Viveka

I am an Italian tutor with a first-class degree from Oxford in Medieval and Modern Languages (Italian, Linguistics), as well as a native speaker of both Italian and English. I am currently pursuing an MA in History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Research focusing on the intersection of the verbal and the visual. I am an experienced translator who has worked on both literary and commercial projects in both a professional and academic setting. I specialise in Italian tutoring as well as essay writing and editing.

How I tutor

As language learning can be a stressful and even vulnerable experience, I try to create a friendly, low-pressure atmosphere where I can match the learning pace to each student’s specific needs. I focus on helping my students build conversation skills that are backed by a strong, comprehensive grammatical understanding by keeping a balance of listening, speaking, and writing activities. I make sure to integrate music, film, slang, and tidbits of social commentary to make sure students are able to place their own language learning within a contemporary context.

Overall, I aim to bring a well-rounded awareness to my student’s sessions, encouraging them to see language not just as a means of communication but as a representation of a cultural matrix!

Why I tutor

As a tutor, watching a student discover and gain confidence in a language is always hugely rewarding. My own sincere love for the subject and for the language mean that tutoring is just as fun for me as I hope it is for my students! As someone who was raised between Italy and the US and has since continued living abroad, I know how important being able to communicate confidently can be when trying to understand a place, a body of literature, or even just a social interaction. I believe that learning a language is not only personally enriching, but that it can also be an important vehicle of cultural exchange. By tutoring, I hope to nurture precisely that kind of curiosity!

Other interests

Outside the classroom, I enjoy sailing, dance, and music. I love fashion history, long hikes, and learning local folklore. In my studies, I am particularly passionate about themes of exile, the intersection of pop culture and canon, heritage politics, and all things marine!

Testimonials

I have been teaching Italian to Freddie, a mature student. Here is his video review: