What they say about me

Nicla’s enthusiasm for teaching her language is second to none.Her lessons are inspirational and she has understanding and appreciation of her students' difficulties. I would award her 10+ out of 10!
Glenda Boddington (retired teacher)
Conversation class in a group, intermediate level, face to face and online
I am a pensioner studying Intermediate Italian on Zoom with Nicla. Not only is she an excellent teacher but she conveys her lessons in a warm and friendly manner which is why she has so many loyal students.
Jackie T
Conversation class in a group, intermediate level, face to face and online
I've done Italian lessons and conversation groups with Nicla for several years. The first course was B2 (upper intermediate) before going to live and work in Italy for a few years. That course was really helpful in every way. It was well structured with a good balance of different activities. It extended my knowledge, including grammar, so that I could speak confidently on a range of familiar and unfamiliar topics, beyond the basics. There was lots of opportunity to speak Italian in class, and to ask questions when I was unsure. And it gave me a basis for further independent study and practice. Later, when I moved to Italy, I often noticed that phrases and structures that I'd learned with Nicla were exactly what I needed in daily life; so the content of the course was well-judged. Since I returned from Italy to England, I've done other courses and conversation groups with Nicla, both face-to-face and online. The online sessions via Zoom were great during Covid Lockdown, and since then I've found that online conversation sessions fit well around working life. She picks an interesting range of topics about Italian life, cities, news, history, art and so on; sometimes topics that I wouldn't have looked at on my own. She is obviously very knowledgeable. Nicla's teaching style is friendly, respectful and patient, as well as clear and professional. She encourages a classroom culture where it's OK to make mistakes and ask questions without embarrassment, so that students build confidence as well as knowledge. And students clearly enjoy her lessons.
TG ( Teacher of Maths and ESOL/English)
Conversation class in a group, advanced level, face to face and online
I participated in weekly 90 minute Italian conversation lessons with Nicla for a year, with a small multinational group all of whom could speak Italian fairly well. Nicla managed the course material, building it in collaboration with the participants as far as topics go, but supplying all her own materials. The time was very well structured, lots of opportunities for speaking, reading out loud. She kept the energy levels up with quizzes, keeping people moving the classroom and with the great choice of materials for the topics. The grammar was woven into the topics and never obtrusive. Pronunciation corrections were frequent, but subtle! Outside the classroom, homework was always set and made available soon after the class, and always reviewed in the next class. Overall, I learnt not only a lot of new Italian, but also of Italian culture, food, film, books, and modern history. I would not hesitate to recommend Nicla as a teacher in general and a teacher of Italian in particular.
Malcom T.
Conversation class in a group, advanced level, face to face
I have been studying Italian with Nicla for 3 years. I am a retired Local Government manager, and have been through all the stages of State education in the UK: Primary, Secondary, University Undergraduate and Postgraduate. Nicla is simply the best teacher I have ever had. I have always found Nicla to:
  • be well-prepared for the lessons, on top of her subject
  • present interesting, informative and enjoyable lessons and homework
  • engage well with the us and ensure equal opportunity to participate, not that easy in Zoom lessons
  • be mindful of the differing needs of our class members and interacts with us with tact, sensitivity and warmth
  • be creative. Having flair and creativity are major strengths of Nicla
  • be astute in working with adults. For example, Nicla gets us to vote on the topics we will explore in the class-those with the most votes are what we will study. And, because we the class have chosen them we are already positively disposed to learn. And, can't complain 'what's the point of this?' Because it was our choice.
The main thing is that because Nicla makes the class fun, we all have a good time!
Alyson B.
Conversation class in a group, intermediate level, online
I am a mature student of Italian and a retired recruitment consultant. I had previously completed an Italian GCSE and A/S level at FE Colleges. Nicla took over the Advanced Italian course at the Rottingdean Whiteway Centre in the Autumn of 2019 and has been my tutor since then. During lockdown, she successfully took our class online, mastering Zoom, adding new students and expanding the range and content of the course. Nicla is especially good at discovering and using online teaching resources and materials as well as getting her students to contribute and to speak Italian amongst themselves. I have never been an especially confident Italian speaker but Nicla has given me the opportunity to develop my speaking skills and come to a much better understanding of contemporary Italian culture. Her classes are always enjoyable.
Patrick A.
Conversation class in a group, advanced level, online
I have been part of Nicla’s conversation class in Rottingdean, near Brighton. Nicla always planned each term thoroughly, agreeing with us what topics we would like to cover, and integrating them with Italian vocabulary and grammar. Even though our classes had to be online Nicla always arranged for the class to meet occasionally in person to strengthen the ties we had with each other and stimulate conversation. During lessons she always gave us the right amount of time to talk to each other, maintaining a watch on us to ensure we did not slip into English too often! She also encouraged us to write short pieces for presentation to the other attendees and changed the structure of lessons occasionally to keep us on our toes. I have no hesitation in recommending her classes to anyone wishing to improve their Italian.
AS
Conversation class in a group, intermediate level, online
È già qualche anno che studio con Nicla. Le lezioni sono sempre interessanti, e Nicla crea un ambiente accogliente e sicuro per praticare la nuova lingua. C'è sempre divertimento e risate, ed è così che si impara bene! Come insegnante, è bravissima, ce la mette tutta per trovare risorse ed informazione che interessano al gruppo, invece di usare solo libri di testo. Parliamo sempre di cose che ci interessano, e quindi si imparano cose utili e stimolanti. Voglio continuare le lezioni con Nicla, è di gran lunga la migliore insegnante!
Barbara
Conversation class in a group, advanced level, face to face and online
Nicla Mazzoni is a really fantastic teacher of Italian. She prepares her sessions very thoroughly to include a mix of conversation, listening,reading and occasional grammar when relevant. She creates a warm and supportive atmosphere in her groups. I have enjoyed learning Italian with her so very much and have learned an immense amount. During lockdown, she successfully took our class online, mastering Zoom, adding new students and expanding the range and content of the course. Nicla is especially good at discovering and using online teaching resources and materials as well as getting her students to contribute and to speak Italian amongst themselves. I have never been an especially confident Italian speaker but Nicla has given me the opportunity to develop my speaking skills and come to a much better understanding of contemporary Italian culture. Her classes are always enjoyable.
Maxine
Conversation class in a group, intermediate level, online
I have been fortunate enough to be a student of Nicla's for 3 years as a member of her Advanced Conversation class. She is an excellent teacher who prepares her material thoroughly and matches it precisely to the needs of her students. Her classes are both stimulating and enjoyable; she is inspiring and always encouraging. She uses technology creatively. I would recommend her wholeheartedly. Liz Foster (retired English teacher)
Liz Foster (retired English teacher)
Conversation class in a group, advanced level, online
I enrolled in Nicla’s advanced conversation class three years in a row and learned so much! Her course is a unique combination of informal learning and grammatical pills (on repeat prescription) to treat our shortcomings. I feel more confident when I travel to Italy, more informed too, able to read novels, to strike up a conversation and “do as the Romans do”.
Valerie H., writer.
Conversation class in a group, advanced level, online
I have studied Italian under Nicla Mazzoni for several years, most recently at the HigherIntermediate level. Her patience with, and kindness towards those of us struggling with foreign language learning, combined with her quirky sense of humour, make time spent in her classes a pure delight.I have no hesitation in recommending Nicla as an educator, most warmly.
David G-W
Conversation class in a group, intermediate level, online

Preparation for GCSE and A level exams

Nicla recently taught my daughter Italian to help prepare her for the Edexcel iGCSE. All lessons were carried out online. My daughter had nothing but good things to say about Nicla as a teacher and the way she conducted the lessons. She was always happy to attend lessons and felt motivated and encouraged by Nicla's teaching style and feedback. As a parent I truly appreciated Nicla's efficient communication with both myself and my daughter. All lessons were well planned and specific to my daughter's needs, homework was sent out and reviewed on time, lesson timetables were agreed in advance and all log-in details for the class were sent ready for a precise start time. Nicla herself was always enthusiastic, happy to provide me with feedback on my daughter's progress and a pleasure to deal with.
Cloee C
Exam preparation for Edexcel iGCSE Italian
Cara Nicla, ti ringrazio con tutto il cuore per aver seguito Francesca con il suo GCSE di Italiano. Non ho mai visto mia figlia cosi felice di studiare ed il merito e' tutto tuo che con competenza e simpatia sei riuscita a mantenere alto e costante il suo interesse. Anche mia figlia Felicia, che aveva studiato con te cinque anni fa' aveva avuto un'esperienza super positiva ed entrambe hanno passato gli esami brillantemente. GRAZIE, GRAZIE, GRAZIE! Sei una persona speciale e ti ricorderemo sempre con grande affetto!
Roberta Ottone
Italian GCSE online
All’età di 16 anni ho iniziato a fare lezioni ogni settimana con Nicla per un anno per preparare l’esame di Italian A Level privatamente. Facevamo un’ora alla settimana, Nicla ha sempre preparato le lezioni benissimo, ho imparato tante cose e in un modo molto interessante! Mi ha preparato benissimo per le quattro parti dell’esame -speaking, listening, reading and writing - che conosce in modo molto dettaglio. Il mio italiano è migliorato tantissimo con lei - in generale e non solo per l’esame. Nicla è una maestra di italiano bravissima e la raccomando molto, con lei sono riuscita a prendere i massimi voti all’esame, A*!
Lily Somaini
Italian A level exam