Maria Conte Programs

I am a student of Italian descent who was enrolled in Maria Conte’s 

“Easy Italian for Travelers I” course in the spring of 2024.  I do not speak Italian. That fall, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Italy.  (I am now enrolled in part II of the same course.)  I found that what I had learned from Maria in the Italian I class was extremely helpful in Italy.  Yes, the basics were helpful–the vocabulary, the commonly used phrases, the information needed for touristy places such as restaurants, hotels, public transportation–but I had an unusual experience which truly showed me the value of what I had learned in this class.  One of my elderly friends was lost and missing for several hours in Rome.  I found I was able to use  my “beginner’s” knowledge of Italian to obtain assistance from guards, police, pedestrians, and taxis, etc. to find my friend.  I will forever be  glad I took this course!

Because of this trip, I missed enrolling in part II of the course last fall.  As I said, I am taking it now, but it has been a year since I took part I.  So I used Maria’s textbook, “Easy Italian for Travelers I” to review.  It has been extremely helpful and I don’t think I could have gone on to Italian II without it.  The book is so organized, thorough, and easy to understand, which is a reflection of the way Maria actually teaches the course. She is very good at simple explanations and immersing the class in actual usage of Italian instead of English.  In short she makes it fun!  I would highly recommend her courses and her books.

Thank you,

Ninette Pantano Cummings

“This course was so much more than just a language class. Each week, we looked forward to coming together to speak Italian while exploring meaningful topics around love, relationships, and how to navigate them thoughtfully. We learned how to express ourselves more clearly in Italian, but also how to recognize the difference between authentic, healthy relationships and those that aren’t. The conversations were honest, thought-provoking, and often eye-opening — all in a warm, safe, and engaging environment. A special thank-you to our instructor, Maria Conte, whose ability to guide the discussions with insightful questions and clear examples of both positive and negative dynamics made each session truly impactful. Her warmth, professionalism, and intuitive approach helped us grow both linguistically and personally. It was incredibly useful not only for our language growth but also for our self-awareness. We appreciated the space to reflect, connect, and communicate — all while gaining confidence in real-life Italian conversation. This class was interesting, enriching, and a lot of fun. We’re so grateful for the experience!”

“Having both our son and daughter in the same Italian class was a wonderful experience for our family. The instructor skillfully balanced their different learning styles, making each lesson fun and engaging for both. The mix of language, music, and creative activities kept them excited to learn every week.”