I am an Italian foreigner that has lived in the UK for the past 7 years. I have a GCSE qualification in Italian equivalent to a grade eight, and currently studying law at Birmingham City University.

Find out more about Samy

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  I speak Italian fluently because I grew up in Italy. It's the language of my home, my education, and my culture. It's a part of who I am, and now I have the joy of sharing it with others through teaching.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  One iconic figure that represents Italian culture is Leonardo da Vinci. He embodies the creativity, curiosity, and brilliance that are such an integral part of Italian heritage. He has renovated the art, science of history and reflects the depth and versatility of Italian culture.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  One phrase I love is "La dolce vita". It doesn't just mean "the sweet life" literally-it expresses a whole lifestyle, centered around enjoying the moment, good food, good company, and beauty in everyday life. It's a philosophy that I think many people fall in love with when they study Italian.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Italian is more than a means of communication-it's a bridge to culture, history, and identity. Speaking it keeps me connected to my roots and allows me to open that world up to my students. It matters to me because it helps people experience Italy not just as tourists, but as participants in its rich culture.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  One challenge learners often face is mastering verb conjugations and gender agreements, which are very different from English. But with consistency, patience, and real-life context-like conversations, songs, films, and food-it becomes much more natural and enjoyable. I always try to integrate culture into grammar to make it stick.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  I remember in school, we had a teacher who made us recite Dante's Divina Commedia aloud, complete with theatrical intonation. At the time it felt a bit much-but now I realize it sparked my appreciation for the musicality and depth of Italian. It also taught me how much tone and emotion can help with memorization and expression.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  Growing up in Italy, I didn't realize how deeply Italian culture is intertwined with regional language variation until I started traveling more within the country. A trip to Naples, for example, exposed me to dialects, sayings, and gestures that were totally different from the north. It reminded me that learning Italian is also about discovering its many regional flavors.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  I'm a Superprof because I teach with authenticity, passion, and a cultural lens. I don't just teach vocabulary or grammar-I guide students through the soul of the language, from conversation to cuisine. Having grown up with Italian and now teaching it through Superprof, I bring both native fluency and a structured, student-focused approach that gets results.