In this episode, I talk with Giulia Speziali—an Italian language teacher from Perugia—about everything from her time teaching in China to what makes Italian such a weirdly emotional language to learn and teach. We get into how people actually learn languages (hint: it’s not from grammar books), how TikTok is changing education, and why pronunciation trips people up more than anything. We also unpack Italian culture from both inside and outside—how Italians act abroad, what coffee means here, and why regional pride runs so deep. If you’ve ever tried learning Italian, taught a language, or just wondered what makes Italians tick, this one’s for you.

And if you’re looking to learn Italian with Giulia, check her out on Instagram at @italianocongiulia.