuances of the language. I strongly recommend Davide to anyone who sincerely wants to learn what can only be described as a beautiful language.

Fantastic experience: Davide makes learning Italian fun and is so helpful with all his teaching tools and knowledge of the language. It was really intimidating and hard for me due to my demanding job, juggling kids/life and someone 50+ struggling to learn a new language for the first time was challenging. Davide is a patient, great teacher, and someone very passionate about the Italian language, Italian food and travel!! He was a homerun in my book :-)

Fantastic experience: Davide's class was great! He was always respective of time. Content was just enough to help with learning and remembering but not overwhelming. He's extremely knowledgable and explains things well without overwhelming you. If you're looking to up Italian speaking skills he's your teacher!

Fantastic experience: Fun, knowledgeable, and a great resource. Hands down the best Italian teacher I've ever had.

Fantastic experience: I was in Davide’s Italian 101 class and he was honestly the best language professor i’ve ever had! He made sure to throughly explain the language and the thought process behind the rules. I will be moving to Italia very soon and I can say that I feel much more prepared. Thank you for everything Davide!!

Fantastic experience: Davide is very knowledgeable and great teacher. He made it fun and easy to begin learning a new language while also learning a lot.

Fantastic experience: I took both private and group lessons with Davide and I highly recommend taking lessons with him if you are considering learning Italian. I’ve learned so much from him and not only is he an excellent language instructor, he makes the class fun and pushes you to try your best.

Fantastic experience: Excellent instructor! Will be taking my third class and can't wait!

Fantastic experience: I have taken Italian language classes with Davide both in person and online over the past ten years. Being a native speaker, he is extremely knowledgeable about grammar, pronunciation and the many nuances of the language. He ensures that his students have a good understanding of the material covered in class before moving on to the next concept. Davide is extremely professional, but adds elements of fun to his classes. The time we spend learning with him seems to fly by. Having studied under a few instructors I can honestly say that Davide is hands down one of the best. If you're thinking about studying Italian, this is the instructor you want.

Fantastic experience: I have been taking private lessons with Davide for about 6 months now. I’ve learned more Italian in 6 months than I did for over a year with TakeLessons.com. I’m taking all my classes via Zoom and it works extremely well. Davide used to teach Italian as a professor at the university level so he applies the same structure to my classes. I have a great textbook, plus he gives me other resources I learn from (workbooks to practice different concepts, and an online site called Yabla to learn from videos, online games etc.) It’s extremely comprehensive, which really allows me to get a firm grasp of the language. I’m a single working Mom so my time is limited. Davide pushes me and encourages me which I love! But he’s flexible and doesn’t assign more than I can handle. He’s really fun to work with and such an outstanding teacher. I always look forward to my Friday night sessions with him. His classes are worth every penny. I very highly recommend him!!

Fantastic experience: I first took Italian 101 with Davide in 2005 before going to Italy for two years. That provided me with a strong introduction to Italian, which helped me during my time in Italy. After 15 years, I went back to Davide and repeated the 101 class as a review. Davide is a great teacher, whether in person or in an online class environment. He makes sure each student understands the material thoroughly and takes the time to answer any questions. I just finished the 102 class and look forward to beginning the 103 class in a few weeks, just in time for another trip back to Italy. I would highly recommend Davide's Italian classes.

Fantastic experience: Davide is a wonderful, knowledgeable and patient teacher! I've taken both his 101 and 102 classes and have enjoyed them so much, I'll be taking his 103 class next. His attention to detail and knowledge of the language is unmatched. Davide goes the extra mile for his students and really makes the classes (and learning Italian) enjoyable! I also love the flexibility in learning via Zoom, as I can attend class from anywhere.

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend Davide as a tutor and as a teacher. I have studied privately with him and as a former tutor myself, I had very high expectations, which he exceeded. He is an amazing teacher also, he is very patient and he can help anyone navigate the bridge to communicating successfully in Italian. I have just completed my first class with him and he has helped me overcome some hurdles I was facing in communicating with my Italian friends. I encourage everyone to study with him, you won't be disappointed!

Fantastic experience: Davide/Valenti Lingua truly has opened up my desire to learn Italian. My schedule is extremely busy and the flexibility he offers with his classes will work for anyone who truly wants to learn to speak Italian. His patience and knowledge of the language creates a fun learning atmosphere student are sure to succeed in. I'm excited to have finished 101 and starting Italian 102!

Fantastic experience: I started in Davide's 101 class and then transitioned to private lessons about 9 months ago. I have progressed a lot from taking private lessons and would highly recommend someone commit to private lessons if they truly want learn the language. Davide is very good at teaching grammar and many teachers will overlook this but it's important for building a foundation and being able to progress to an advanced level. Davide has a profound understanding of the language and is highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: I've learned so much from Davide in such a short amount of time––he makes the classes fun and thoroughly explains everything. The good thing about Zoom class is that you can take the classes from anywhere; I'm in Philadelphia and in a different time zone but I still make my schedule work around Davide's classes because they're worth it. Looking forward to Italian 102 next month!!

Fantastic experience: I have enjoyed taking Italian lessons from Davide for several years. He is very creative in his approach and every class provides me with the tools I need to be successful in my learning. His mastery of the language reinforces concepts that would be difficult to understand in many other settings. He is able to cater his teaching skills for beginners to advanced learners offering a wide range of methods and ideas. He is extremely patient and strives to assist every student meet their goals. Not only is it fun to learn Italian with Davide, it is also proven that learning another language has significant mental benefits. I highly recommend Davide and Valenti Lingua to anyone that wants to learn Italian or improve their existing skills.

Fantastic experience: I have studied Italian with Davide on and off since 2007. Davide is the utmost professional who provides a fun, creative, and thorough learning platform for all levels of competency. Zoom classes have been running superbly as well. I highly recommend Valentilingua!

Fantastic experience: Whether you’re a beginner to Italian or a repeat performer like me, Davide is outstanding at helping you reach your goals. I started in Davide’s Italian 101 class after a 17-year hiatus from Italian lessons. The group lessons were really fun, engaging and memorable and I was excited to continue on to 102. Due to a scheduling conflict though I switched to private lessons and WOW! Italian lessons just went to a whole new level! Davide provides really good feedback and can tailor the lessons to your specific level and needs. Not only that, he also presents the content in a way I had never experienced before in my prior years of academic study, and I find it super effective. Davide is truly a master of the language and I am really happy with the progress I’ve made in a short amount of time. Whether you are looking for group classes or private lessons, Davide makes learning Italian enjoyable and rewarding!

Fantastic experience: I have been taking private lessons with Davide for about 6 months now. Davide does a great job of keeping the lessons at my pace and I'm astounded at how much I've learned in this short time. Davide is very encouraging, very knowledgeable, and a superb teacher. The lessons are always so much fun! I always look forward to my lesson!

Fantastic experience: I just completed Italian 101 with Professor Davide at Valenti Lingua and I wanted to share what a positive and rewarding experience it was. Professor Davide is a skilled and motivational teacher who shares his love and passion for the Italian language and culture with his students! His curriculum provides a solid foundation of speaking, reading and writing in proper Italian, while including cultural tips. He provides structure and tools that aid a beginner with the necessary elements needed to succeed. Professor Davide' has an open and approachable teaching style, that never makes his students feel uncomfortable or ill at ease while learning a new language. He is witty and engaging; often sharing personal stories of growing up in an Italian family and neighborhood, all of which added humor and interest to the class. I strongly recommend anyone wanting to learn the Italian language properly to do so with Valenti Lingua. I found it to be a very rewarding experience personally, and I look forward to continuing my own Italian lessons with Valenti Lingua! Grazie Professor Davide. A presto!

Fantastic experience: I have been taking Italian language classes with Valenti Lingua for a coulple of years now. These classes are by far the best I've ever attended, and this cinema class was so much fun. Davide makes learning interesting and fun while focusing on important aspects like grammar and usage. Spending time once a week in the cinema class over the summer helped to keep the language fresh. Being able to view the films in a group then discuss was also a great way to boost listening skills as well as "thinking on the fly" skills. Bottom line: Take the cinemal class! or any of Valenti Lingua's Italian language classes for that matter.

Fantastic experience: My skill in speaking Italian has been limited to memorized phrases, often mispronounced. I really wanted to learn to speak Italian PROPERLY. Davide Valenti's Italian 101 course was recommended to me by a friend and I am so glad that I decided to take it. Such a wonderful experience! I say experience because the class was full of stories, laughter and patience! I felt like it was really the beginning of a new adventure and I can’t wait to use what I have learned! Grazie Davide!

Fantastic experience: I am in my second Italian course in Rome. To my surprise, I was placed in the advanced group after nine months with Davide. The other students in my class are in their third month of total immersion, and thanks to Davide, my grammar and base understanding of the language are stronger than theirs. I am having so much fun, my wife plans on studying with Davide too. If you want to learn to speak the language, develop an understanding of how the language works, and have fun, Valenti Lingua is your place.

Fantastic experience: Davide does a great job at breaking down the grammar and giving students like me an understanding of this language. I go to Italy quite often and I am attempting to become fluent. I am not there yet but I have no doubts that with Davide's help, I will get there. I tried to do it myself with . various apps and quite frankly I made little progress. With Davide's help, I make progress every week.

Fantastic experience: I have been taking classes with Valenti Lingua - Davide for several years. I can highly recommend this school for beginners through advanced students. Davide is a native speaker and has taught me anything and everything from casual conversation to advanced grammar. The group classes, especially the Italian Film classes are very relaxed and I was comfortable as a beginner and now as an intermediate student. I have taken private lessons and group lessons - VL è altamente raccomandato!