About Us
We are a dynamic team of two dedicated Italian instructors, each bringing years of expertise in the art of teaching Italian as a second language.
Both of us share a common background - we were born and raised in Italy, and we currently call the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area our home. Teaching Italian isn't just our profession; it’s our passion. Our journey in the world of language instruction has been an exciting one. Over the years, we have had the privilege of guiding students of all ages and backgrounds in their pursuit of Italian language proficiency.
What sets us apart is our shared experience and certification as CELI examiners. This unique background provided the inspiration for a special endeavor – Maestrale.
At Maestrale, our approach is not only to instruct but to guide and support. We want you to walk into your exam room fully aware of what to expect, and most importantly, with the unwavering confidence that stems from a well-structured preparation journey.
Welcome to Maestrale - Centro Lingua Italiana, where your success is our success!
We love teaching Italian. But don’t take our word for it.
"The Holy Godmother of Celi/B1
From the very first lesson, I knew that I was working with the right person. Valentina made learning fun and knew exactly what was needed in order to pass… and I did, scoring 2 points below “excellent”. Thanks to Valentina, learning Italian has become a part of daily life. Amazing teacher!”
– George D.
“Valentina, We are celebrating this morning to discover that the three of us, Maria, Gina, and I, passed the exam! Thank you for your expert coaching. It made all the difference.”
– Bonnie L.
"Valentina is a fantastic teacher! She is kind and patient and encourages students to go at their own pace, so that learning is not stressful. I have taken both private and group lessons with her. Her many years of teaching show in how skillfully she adjusts her teaching style to best suit the learning style of her students. I especially loved her customized tools and resources that allowed me to learn in new and different ways. Valentina is truly a gem!"
– Nancy A.
“There are as many different ways of learning a language as there are students who want to learn one, and Francesca understands this implicitly. Her instruction is engaging, warm, down-to-earth, done in an approachable manner and with incredible patience. Her tolerance for poorly spoken Italian is amazing—she picks up very quickly on what her students are trying to say and corrects them gently, creating an environment that encourages her students to attempt to communicate.”
–T.P.
“Thank you for your fantastic CELI 2 preparation course! I passed it!”
– Betti C.
“Francesca is a wonderful Italian teacher
She is organized, patient, and very prepared for every session. She tailors the material to her students’ needs, and the lesson is structured differently each week, making it more enjoyable to study. Thanks to Francesca, I felt prepared to take (and pass!) the CELI exam. I would definitely recommend Francesca to anyone looking to pass the CELI exam or improve their Italian. She cares a lot about her students and wants to see them reach their goals, whatever they may be!”
— Rachel G.
"I've been a student of Francesca's for over two years; she's an incredibly patient teacher with a deep understanding of language pedagogy. She has a passion for all things Italian and it's a pleasure learning with her!"
–Lenna
“Cara Valentina, I just randomly logged into the website and found that I had passed the exam with a B! You are a wizard to be able to get this old fool up to level B1. As you can tell, I am over the moon. Thank you so much for all your guidance and care.”
–William S.
“I would like to thank you for all the help you've given me. Thank you so much for all your assistance, for the lessons, and for your patience. I am very happy, very happy. Thank you very much again.”
– Bárbara G.
“Francesca’s way of teaching leaves us, adult senior students, always wanting to know more. She’s motivating and teaches concepts in a clear, fun, and engaging way. Francesca is also an empathetic teacher, who understands the challenges of learning a second language; she is skilled at finding tools, examples, and other resources to answer our questions and help us grasp the language.”
– Eleonora S.
“Hi Valentina! I passed!!!!!! It’s entirely because of you. You are an amazing teacher and had such great strategies for the test! I have been meaning to write a review and will do so soon. But I just wanted to thank you soooo much for your help and support!”
–Alida
“I passed Valentina!!! Thank you for all your help! I DID IT! I am so so so excited. Thank you! I am looking forward to reconnecting. GRAZIE!”
–Jessica A.