Meet your Italian teacher

Meet
Manish Penna.

I’m a certified, native Italian teacher from Palermo, Sicily. I help you use Italian with more confidence, whether you’re having your first conversation or finding more natural ways to express yourself.

MA in Teaching Italian L2CEDILS certifiedNative Italian speaker
Manish Penna, native Italian teacher from Palermo

My background

Language, education
and people.

I studied Languages and Interpreting at the University of Palermo and completed my MA in Teaching Italian L2 at the University for Foreigners of Perugia in 2019. I also hold the CEDILS certification in teaching Italian as a foreign language.

I’ve been teaching Italian online since 2019, with more than seven years of experience and over 7,000 teaching hours. I work with learners at different levels, from building the foundations to making advanced Italian more natural and precise.

From 2021 to 2023, I was a Teach for Italy Fellow. I later worked with Save the Children in Palermo. These experiences strengthened my attention to each learner’s starting point and to creating an environment where everyone has space to participate.

Read student reviews on italki

How I teach

Italian you can use
in your own life.

Your goals and interests shape our lessons. We might practise a conversation for a trip to Italy, explore a topic you care about or work through a grammar point that keeps getting in your way. Guided conversations, role plays and clear explanations help you put what you learn into practice.

As you speak, I take notes on what you do well, useful corrections, pronunciation and new expressions. We use that feedback to make your next steps clear while keeping the conversation moving.

With private lessons, your personal student area brings together lesson information, recorded payments, vocabulary, flashcards and your own materials. You can return to what we’ve worked on and keep practising between lessons.

Why the Speaking Club

Make speaking Italian
part of your week.

Many learners understand Italian and know plenty of words, but want more opportunities to use them in conversation. I’m creating the Speaking Club for learners from A2 upwards, with groups formed around similar levels and compatible availability. It’s a regular place to practise, meet other learners and grow more comfortable expressing yourself.

I guide each session with preparation material, questions, group discussion and time in pairs. Everyone has opportunities to contribute, followed by feedback on useful language, pronunciation and corrections. I want you to feel supported, take part actively and leave with Italian you can use again.

Discover how the Speaking Club works

Beyond the lessons

Sicily, music
and a little curiosity.

I’ve lived in Perugia, Turin and Valencia, and I speak English and Spanish. Using other languages in everyday life has made me appreciate how much confidence grows through real exchanges with people.

Outside teaching, I play guitar, sing and write songs. I’ve released a song in Sicilian, Si ti taliu. Italian, Sicilian and music are all ways I connect with people and share a little of where I come from.

A conversation worth making time for

Give your Italian a voice.

Conversation Club · A2+

Find your conversation group.

Tell me your level and choose every time that works for you, or suggest another. I form groups from the requests I receive, matching similar levels and compatible availability.

Preferred availability (choose all that work)

All listed times are Italy time (CET/CEST). Your local time may change when clocks change. These are preferences; dates are confirmed individually.

I’ll use these details to reply about your request. Your enquiry is visible only in my private inbox. Privacy notice

Club payment is due at least 48 hours before the session. During the introductory phase, the minimum is temporarily two paid participants. Any change will be stated before booking and payment. Booking and cancellation conditions.